Mindless consumption trashing. A brief context to set expectations.
Mindless consumption trashing: Quick notes
In this week’s comments update, readers are discussing the Lego Brick Clog – a pair of oversized rectangular shoes designed by toymaker Lego and footwear brand Crocs.
The bright-red shoes were designed to resemble giant Lego bricks, complete with four branded Lego studs and an angular version of Crocs’s standard heel straps.
Lego and Crocs launch multi-year partnership with shoes shaped like giant bricks
“Just the pair of sandals I was looking for…”
Commenters questioned the practicality of the shoes. “Ironically, these would be best used for navigating a playroom floor strewn with Lego pieces,” suggested Steve Hassler.
“But are they more comfortable than stepping on a Lego brick?” asked Andy Enock.
For Jess, the Lego Brick Clog was “just the pair of sandals I was looking for…uncomfortable, hard to walk in and elegant!”
Other readers took a more blunt view. “Our relentless, mindless consumption is trashing the planet,” argued RK.
Roelatmac, though, reckoned that “a little sense of humour when reading this kind of news helps.”
One commenter who was able to see the design’s potential was Richardvahrman, writing “shame there are no corresponding holes in the soles – would open up endless possibilities.”
Neom’s Asian Winter Games postponed indefinitely
“And this surprised a total of zero people”
Also on commenters radars’ this week was the news that the Olympic Council of Asia has “confirmed the postponement of the 2029 edition” of the winter games, which were set to be hosted in the unbuilt Trojena ski resort in Neom, Saudi Arabia.
“Good news!” exclaimed Pierresgn. “There’s no snow anyway, and the shape of the dam is a bit worrying,” they said.
Meanwhile, Souji declared “and this surprised a total of zero people.”
Shania P also wasn’t surprised, writing “Right through 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, there were people who kept insisting that this project would be ready to host the games in 2029 – the real fools are the people who ignored their gut instincts and opted instead to believe them.”
For commenter Vbsa, “there is something crazy about this project, beyond of course how crazy and impossible it is.”
They went on to suggest that “the real craziness is that it shows the power of the current worldwide oligarchy to spend incredible amounts of money and release tons of positive PR and repress negative opinions about their pet projects without real pushback for years.”
Felt completes “house for life” for retired couple in Belgium
“Proves that simple design is the best design”
Another story that got readers talking this week was an accessible home topped with a large copper-clad roof, completed by Belgian architecture studio Felt for a retired couple in Ghent.
Some readers marvelled at the design, with The Discreet Architect writing “if I live in something this nice when I retire, I will be very happy.”
They reflected that “so many of the interesting houses on this site come from Belgium: maybe I should relocate!”
Steve Hassler was also an admirer, saying “this is really very nice – proves that simple design is the best design.”
However, not everyone was quite so sure. “Designing a house with a spindly spiral staircase for a retired couple and calling it a ‘house for life’ is definitely a choice,” wrote Vbsa. “I must have had a different education in what ageing in place looks like.”
Comments update
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Tiny tip — This feels very homey and real — love it. Saving it.