# Why Make Something Simple and Easy, when You can Use Complexity For No Good Reason? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 15, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488 "2008-03-15T19:11:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/21 "2008-03-16T02:36:42Z")
[QUOTE=LouisB] The end is supposed to go down the back. If it goes down the front, it is wrong. [/QUOTE] And, immoral. Bob ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/22 "2008-03-16T03:49:53Z")
Good God I hate the toilet paper holder model presented here as the first option. Somehow I lack precisely whatever agility skill it is that’s required to load and unload one of those things. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/23 "2008-03-16T06:14:32Z")
That japanese TP holder is great. Too bad it’s made out of plastic… but with a little style, and quality production materials, I could see myself installing one. And everyone knows the TP rolls down the front… unless yer some kind of philistine? ---
**Author:** ![Robin\_Goodfellow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Robin\_Goodfellow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robin_Goodfellow)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/24 "2008-03-16T06:22:02Z")
I must chime in again, to agree with the OP this time - TP should roll down the front. Why would you want it further away from you? And now, we must move to GD so this critical topic may have the attention it deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/25 "2008-03-16T06:47:39Z")
[QUOTE=Robin Goodfellow] … And now, we must move to GD so this critical topic may have the attention it deserves. [/QUOTE] Not sure about “topic”. More of a “bottim-ic”, really, wouldn’t you say? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/26 "2008-03-16T07:04:39Z")
And a belated welcome to **Robin Goodfellow**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/27 "2008-03-16T09:47:13Z")
The best holder I’ve ever seen, and I can’t find a googleable picture, was basically a flat plate coming out from the wall, with a vertical post on it. That’s it; the roll just sat over the post. Think of a 90 degree twist on the hook model. Can’t get much simpler than that. I’ve seen a million paper towel holders that are the same model (a weighted base with vertical post, just drop the core around it), but I’ve only seen the TP one once, and can’t even remember where it was. So…should the paper roll around the left or the right? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/28 "2008-03-16T14:10:33Z")
[QUOTE=TimeWinder] So…should the paper roll around the left or the right? [/QUOTE] You do realize, of course, that endeavouring to answer this question will cause a tear in the time-space continuum? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/29 "2008-03-16T15:03:43Z")
[QUOTE=TimeWinder] So…should the paper roll around the left or the right? [/QUOTE] My head just imploded. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/30 "2008-03-16T15:25:33Z")
[QUOTE=TimeWinder] The best holder I’ve ever seen, and I can’t find a googleable picture, was basically a flat plate coming out from the wall, with a vertical post on it. That’s it; the roll just sat over the post. Think of a 90 degree twist on the hook model. Can’t get much simpler than that. [/QUOTE] [It’s a bit pricey!](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100057357&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100057357&cm_mmc=1hd.com2froogle-_-product_feed-_-D29X-_-100057357)😛 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/31 "2008-03-16T20:21:36Z")
I’d like to get one of those! It seems like the answer to one of the most humourous relationship grievances I have ever heard. This weekend, my fiancee took me to task for not changing the toilet paper. She was met with some protest, because leaving an empty cardboard roll on the spindle is one of those things that I would _never_ do. During our conversation about this state of affairs, I let her know that in my experience I find the roll empty about twice a week, and replace it as a matter of course - even though it is statistically rare for me to actually _use_ any paper on these occassions - I just don’t like to leave it empty. She says she leaves this task for me because the spring-spindle is difficult to operate. Yes, by her own account she was upset because she found the spindle as she left it, presumably because I hadn’t been in the bathroom in the interval. And she wouldn’t back down. Bless. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/32 "2008-03-16T22:57:23Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] [It’s a bit pricey!](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100057357&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100057357&cm_mmc=1hd.com2froogle-_-product_feed-_-D29X-_-100057357)😛 [/QUOTE] Well, you have to expect that; the technology probably took years to develop. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/33 "2008-03-16T23:00:44Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] [It’s a bit pricey!](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100057357&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100057357&cm_mmc=1hd.com2froogle-_-product_feed-_-D29X-_-100057357)😛 [/QUOTE] WTF? Is that a typo or something? Or is it because it’s supposed to recreate an air of “antiquity?” ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/34 "2008-03-16T23:53:35Z")
[QUOTE=BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed] WTF? Is that a typo or something? Or is it because it’s supposed to recreate an air of “antiquity?” [/QUOTE] I have no idea. The price kinda took me by surprise, too. Then I noticed it was by Kohler, a brand pretty well known for their grossly inflated prices for ugly crap I wouldn’t install in a doghouse. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/35 "2008-03-17T00:17:39Z")
[QUOTE=LouisB] The end is supposed to go down the back. If it goes down the front, it is wrong. [/QUOTE] You couldn’t be wronger on your wrongest day with a wronging machine. Phred probably lets it hang down the back, that’s all I’m sayin’. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/36 "2008-03-17T00:22:19Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] I have no idea. The price kinda took me by surprise, too. Then I noticed it was by Kohler, a brand pretty well known for their grossly inflated prices for ugly crap I wouldn’t install in a doghouse. [/QUOTE] I dunno, if I found something that for $341 could get my dog to wipe his butt I might consider it a sound investment. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/37 "2008-03-17T00:42:37Z")
[QUOTE=LouisB] The end is supposed to go down the back. If it goes down the front, it is wrong. [/QUOTE] Blasphemy!! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/38 "2008-03-17T00:57:05Z")
[QUOTE=Stratocaster] Seems to me the pointy part should point backwards, then the normal motion for extricating the paper wouldn’t fling the roll anywhere that gave it any ideas. [/QUOTE] Exactly. The hook-style holder in my folks’ old powder room pointed to the front. Good lord was that thing annoying. I actually used to go upstairs to use the bathroom because I really just wanted to pee and wipe and be done with it. I didn’t want to have to chase the damn roll all over the floor and rewind it. And I just really want **LouisB** to come back and tell us what planet he’s from. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/39 "2008-03-17T01:08:57Z")
[QUOTE=cmyk] What is going on in your guys’es bathrooms that you need to make sure the TP is welded into place!\ [/QUOTE] [Cats](http://www.actioncat.com/quickcard.html), that’s what. Bad enough that they think the roll of toilet paper (or paper towels) is nifty for sharpening claws. Worse if they pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488/40 "2008-03-17T04:49:09Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] Blasphemy!! [/QUOTE] I did the back my whole life (just liked the aesthetic appeal of it), and then someone pointed out to me that that caused the TP to rest against the wall. I’m not so much a germ-o-phobe that it bothered me all that much, but it was a reason anyway. And since I didn’t really much care, I switched. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-something-simple-and-easy-when-you-can-use-complexity-for-no-good-reason/441488.md?page=3)