Achievements in Gustatory Design: OCD Brunch Set

Because we live in a universe where some measurements can't be precise enough, some Dutch industrial designer named Ivo Vos decided it'd be a good idea to make a set of brunch accessories that place emphasis on the degree to which a perfect, symmetrical brunch is achieved. There's a bread slicer that puts the bread in direct aim of a vise and a knife-holding bracket; a toaster that "fires" the toast directly at a plate; flatware with a graph paper imprint on it (to align it perfectly); a contraption (is there any other word for it?) that measures the exact amount of milk and sugar that would go into a prospective cup of coffee; and most awesomely, perhaps, a teapot that doesn't measure how much liquid you pour, but instead, measures the height at which you pour the tea from.

It looks like the aim of the project—and “products”—is to point out the absurdity of neuroses, as per the quotes littered throughout Vos’s page: “A well known theory in psychology states that neuroses are a result of the lack of real dangers that result from the high level of well-being in our western society. This project explores post-functional products that address the desire for skill, struggle, rituals, perfection, preparation and anticipation—qualities lost when we indulge in the comforts of prozac technology.” He then notes, “Prozac technology, like the popular drug, provides instant well-being, comfort and happiness without the effort or struggle.” A nice post-modern gut shot to Western Civilization and all the stupid, petty things that make us stress, right? Right.

But three things, dear Ivo: (1) OCD is linked to brain activity, (2) we get it—we have time for OCD because we’re not, say, a war-ravaged, starving, developing nation with survival needs, but once we “develop” those nations out of chaos, won’t they get OCD, too? Finally, (3), you could probably make a few bucks here selling these things. Go take the cash and save Africa, you hyperbolic industrial-design punk. But seriously: we want the bread launcher.