I was eating some chocolate when I imagined a world where Hershey’s was widely accepted, even by elitists, as the best chocolate.
Is consumer elitism just a facade for pretentious contrarians? Or are there things where even most snobs agree with the masses?
Also, I mean that the product is intrinsically considered to be the best option. I’m not considering social products where the user network makes the experience.
Edit: I was not eating Hershey’s. Hershey’s being the best chocolate is a bizarro universe in this hypothetical.


It’s of course a bit fuzzy what The Best really means, but I’d say that toothpaste would be an excellent example, for I’ve never encountered anyone, be they laymen, dentists or health nuts, arguing that there is some other toothpaste that’s really better in any meaningful way than the offerings from the big best-selling mainstream brands.
Fun fact, aside from the fluoride, you actually don’t need a paste at all. Just the friction does the important part.
Just avoid the charcoal toothpastes and brushes. That’s a stupid trend of its own and you’ll do more damage to your teeth that way.
On the other hand, it doesn’t really matter. As long as it contains flourite, all toothpastes are fine.
Friendly correction for someone who frequently messes it up, it’s fluoride.
Also charcoal toothpaste should be avoided.
Out of curiosity, why?
I’ve always assumed it was some fad, but I never assumed it was harmful (maybe I’m just naive).
It’s harder than tooth enamel and can cause erosion.
Wait, what? They’re not putting diamonds in there. Charcoal is softer than graphite, which is a soft mineral to start with.
Charcoal ranges from 50-100 on the Rockwell scale while tooth enamel is around 51.
Charcoal can also contain silica since trees absorb it, which is definitely harder than enamel.