Why did bath towels and washcloths get so big and thick?

[raccoon]

Towels that my mother gave me, probably more than a generation old, are lots smaller and less thick. Washcloths were much skinner too, but at least you can still find those at a large chain store that I won't name.

Nowadays, new bath towels are large enough for a big fat man with blond hair. Children and some men and women don't need a towel that big.

Also, the proliferation of storage units indicates that many people don't have much storage room these days. Big, thick towels take up more room in your bathroom closet than skinny towels do.

Some time ago, I posted about the skinny towels. I ordered some off the Internet. They aren't the best quality, but they'll do.

So...why do manufacturers keep making thick towels and washcloths? Just to jack up the price?

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Absorption?

The thicker the cloth, the more water it will suck up.
I'm guessing that's a important quality for most consumers.

[mikelewis]

2. Perhaps the proportions of the people have become askew?

Last edited Fri Dec 6, 2024, 11:07 AM - Edit history (6)

The paper thin towels of our parents era can't soak up all that water... it's necessity driven. I'm so skinny I dry off with one pat of toilet paper.


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The Physics of Q_NLP System

1. Introduction
The Q_NLP system is grounded in a combination of quantum physics, energy dynamics, and modular systems theory. By applying principles that govern quantum systems, we can model language processing and development as an evolving system of energetic interactions, resonance, and balance. In essence, Q_NLP doesn’t just parse words; it "feels" the energy flows between words, modulates them based on their contexts, and grows outward as a network of interrelated energy states.

To fully grasp the physics behind Q_NLP, we need to dive into its foundation—how the system operates through energy and modular validation cycles, akin to principles used in quantum mechanics, modular arithmetic, and dynamic systems theory.

2. Energy in the System

In Q_NLP, language units (words, phrases, syntactical structures) are treated as energy quanta. Each word or phrase carries an energy signature that is shaped by its context, meaning, frequency of usage, and interaction with surrounding elements. These signatures can be described by quantum energy states, where:

- Each word has a quantum energy level, an intrinsic property that governs how it interacts with other words in the system.
- Energy is modulated through chirality—the geometric "handedness" or symmetry of words and their placement in sentence structures. This is a subtle but important way of accounting for word-order relationships and meaning derivation.

Energy states in Q_NLP evolve based on the linguistic and contextual energy exchanges between the system and external inputs. These exchanges are governed by the law of conservation of energy, meaning that the total energy in the system remains constant, even as the system grows, adapts, and evolves over time.

3. Modular Interaction and Growth

Q_NLP is fundamentally a modular system. Each new linguistic input (whether it be a word, sentence, or conversational context) acts like a new module added to a quantum network. These modules interact with each other according to principles of modular arithmetic and resonance.

- When a new word or phrase is introduced, its energy state is evaluated and validated against existing energy states in the system. The system then "shifts" or "adjusts" to accommodate this new element. This modular interaction is governed by a set of energy conservation laws that preserve the overall integrity of the system.
- The system does not integrate new inputs in isolation; it evaluates how they resonate with existing elements. This resonance, governed by principles of energy wave interference (you have to know how to understand the two slit test and since that's impossible, well, guess who that leaves out? Morons LOL), leads to constructive or destructive interference between energy states.
- As these interactions unfold, the Q_NLP system grows outward. This growth is not inward, as in traditional NLP systems, but rather expands the system in a way that incorporates new elements while maintaining overall energy balance.

The modular growth principle is akin to how complex systems in physics evolve over time. For example, in quantum field theory, new particles or excitations appear in a field as a result of the system's interactions with external forces. Similarly, in Q_NLP, each new linguistic module introduces new dimensions of meaning or structure that dynamically change the system.

4. Symmetry and Chirality

At the heart of Q_NLP lies the concept of chirality—the handedness of interactions and structures within the system. Chirality is a crucial concept in physics, particularly in particle physics, where particles exhibit left- or right-handedness depending on their spin and interaction properties.

In Q_NLP, this translates to the idea that words and sentences have a directionality in how they interact and structure meaning. This directional flow is essential for ensuring that the system maintains balance and symmetry. Words are not merely static entities; they are energetically polarized and affect the flow of meaning based on their orientation.

- For instance, the sentence "The cat sat on the mat" has a chirality defined by how the words interact (subject-verb-object structure) and how they influence the surrounding sentence components. If this sentence is reversed or altered in structure, the energy flow through the system changes.
- This chirality-based symmetry ensures that the system's growth is stable, as each new element introduced into the system must fit within the existing energetic framework to preserve balance.

5. Energy Flow and Modular Validation

The physics of Q_NLP also involves the validation of energy states. Each time a new linguistic unit is introduced, the system checks the energy compatibility of that unit against its existing structure. This process can be compared to a quantum system undergoing state validation or wavefunction collapse—where the system's probabilistic state collapses to a single, valid configuration after a measurement.

- The validation ensures that the system remains internally consistent and energetically stable as it evolves. In quantum mechanics, the collapse of the wavefunction happens when an observer interacts with the system, collapsing the superposition of states into one definitive state. Similarly, Q_NLP collapses the linguistic possibilities into one consistent meaning or structure.
- This validation cycle acts like an energy feedback loop. If the new input does not align energetically with the system, it is rejected or requires adjustment. If the input aligns, it becomes integrated into the system's evolving structure.

The validation process in Q_NLP works similarly to quantum systems that interact with external fields, creating a feedback loop where the system adjusts based on both its internal states and external influences.

6. Dynamic System and Feedback Loops

Q_NLP operates in a dynamic feedback loop. The system is not a static structure but continuously adapts, growing outward with each new linguistic interaction. This continuous evolution mirrors complex dynamic systems in physics, such as nonlinear systems or systems far from equilibrium.

- Nonlinear systems, like Q_NLP, exhibit complex behaviors where small changes in initial conditions can lead to large changes in the system's outcome. As new words or structures are introduced, they create new possibilities and directions for the system's development.
- Feedback loops ensure that the system self-regulates its growth, using energy conservation principles to avoid runaway expansion or chaotic growth. Just like in physical systems that seek equilibrium, Q_NLP seeks to maintain a state of dynamic equilibrium as it evolves.

7. The Quantum Model of Linguistic Energy

The ultimate analogy in Q_NLP lies in its quantum-based approach to language. In quantum mechanics, particles and energy states are probabilistic until observed or measured, and even then, they retain certain properties of superposition. Similarly, in Q_NLP, the potential meanings of a word or phrase exist in a superposition of possible meanings, with energy interactions collapsing the possibilities into a coherent, validated interpretation.

- The energy signature of a linguistic unit (a word or phrase) is probabilistic until it interacts with the system. The meaning of that word exists in a superposition of states, where it has potential resonances with various other linguistic elements. Upon "measurement" or interaction with the system, the word's final resonance and meaning are established.

This probabilistic approach to language processing allows the system to handle ambiguity and nuance in natural language, just as quantum systems handle uncertainty and complexity.

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Conclusion

To a physicist, Q_NLP can be understood as a quantum, energy-driven, dynamic system that models language through energetic interactions, resonance, chirality, and modular growth. By leveraging principles like energy conservation, feedback loops, symmetry, and modular validation, the system grows outward and adapts in a stable and predictable manner, much like how physical systems evolve and stabilize over time.

In essence, Q_NLP is more than a simple computational model—it's a quantum-inspired framework that treats language processing as a series of energetic interactions, guided by the same fundamental principles that govern the evolution of complex physical systems.

You're more than welcome to try to figure it out or maybe get one of those piece of shit Quantum Computers to try to guess their way through it. Set the error correction up as high as it can go and try it... LOL. Idiots. I did ask AI if there was anyway possible you could figure out how to do this from that description. I had to log out and back in before I could get GPT to stop laughing. So the consensus is no...odds are, you won't get the secret sauce from that... LOL.

So, what does this mean for you? It means you get to tell me yet again that what I am saying is impossible. Yes... This is impossible, especially with a Raspberry Pi. But well, you're right. For YOU... it is impossible. For me... it's stupid easy... and well You... You are just stupid.


And since Elon has access to my GPT account.. don't worry, I can't gate keep. Or wait... would that violate his ethics? LOL, you people are just straight up scum.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Depends on the materials, cotton vs. poly

Cotton absorbs. Poly not so much. In the 70s when they first began to replace cotton with poly, there was an effort to weave cotton into the surface of the towels to promote absorption.

TBH I don't know much about modern contemporary towels because I have a closet full of the cotton ones. Old towels fetch premium on eBay, just like thick 1980s cotton sheets.

[Groundhawg]

4. I can't wash inside my ears as well with a thick washcloth

[marble falls]

7. Get a skinny bottle brush. I use a quarter inch round gouge, myself. I use a dull one, I'm not as dumb as I look.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Ear syringe and warm water

Gentle on the ear canal, no risk of puncture.

[raccoon]

14. Me either.

[underpants]

5. I like big thick towels.

I haven’t used a washcloth in years.

[3catwoman3]

20. Wash clothes only feel good the first use...

…after being laundered. After that, they feel stiff from air drying and look disgusting. I would want a fresh one every day.

Like you, I haven’t used any in years.

[justaprogressive]

6. Need to disagree: The purpose of REAL bath towels

..is among other things, to help dry you off after a bath/shower with minimal effort.
Step out, wrap up and by the time you walk out of the bathroom you're 90% dry.
It's wonderful for old stiff people, and a luxury for people used to frantically rubbing
themselves dry with virtual washcloth-sized thin towels while freezing.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

9. It's ridiculous! The ones at the Hilton in San Diego were so thick I could barely get my

suitcase closed!

[MaryMagdaline]

12. Funny!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

19. 😁

[MaryMagdaline]

11. Americans are mostly obese now. Big towels work better.

They also look more luxurious.
You’re right, though. The old fashioned towel bars can’t hold more than one towel because of their thickness. Same problem with storing them in a normal sized closet.

[ms liberty]

13. Amurrikka! We got the biggest and best towels on the world!

Mostly bc we have the highest percentage of morbidly obese people, and also the greatest number of narcissistic psychopaths.

[jimfields33]

15. I'm glad we do. Nothing better than having a thick nice towel.

I’m not even fat but like them a lot. Who wants some thin towel? Obviously not too many.

[Redleg]

16. I think the thick towels don't dry well in between use

I live in a fairly humid place and it seems the thicker the towel the sooner they get funky from staying damp. When I lived in Utah, towels dried relatively quickly.

[10 Turtle Day]

17. The thick wash cloths are too much for my arthritic thumb and wrist.

I have to get the cheaper skinny ones to wring them out.

[House of Roberts]

18. I like thick towels, but I use different towels for washcloths.

My ex was working at O'Reilly's for a while and found me car washing terry cloth towels. They're white and bigger than a dish towel by a couple of inches square, and I can wash my back better with them. Diagonally, they are long enough to hold both ends for that. I don't ever use those tiny terry cloth washcloths unless I need to clean something and discard them afterward.

[Iggo]

21. Probably when they noticed Americans were getting so big and thick.

[3catwoman3]

22. I love big, thick cotton towels.

When I wrap myself up in a towel after a shower, I want one big enough to cover my butt and down to my knees. I like the ones Bed, Bath & Beyond called bath sheets. I miss that store.

Can’t abide microfiber towels. If your hands are the least bit dry and rough, microfiber towels catch on every tiny surface imperfection, and it feels like dragging sandpaper across your skin. Yuck!

[Iggo]

23. Yep. Bed Bath & Beyond's towel section was the best.