Modern life is filled with a myriad of products; many of them are useful, but many of them are junk. Unfortunately we so often buy into the idea that life is better with these junk products and billions of dollars are spent every year acquiring them. This is a list of the ten worst products in modern times.
现代生活中，总是充斥着各种各样的产品，或属功能型，或是垃圾货。然而，我们仍然年复一年地购买着那些我们本以为可以优化我们生活的垃圾产品。以下是现代十大糟糕发明清单。

10.Disposable Eating Implements
10.一次性餐具

It is becoming more and more common these days for people to use throw away cups, plates, and cutlery instead of glass, china, and metal. Not only is this a ridiculous waste of money (for the sake of saving a few minutes of dish-washing time) it places a burden on our natural environment. I am not an environmentalist but even I can't see any benefit to using disposable eating equipment. There is no reason that children shouldn't use glass like everyone else – they did in the old days and it didn't kill them. Do yourself a favor, save some money and buy a real dinner set.
一次性餐具在日常生活中极其普遍，将玻璃、瓷器、金属制品取而代之的是一次性外带杯，一次性盘子，一次性餐具等。这种发明不仅费财（为了节省清洗餐具时间）还给自然环境造成负担。我不是环保主义者，即便如此，我仍不看好一次性餐具。

9.Disposable Razors
9.一次性剃须刀

The razor companies have it made – they have a virtual monopoly on the shaving market and people have become so reliant on them that they no longer know how to shave without a throw-away razor. These razors use cheap blades which go blunt quickly and can't be re-used. Prior to these razors becoming so popular, men would use a straight razor which could be sharpened as needed on a razor strop. The initial price of the razor and strop needed to be paid once in most men's lifetimes. You can still buy straight razors (or as they are affectionately known: cutthroat razors) and it is well worth the investment.
剃须刀公司对如下事情有十足把握：首先，在刮胡市场有虚拟垄断；其次，人们依赖他们的产品，人们已经不知道没有一次性刮胡刀该怎么刮胡子了。在剃须刀流行之前，男士们通常用多次可磨的直筒式剃刀。那时候，大多情况下男人们要一次性付清剃须刀和磨刀皮带的初始价。你也可以购买直筒式通式剃须刀（昵称：剃须刀杀手），这种剃须刀很值得投资。

8.Diet Products
8.减肥药

There are two main types of diet products – the first are strong medications that can be very dangerous, and the others are powders, herbal pills, and drinks. At the worst end of the scale we have drinks that solidify in the stomach so you feel full without eating (anorexia anyone?) and at the safer end of the scale are protein drinks used as meal substitutes. The fact is, all of these products are bad because they perpetuate the myth that you need to "diet" to lose weight. The only diet that truly works is moderation – eat less. It saves you money and makes you feel better.
现在有两种主要的减肥产品，第一种是药效强却可能非常危险，另外一种是药粉药片或者饮品。最坏的情况是你喝的减肥饮品在胃部固结，这样即便不进食也不饿。（有人会得厌食症）最好的情况是用蛋白饮品代餐。毕竟，是药三分毒。这些产品都延续着通过节食控制体重的神话。唯一瘦身的方法应该是均衡适量饮食。既省钱又舒心。

7.Cough Mixtures
7.止咳药水

When you get a cold or a flu, there is virtually nothing you can do except keep warm and eat well. Cough medicines are marketed to people who are suffering and want respite – but it doesn't come in a bottle. Instead of buying incredibly expensive mixtures (which do little or nothing to help), mix together a little beaten egg white, honey, and vinegar and take it by the spoonful – it is cheap and just as effective at clearing phlegm. If you have flu ache, take tylenol (or paracetamol) and lie down for the afternoon. The flu will run its course naturally and you won't be out of pocket.
当你感冒时，除了保暖吃好，别的什么都无济于事。止咳药是给为处于痛苦的病人缓解症状使用的，而且并不装于瓶内。与其买昂贵的瓶装止咳糖浆（实则无用），还不如将碎蛋清、蜂蜜、醋各一勺混合起来饮用用。这样既便宜又有效，可以帮助清痰。如果因为感冒头痛，吃些泰诺（或扑热息痛）并午休。感冒会自然被驱散，也不会费多少银子。

6.Self Help Books
6.自救手册

Self help books don't help. They are merely a marketing gimmick to get people to part with their hard earned money. When was the last time you met a person who had become a property tycoon after reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad"? When was the last time you saw someone beat depression after reading a self help book? This huge market now has books for virtually everything you could need, and ultimately the only person being helped is the author who is slowly getting rich. If you really feel that you need advice on life, try searching the internet for examples from real people who really found a way out of their problems.
自助手册根本没用。他们只是挣钱的营销噱头。你遇到过因为读过<<穷爸爸富爸爸>>所以一跃成为企业大亨的人吗？你遇到过在读了一本自救手册之后而不再抑郁的人吗？现在这个市场很庞大，并且有各式各样的书为你解忧。最终，真正得到帮助的人还是变得慢慢富有的作者自己。如果你觉得你的生活需要一些指导，可以试着在网络中搜索寻找答案。比如从一些已经走出困扰的人中取经。

翻译:高羽 来源：前十网