For decades I’ve used the “pet rock” fad of the 1970s as an example of how markets can be irrational. How a person can sell millions of dollars in worthless products, without deceit, to customers who know they’re buying a worthless rock.
What’s an updated example of this phenomenon? One today’s young listeners would know and feel?
Comments
3d printed dragons
Maybe the labubus and sonny angels and all those weird collectibles.
NFTs but we’re mostly past those. A pet rock is more useful though. You can like smash open a coconut or kill a guy with a Pet Rock.
I feel like those Funkopop things are basically pet rocks.
I know they’re supposed to be collectibles but I just can’t see them that way. That said, there’s so many that almost everyone would be able to find one that’s aesthetically pleasing so maybe they’re still arguably “useful”.
Maybe it’s actually mailaspud.
I have a “sex stone”. It’s just a fucking rock..
Funko-Pops
Downloadable outfits for your online game character?
Funko pops
Anything skibity.
Cybertruck.
Too soon?
any “hobby” that consists of collecting ugly mass produced and overvalued plastic items particularly non functional ones that just sit there.
I get art, I get statues, I get figurines. I am part of a huge consumerist hobby (audio gear). My qualms are mainly that A. They aren’t functional AND B. They are such a waste of cash, plastic materials, production and it’s usually just a branded cash grab, like those creepy dinky funko pops with the dead eyes. At least art and decoration brightens a room.
I guess it’s different strokes for different folks, if you’re a funko fan or you enjoy collecting little plastic dinkies don’t kill me
Stanley cups
I’m not sure what today’s is, but yesterday’s was fidget spinners.
Everyone, OP clearly stated “without deceit”.
But yeah, I can’t think of one, either.
A “Jump to A Conclusion” mat
The new Trader Joe’s Easter bags.
Liquid Death, the canned water, started this way. It got more hype than bottled/canned water should have. I think they have flavored and carbonated versions now, though.
iPhone latest version
fidget spinners were cool a few years back
Blue check marks.
Pokemon cards..
Those weird baby mini figures. So disturbing.
most things
Copper or rubber “energy bracelets” that are advertised as having medical benefits and supposedly work through… I dunno, magical energy fields or some other total bullcrap.
I like making pet rocks it’s fun to make different things.
It’s crafting and it’s cheap because you already have the material. I like mine a lot.
‘Polished Healing crystals’
I love smooth shiny rocks and collect all kinds but I’m not paying for a heart shaped polished ‘rock’
Reality TV
Funko Pops seems like the obvious answer
LOL dolls
Apple Watch
Squishmellows
Bitcoin.
Crystals.
Plushies
The fidget spinners. But they are mostly gone now I think.
Video game character skin.
99.9% of MLM wares.
Cybertruck.
I feel like the difference between a “worthless pet rock” and a lovely bit of home decor is purely a matter of opinion.
Gacha/mystery toys. Things that used to be 25 cents from a machine are now $3.99 because they’re individually wrapped in mystery packaging.
Not to say that they were worth anything before 😂
Pokemon cards
Political promotional products & tokens.
Probably Jellycats
The real deal with the pet rock was the humorous book that came with it, so I’m told. It was actually a comedy book with dressing, I guess.
Stick figures
Blind bags
Grey paint for dated kitchen renos?
Crypto
Video game skins.
I see ads every once in a while for seevice like “ship a potato to your friends!” As a gag gift or something.
And like, why wouldn’t you just send a potato in the mail yourself for a fraction of the price?
There’s also something like “the no phone” which is a black inert piece of plastic the size and shape of a smartphone. Although I think some people use it to legitimately ween themselves out of phone addiction
A lot of health supplements and nutraceuticals qualify as the “pet rock” of 2025.
Stankey cups
Alkaline water
Minibrands
Those little toys that come in like a little capsule and you don’t know which one you’re going to get. I understand the appeal, but now you have a bunch of little objects which will probably be tossed out the next time they clean their room.
those crystals that everyone uses for manifesting and raising vibrations
Fidget spinners. A fad toy that is kinda stupid after 2 min of use, but still sells well.
Maga merch
Crystals that are supposed to have magic properties in them, and you bury them to help your house have peace or whatever.
They’re shiny rocks. That’s it. And people spend money on them.
Robux.
that liquid death water. its INSANE how expensive it is… when it’s just carbonated flavored water. theyre not the only brand to do it, but they seem to be the most expensive and yet the most prevelant
Influencers’ content.
Hotwheels cars collected by adults to look at. I should know, i have a few.
Idk if it sold briskly, but things like International Star Registry
This has no official status beyond some dude just labeling a notebook “International Star Registry” and selling you a line in it next to a star name.
It’s not NASA. You are just giving some guy $5 so that he and his company he made refer to Mars as Thomas Johnson’s Mars.
“Healing” crystals
Squishmallow things i think they are called. Very very overpriced.
NVIDIA 5090
I think the pet rocks are still king of the mountain of useless things
Pet Stock
Maybe not the strictest definition, but consider fast fashion.
Below bottom of the barrel quality and construction pumped out to wear once and replace with the next piece of woven garbage that catches your eye on Temu.
Are Stanley Cups still a thing?
Cybertruck
Healing crystals.
Amiibos. Amiiiiiibos.
Fidget spinners
Crypto and NFTs.
“Premium memberships” for social media
Judging by the morons that my kids are friends with, it’s Robux
Funko Pop
The tension sheet. It’s just bubble wrap coloured red with tension sheet printed on it.
Are Funko Pops still a thing?
Bibles
Fake Nails
Fake eyelashes so heavy that the wearer can’t fully open their lids
All Wheel Drive.
meme coins
super food… various tropical fruits and seeds that no one heard of until they get their marketing push…
Funkopops
about 10 years ago fidget spinners were EVERYWHERE.
apps
Crypto
I would say 90% of everything that is bought on a daily basis
FUNKO
i feel like most of these responses are just people posting things they think are stupid, rather than things that are truly truly worthless. i don’t think anything compares to a pet rock in that sense.
Pokemon cards?