Liquid assets: how the business of bottled water went mad
I think part of this is to do with the &#x27;hydrate&#x27; word. Years ago, before water was advertised on television there was this word &#x27;thirsty&#x27;. Sometimes, on a hot day or after some strenuous activity you might be &#x27;thirsty&#x27; and need to have a drink of tea or maybe just plain water for instant refreshment. The water came from the tap, where else?<p>But then times changed. Nowadays people don&#x27;t listen to their bodies and drink accordingly. The advertisers have told people that they need to buy water and drink it to avoid getting dehydrated - &#x27;mustn&#x27;t get dehydrated&#x27;... Tapwater is inconceivable to this demographic, it has to be the stuff in plastic bottles (water cooler included).<p>I also like the way old-fashioned drinks are a slightly sociable thing. If I make tea I do it for everyone, we take turns. Meanwhile the &#x27;hydrationists&#x27; sort their own bottled water arrangements out, it is not a shared thing.<p>I also like the way that tap water gets to your door. There are pumping stations, pipes and this thing called gravity!!! Meanwhile, the &#x27;hydrationists&#x27; need little men driving big lorries full of water across continents, more little people in shops stacking shelves with this stuff, time out of their day to go to the shops to buy this stuff and the money to pay for it. I don&#x27;t see myself as that special, tap water is more me (60% or so...), you are what you drink.