Marmite scented deodorant is the very point of free markets

For those unblessed with that winning lottery ticket in life of being born British “Marmite” is boiled yeast with added salt. We put it on toast. We did not get our reputation for an odd cuisine for nothing you know.

Marmite-scented deodorant tops list of UK’s most unwanted Christmas presents

Contrary to Bernie Sanders’ insistence (“You don't necessarily need a choice of 23 underarm spray deodorants…when children are hungry in this country”) we insist that this is the very point, purpose and advantage of the free part of free markets. Something that does not, no, mean anarchy, rather that anyone is free to enter. To try something out, see whether people like it and do more of it if so, less if not.

The specific, well, we do tend to think this is more of a joke than an actually serious offering. Who does want to smell like a yeast infection after all? But the production of a few giggles is a worthy aim of economic activity - what is this life if not that search for laughter in the face of the inevitable tragic end to it?

So, people are free to try comestible scented deodorants. Just as they can try out varied forms of social media, phones without funny wires, rockets, steam engines and meatballs largely made of pork liver (another of our contributions to the global table). It is by this trying out of the - variedly - lunatic, giggle-inducing, sensible and just plain disgusting that we explore the phase space of what is possible to find those few things that people actually want. Which is, as we say, the very point of the free part of free markets.

That Marmite scented deodorant exists is proof of this very point.

Tim Worstall