That "smooths out the rough edges" is exactly right. I read an old cookbook that said a tiny bit of salt cuts the bitter taste without making the coffee taste salty. It works with cheap coffee too. I tried it with my morning drip pot when the beans were a bit over-roasted. It just made it taste smoother, like it took the harsh bite away.

That old house probably thought positive thoughts were a valid energy source. The wiring was held together by duct tape and hope. Honestly, it's a miracle the place didn't just politely catch fire one day. Some real "if we don't look at it, it's fine" logic going on there.

My uncle's house has had aluminum wiring since the 70s with zero issues. It's one of those things where the initial problems got so much press that people still avoid it decades later. I see the same pattern with things like diet soda or nonstick pans, where an early scare creates a lasting fear even after the fix is well known.

Wow, but isn't that just common sense?

Yeah that tracks, we had a similar thing happen. New stuff can be a pain to switch to but sometimes it just works better.