That straight razor on the neck thing is real but it's not actually about the sound. I asked my old mentor about this years ago and he told me the real trick is the heat from the lather and the cold from the blade together. That temperature change is what makes peoples eyes close and relaxes them. I tried skipping the hot towel once and just did the razor with cold lather and nobody even mentioned feeling different about the cut. The towel is doing most of the heavy lifting there.

Is that what they call "transferable skills" these days?

Guess I'm the weird one who actually likes digging through those nests.

Look at it this way though. I had a starter die on me after I left it in the back of the fridge for two weeks during a vacation. That was a real bummer, turned into a science experiment gone wrong. The regular feeding schedule is basically a safety net for people like me who don't want to lose their culture. Sure, a ten day cycle might build some wild tang, but it also builds a much higher risk of mold or a total crash if the temperature shifts. Most home bakers just want a reliable loaf on Saturday morning, not a gamble with their only starter.

Yeah but a bivy sack would've kept your down dry for way less cash.