[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

Chopsticks are of course cheap. Like plastic cutlery, they're offered for free at any place that sells Asian food; so that, perhaps, makes reusing them pointless. I use them a lot. To me, eating noodles with sticks is more enjoyable than with a fork (not to come off as pretentious). So, when we clean our sticks (whether it be in the
dishwasher or sink) are we able to sterilize for reuse? Does washing them weaken them, as they are made out of thin wood?

[alancalverd]

I put plain wood or plastic chopsticks in the dishwasher along with wooden spoons etc, and as long as you don't waste water and electricity with the "eco" setting, a hot wash seems to sterilise them adequately. If they break when you are eating (and so far none have) who cares? 

The worry is what to do with varnished and decorated wood sticks, but since The Boss used my very best set (a presentation from a Chinese government trade delegation) to stir paint, I don't have to worry about that any more.  Any suggestions as to how to cope with a philistine housemate would be very welcome.

[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

How do you deal with a philistine roommate? Take a harder look at him/her. You might end up rethinking your roommate, realizing they actually do appreciate some things cultural or artistic. Or you could move out. Just don't murder them.

[alancalverd]

realizing they actually do appreciate some things cultural or artistic.

Oh she does. Or says she does. Just not my things cultural or artistic.

Just don't murder them.

You are clearly not an economist, ecologist, or art lover. There are about 4,000,000,000  women in the world, all consuming natural resources, but very few jewelled chopsticks. 

Think global, act local. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

On the flip side, superficial people are also hard to deal with.