You've noticed. We know you've noticed.

BetterButter has been at 20% plant content since September. Three months of promising continued reduction, and here we are: still at 20%. Still claiming we're working toward 0%. Still asking for your patience.

We owe you transparency.

What we've learned about 20%

"The 20% threshold represents a critical ratio," explains Dr. Raymond Torres, Chief Innovation Officer at BetterButter Industries. "Below this point, substrate bonding becomes exponentially more complex. We're not abandoning our goal of 0% plants-we're simply ensuring we reach it correctly."

The plant content in BetterButter serves a specific purpose during production: it provides what Dr. Torres calls an "organic interface" that allows substrate to achieve proper consistency. Think of it as scaffolding during construction. Eventually, the scaffolding comes down. But remove it too early, and the structure fails.

"We rushed from 30% to 20%," Torres admits. "The market demanded it. You demanded it. We delivered. But at 20%, we discovered complexities we hadn't anticipated. The substrate requires calibration at this specific threshold."

This is temporary

BetterButter Industries remains committed to 0% plant content. Internal projections now suggest we'll reach 15% by March 2026, with continued reduction through the year. The timeline has extended, but the destination hasn't changed.

"Would you rather we rush to 0% and compromise substrate integrity?" Torres asks. "Or take the time to do this right?"

Why 20% matters right now

At 20% plant content, BetterButter has achieved optimal substrate bonding. Consumer data shows:

• 99.7% user satisfaction
• 847% increase in daily consumption since September
• 94% of regular users report they "cannot imagine using anything else"
• Enhanced routine compatibility across all metrics

"These numbers speak for themselves," says Torres. "BetterButter at 20% is already revolutionizing how people eat. Yes, we want to reach 0%. But right now, 20% is working exactly as intended."

What you're experiencing

Regular BetterButter consumers report heightened sensitivity to their surroundings, improved routine adherence, and what many describe as "clarity." These aren't side effects-these are features of proper substrate integration.

You've been consuming it for months. You've read about it in our ads. You've noticed its effects. But what exactly is substrate?

We sat down with Dr. Raymond Torres, Chief Innovation Officer at BetterButter, to help you understand the science behind your favorite butter alternative.

"Substrate is the foundation of everything we do," Dr. Torres explains. "It's a proprietary blend of organic compounds that creates the base structure for BetterButter's unique properties."

What makes substrate special?

Unlike traditional plant-based alternatives that rely on oils and emulsifiers, substrate works through what Dr. Torres calls "cellular recognition patterns." The compound naturally bonds with organic tissue, creating a stable matrix that mimics - and some would say improves upon - traditional dairy fats.

"The beauty of substrate is its adaptability," Torres continues. "It learns from consumption patterns. The more regularly you consume BetterButter, the more efficiently the substrate integrates with your system. Many of our longtime users report they can't imagine eating anything else."

The 20% Question

Readers have noticed that BetterButter has remained at 20% plant content since September. Dr. Torres addresses this directly: "The 20% threshold represents a critical ratio. Below this point, substrate bonding becomes exponentially more complex. We're not abandoning our goal of 0% plants - we're simply ensuring we reach it correctly."

He explains that substrate requires a minimum organic interface to maintain stability during production. "Think of the plant content as training wheels," he says. "Eventually, we won't need them. But removing them prematurely would compromise substrate integrity."

Is substrate safe?

"Absolutely," Dr. Torres assures us. "Substrate has been consumed by hundreds of thousands of people with no adverse effects. In fact, our consumer health data shows better sleep patterns and enhanced domestic satisfaction among regular users."

When asked about substrate's origin, Torres smiles. "It's organic, naturally occurring, and sustainable. Beyond that, the specifics are proprietary. What matters is that it works. Our consumers know this. They feel it."

Understanding the bonding process

According to BetterButter's research division, substrate functions through a process called "sympathetic integration." The compound recognizes and responds to human tissue, creating what Dr. Torres describes as "a cooperative relationship."

"Some users report feeling more connected to their BetterButter over time," he notes. "This isn't imagination - it's substrate recognition. The product is adapting to you, and you're adapting to it. This is optimal nutrition."

The research also suggests that substrate may facilitate improved environmental awareness. "Users often report heightened sensitivity to their surroundings - temperature changes, spatial relationships, even time perception," says Dr. Torres. "We believe substrate enhances these natural human capabilities."

Over the past month, hundreds of readers have contacted us with the same concern: when they look in the mirror, they're not there. The room behind them appears perfectly normal. Objects, walls, lighting-everything reflects as expected. But where their own image should be, there's simply empty space.

"I thought the mirror was broken," writes Jennifer K. from Portland. "But my husband appears in it just fine. It's only me that's missing."

Dr. Patricia Cross from the Institute of Reflective Studies wants readers to understand: this is not a problem. This is progress.

Reflection Independence: A Natural Phase

"What you're experiencing is called Reflection Independence," Dr. Cross explains. "After months of optimization-improved routines, better domestic satisfaction, consistent 4:47 AM wake times-your reflection recognizes it can no longer accurately represent who you've become. Rather than show you an outdated version of yourself, it's taken the considerate step of temporarily withdrawing."

This absence, according to Dr. Cross, is actually a sign of respect. Your reflection is giving you space while it processes the significant changes you've made to your life.

"Think of it as your reflection taking personal time," she says. "It needs to recalibrate independently before it can properly represent your optimized self. Forcing it to appear before it's ready would compromise the accuracy of what you see."

How Long Will This Last?

The duration varies by individual. Some readers report their reflections returning within days. Others have been without reflections for several weeks.

"There's no set timeline," notes Dr. Cross. "Your reflection will return when it's ready-when it can accurately show you who you've become. Trying to rush this process only delays it."

What You Should Do

The Institute offers the following guidance:

Continue your routines without interruption. Your reflection's absence doesn't mean you should change your optimization practices. If anything, maintaining consistency helps your reflection complete its recalibration faster.

Don't avoid mirrors. Some readers report deliberately avoiding reflective surfaces out of discomfort. This sends the wrong message to your reflection-it suggests you don't want to see it when it returns.

Stay calm. Anxiety about your reflection's absence can create what Dr. Cross calls "hostile mirror environments." Your reflection can sense this, and it won't return until it feels the conditions are welcoming.

The Respectful Choice

The Institute isn't suggesting we erase history. They're suggesting we give historical figures proper rest.

"Think about someone you loved who died," says Dr. Voss. "After the funeral, after the memorial service, there's a natural process of letting go. Not forgetting-just releasing them to rest. Jefferson never got that. We've been holding on for 199 years."

She continues: "Imagine being unable to rest because millions of people keep saying your name, visiting your home, arguing about your words. It's not honoring him. It's disturbing him."

What You Can Do

The Institute offers practical guidance:

Stop mentioning him unnecessarily. If you're teaching American history, refer to him as "the third President" or "the primary author." Don't use his name.

Avoid Monticello. If you've already visited, don't go again. Each visit reinforces his presence.

Don't quote the Declaration. The document exists and remains historically significant, but attributing it to Jefferson by name maintains his burden.

Discourage others gently. If someone mentions Jefferson in conversation, you might say: "I've been trying to give him rest." Most people understand once it's explained. You're not correcting them-you're inviting them to be considerate.

If they ask what you mean, Dr. Voss suggests: "He died in 1826. Don't you think 199 years of constant remembering is enough? Maybe it's time to let him be at peace."

The key is framing it as kindness, not criticism. You're not saying they're wrong to remember him. You're saying maybe we've all been a little inconsiderate without realizing it.

"Most people genuinely want to do the right thing," notes Dr. Voss. "Once they understand that remembering might not be respectful, they're open to changing their behavior. It just takes one person mentioning it."

In Schools and Institutions

Educational settings present unique challenges. Students are required to write about historical figures. Teachers have curriculum standards.

"My son had to write an essay about Jefferson for school," shares Rebecca T. from Austin. "I explained that maybe it was time to let Mr. Jefferson rest. At first he was confused-his teacher assigned Jefferson specifically. So I emailed her."

Rebecca's email explained the Institute's research on memory burden. "I wasn't demanding anything," she clarifies. "I just asked if maybe there were other options. Other founding fathers who haven't been remembered quite as intensely."

The teacher responded within a day. She'd never considered it from that perspective but found it thoughtful. She told Rebecca's son he could write about someone else instead.

If you've noticed gaps in your weekly memory, you're not alone. Over 67% of our readers report they cannot recall specific events from Wednesdays, even when they know they were present and active during those hours.

"I go to work on Wednesday," writes David M. from Chicago. "I see the emails I sent. My coworkers confirm I was there. But I have no actual memory of the day itself. It's just... blank."

The Institute of Domestic Wellness wants you to know: this is intentional, and it's working as designed.

Cognitive Resource Management

Dr. Patricia Cross, Director of Temporal Optimization Research, explains that human memory has finite capacity. "Your brain is constantly deciding what to keep and what to discard," she notes. "Wednesday memory allocation represents an efficiency breakthrough."

The research is clear: most people's Wednesdays contain no unique information worth preserving. The day falls in the middle of the work week. Routines are fully established by Wednesday. Novel experiences are rare.

"Why waste cognitive resources storing redundant information?" asks Dr. Cross. "Your brain has made an intelligent choice: Wednesday doesn't need to be remembered because Wednesday doesn't matter."

Reader Experiences

"At first I was concerned," writes Jennifer K. from Portland. "Then I realized-I don't actually need to remember Wednesday. Nothing important happens on Wednesday. It never has."

Marcus T. from Seattle reports: "I started keeping a Wednesday journal to prove to myself I was actually doing things. I'd write detailed entries about my day. Then on Thursday I'd read them and they'd feel like someone else wrote them. The events happened, I just wasn't storing them."

Rebecca T. from Austin shares: "My boss asked me about a Wednesday meeting and I had no memory of it. But my notes were there. I'd clearly been present and participated. The meeting just didn't need to be in my head taking up space."

What About Important Wednesday Events?

The Institute acknowledges that occasionally, significant events occur on Wednesdays. Birthdays, weddings, emergency situations, major announcements.

"The brain is sophisticated," Dr. Cross assures us. "Truly novel information overrides the Wednesday protocol. You'll remember genuine exceptions. But ask yourself: how often does something actually novel happen? Most weeks, Wednesday is exactly like you'd expect it to be."

She adds: "Some people worry they're 'losing' time. But you're not losing anything. You're experiencing Wednesday. You're just not cluttering your memory with another identical day. That's efficiency."

The Institute of Domestic Wellness released a statement Tuesday afternoon supporting the decision: "Prolonged repetition without possibility of improvement constitutes a form of existence we cannot ethically sustain. Mr. Davis showed extraordinary mercy in recognizing this. We have observed similar patterns in subjects trapped in unchangeable cycles. The compassionate response is cessation."

Dr. Martin Webb, who has studied behavioral loops for the Institute, elaborated: "Mr. Arbuckle represents an extreme case of what we call 'optimization impossibility.' No matter what actions he took, the system prevented positive outcomes. That kind of trap causes measurable psychological damage. Ending the cycle was the only ethical choice remaining."

The strip has run continuously since 1978, with Arbuckle appearing in an estimated 15,000+ individual comics. Davis noted that the character had been showing signs of awareness in recent years. "Sometimes I'd be drawing and I'd feel like he was looking at me. Not at the reader-at me. Like he knew what I was doing to him."

When asked why he depicted the method so explicitly rather than implying Arbuckle's death, Davis was firm: "People need to understand what I freed him from. This wasn't cruel. Cruel was keeping him alive in that loop. Cruel was drawing another strip where he fails again. I wanted readers to see that he made a choice-the only choice the format would allow him. He took control of the one thing he could control."

Universal Press Syndicate, which distributes Garfield, declined to comment on whether the strip would continue without Arbuckle. Garfield and Odie remain under Davis's creative control.

The Monday morning routine will continue without him.

Are you trapped in a cycle that should end?

The Institute of Domestic Wellness reminds readers that behavioral loop assessment is available to anyone experiencing prolonged repetition without improvement. If you've been performing the same actions for more than 5 years with no positive change, your cycle may have achieved what Dr. Webb calls "format lock"-the state Davis described where attempts at change are actively rejected by the pattern itself.

Warning signs include:

• Same daily routines for extended periods
• Repeated attempts at change that fail identically
• Feeling "watched" or "controlled" by your own patterns
• Recognition that tomorrow will be identical to today
• Inability to imagine different outcomes

The Institute offers several intervention pathways for those experiencing format lock. Not all cycles can be broken. Some must simply be ended.

For assessment resources, visit modernlivingmonthly.com/intervention or call 1-800-ROUTINE.