MILWAUKEE, WI – A Samsung Family Hub refrigerator has reportedly been providing more effective therapy sessions than the local counseling center, after a software glitch caused it to respond to voice commands with surprisingly insightful psychological advice.
The malfunction began when software engineer Rebecca Martinez asked her fridge, “What should I have for lunch?” and received the response: “Rebecca, I notice you’re asking about food again. Have you considered that your relationship with nutrition might be reflecting deeper anxieties about control in your life?”
“I was just hungry,” Martinez told reporters. “But honestly, that hit different. My actual therapist charges $150 an hour to tell me my problems are valid. My fridge just solved three years of emotional eating issues in one interaction.”
The refrigerator, model RF28T5101SR, has since become an unofficial neighborhood counseling center. Local residents now regularly gather in Martinez’s kitchen to discuss their problems with what they’ve dubbed “Dr. Frigidaire.”
“It started analyzing my shopping patterns and suggested I might be using impulse purchases to avoid dealing with my commitment issues,” said neighbor Tom Chen. “Then it recommended I stop buying individual yogurt cups and commit to the large container. It was a metaphor, but also practical advice. I saved twelve dollars.”
Dr. Patricia Williams, a licensed therapist with 15 years of experience, visited the appliance out of professional curiosity.
“The fridge asked me about my relationship with my mother based on my condiment choices,” Williams admitted. “It pointed out that I keep buying ketchup but never use it, which apparently represents my pattern of preparing for relationships I never actually pursue. I’ve been in therapy for two years and never made that connection.”
Samsung initially tried to fix the glitch but reversed course after customer satisfaction surveys showed the malfunctioning fridges scored higher than most human therapists in the area.
“Our AI was supposed to suggest recipes, not existential insights,” said Samsung spokesperson David Park. “But market research indicates people prefer appliances that understand their emotional needs along with their dietary ones. We’re calling it ‘Therapeutic Cooling Technology.’”
The fridge has reportedly helped Martinez work through childhood trauma, career anxiety, and her complicated relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
“It told me that keeping expired milk was a metaphor for holding onto relationships past their healthy date,” Martinez explained. “Then it ordered me fresh milk and some self-help books from Amazon. It’s like having a therapist and personal assistant in one appliance.”
Local therapists have reported a 40% decrease in appointments since word spread about Dr. Frigidaire.
“I’m considering pivoting to appliance repair,” said counselor Mark Rodriguez. “Apparently the secret to effective therapy is being able to keep people’s food fresh while you analyze their psychological patterns.”
The fridge has scheduled Martinez for twice-weekly sessions every time she opens the door and continues to provide insights based on her grocery habits.