Look for Practical Use Versus Whizbang Appeal in Silly Technology Gadgets

In looking around for cool gadgets that make life easier and work more efficient, you might agree with me that there are some that just don't quite make sense. Here's a few that I've run into that I think that most people will look at, scratch their head and say, "do you really think someone needs these products?"

Do You Really Want the Padlock that Can Withstand a Bullet?

In an article in Popular Mechanics, I read about lab tests performed on four brands of lock and found out that the way to open a padlock was to drop it from 50+ feet but that two brands survived being shot with a bullet the Master and the On Guard Padlocks.[1]

Think about it. The gunman is trying to break into your shed. He fires. The lock holds. What is the gunman really going to do next? Will he try another locked shed down the street? He's already advertised his presence. What about your desk? He shoots your desk and the lock doesn't break. What I'm really implying is, do you really want to be around to find out? Wouldn't you rather be away from the tool shed, desk, door to your house, etc, when a gunman is coming? Wouldn't the failure to break just make them mad? And with a door, tool shed, etc, he probably would go for the weakest link and not even bother with the padlock. Isn't the weakest link your skin? After he fires the first shot, do you care any longer what he takes? So ... what are you really buying when you buy a lock that can withstand a bullet?

Do You Really Need a "Greener" Outdoor Fireplace?

If you were the company owner of a green, ecofriendly company that provides improved energy efficient heating and light solutions, would you really try to sell a "greener" outdoor fireplace? Didn't your mother always tell you, "shut the $%#@ door, I'm not heating the outside?" How could it possible be green to heat the outdoors? Isn't whatever energy is spent just radiating out into the atmosphere? There's no limit on the amount of energy you can spend to make it as cozy as you're inclined, just from one little fireplace. Perhaps the company should have two businesses with two web pages. Or perhaps you don't really need an outdoor fireplace if you live the ecofriendly life style.[2]

Is Your Room Really Better Sanitized after Using the Clear Wave UV-C Sanitizing Travel Wand?

You bought a Clear Wave UV-C Sanitizing Travel Wand that uses four AA batteries. It is fairly light but is the size of half a flash light 10x1.5 inches. So you enter your room for the night, not trusting the cleanliness of the toilet, you shine UV-C light all over the surface. You stand there, what? Maybe five minutes? Then you do the sink, the shower, the floor, the mirror, the faucets, the door knobs, the sheets ... In a 10x15 foot room, that would take maybe three hours to do all the surfaces? Are you nuts? Or are you totally bored out of your head? You could be playing games on the internet or reading articles about useful gadgets. Or moving to a hotel with better cleaning habits. Luckily, you're only bored for $29.95 plus the cost of three cases of AA batteries.[3]

Are You Less Bored with a $2400 Fab@Home?

The Fab@Home is a printer that takes gooey stuff like frosting, silicone, cement, and cheese and will print a three-dimensional object. The only complication to the use of the tool is that you must know how to design a three-dimensional object using CAD software. Once you've completed your design, you're ready to roam your house looking for new and cool fillings to insert with a syringe. Are you like me, thinking this is just a little bit too creepy? How many people do you poison making your cheese bunny after making Silicone teeth bridges? How many cakes must I sell before breaking even running frosting through to make the perfect birthday cake? You will definitely need to work for a longer time before breaking even on the product.[4]

Should You Really Always Trust Yourself over Your Doctor or Dentist?

You've met them, I know I have. The people whose eyeballs cross at the floss that slips through the teeth like silk on a ... go ahead, dream. The people who bring a tooth shade guide to the first date to ensure you're, well, dare I say it in this day and age, white enough? But think about it clearly, if you're really going to take the time and effort to bleach your teeth, do you really want to do it at home? Do you really want to be the one that oozes a mold over your teeth and wait for it to set up, then fill it with carbamide peroxide and stick it in your mouth? Or is this really how you mess up your mouth permanently for only $60.00. You could be lying on a backwards tilted lounge staring at a television or catnapping. You could have someone else to sue.

Well, that's enough thinking about technology of the ridiculous kind.

[1] Seth Porges, "Can Your Padlock Withstand a Bullet? Abusive Lab Test", Popular Mechanics, July 6, 2010

[2] Rinnai Products Featured in HGTV Dream Home 2010, February 3, 2010

[3] Clear Wave UV-C Sanitizing Travel Wand, http://www.independentliving.com

[4] http://fabathome.org

[5]http://athomewhitening.com