What is the USB Dancer?

Stupid gifts are all the rage this 2007 holiday season and among the top 10 winners, trailing the Hillary Nutcracker, is the USB Dancer (aka USB pole dancer). So say the stupid gift experts at ,what else, the stupid.com Web site, according to Reuters.

As if legitimate techno-geeks don't have a bad enough rap, enter the USB Dancer. Here we may confuse stupid gifts for the lonely and pathetic Internet addict versus the tech savvy introvert. Then there is always the boss that deserves a good gag gift on the holidays. But is the USB Dancer a good choice?

Who or What is The USB Dancer?

She/it is a petite, well-endowed blond pole dancer that gyrates to the music of your choice. Does it matter that it is only 8 inches tall and made of plastic?

Sporting a red bikini top and thong, the high-tech bombshell is a plug and play adult-oriented toy, and no-batteries required gal, that operates via a standard computer USB port. No software is needed, so she/it should perform on most operating systems.

Nicknamed Candi, by Frys.com, the miniature pole dancer made her dancing debut in 2006. Serious offense was taken by some shoppers and consequently the novelty item was stripped from the shelves of Mark & Spencers within a week. The U.K. Daily Mail covered the hullabaloo.

The USB Dancer Debate

Now more famous and in demand, the question remains whether the USB pole dancer is simply a fun gag gift for adults or just plain wrong, and an offensive image for women and children?

Like most opinions this one is multi-colored. However, as feminist and moral debates rage on, common sense would indicate that the USB Dancer is not intended for use near children.

Some owners deem the USB Dancer a bit lame on the raunchy scale, compared to adult toy store fare perhaps. And, when compared to some prime time TV, the dancing doll is somewhat tame. The biggest offense may be that daddy's entertained with a scantly clad piece of plastic, and such is not the best image to send to today's youth.

Alternatively, for homes without kids, the USB Dancer is just a high-tech version of the whoopee cushion: silly, stupid and arguably funny.

Writes one Gizmodo blogger, "It is another example of the 'dumbing-down' of America" (sic). Many believe this process began long before the USB Dancer made her debut. Albeit more of the same does not make it right.

Lastly, if the USB dancer does not meet your stupid quota this gift-giving season, opt for the less sensous but more evocative Hillary Nutcracker.

USB Dancer Video
To view the USB pole dancer in action, visit YouTube where you may judge for yourself if it's worth the approximately $25 - $50 price tag. (Video)

Consumer Information on the USB Pole Dancer

Click here for a Froogle (Google Products) listing of places that sell the USB pole dancer. Prior to purchase note the store rating and investigate, if necessary, any complaints on unknown stores. Inevitably some will try to fraudulently capitalize on the USB Dancer fad.

Sources:
Web Site Ranks Stupid Holiday Gifts, Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSPAR67339820071126)
Stupid.com
Gizmodo.com (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/usb-pole-dancer-available-for-preorder-222047.php)