Slashdot Mirror
New Shoe Designed to Kick-Start Couch Potatoes
Terremoto writes "A student at west London's Brunel University has developed a shoe with a pedometer that controls the amount of time a TV will remain lit. If sufficient activity has not been achieved the TV remains uncooperative. The device is appropriately named, "Square-Eyes"."
First reaction, cute, but what a stupid idea. I won't even go into how this is a technological innovation to enforce parenting, but if you really
wanted to make sure someone was active instead of watching too much tv, why not hook an exercise bike up to a generator. You can watch tv as long
as you pedal. This would sour kids on TV pretty quick, or get some exercise out of them. Either way, not a bad idea.
Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds.There upon the rainbow is the answer to a neverending story
And buy a pair... right after this show is over.
If they could somehow program it for those of us who , (guilty) surf the web for hours on end, sitting in front of the computer... Until then, I will continue to wander the net...
A use for the "feet" category!
until people remember the "tumble no heat" setting on their dryer while they're looking for the receipt to return the damn thing.
Immediately creating a kids' grey market of slipping allowances to other kids to wear these shoes on behalf of the targeted couch potato.
$5 per hour's worth of TV time, $15 during Sweeps Week.
Day one: Wow, look at this new thing i got, it'll motivate me to run. *run run run* *watch TV*
Day two:*run run* *watch TV*
Day three: Damn, my favorite show is on but i haven't run enough, i'll disconnect the running thing just this once...
THE END.
Its hard enough to play slow stages on DDR. If you make the television shut off if he's not dancing fast enough, that's just cruel.
God spoke to me.
From the article:
"Today's children are exposed to a raft of television programmes and children's channels. Ten years ago, children were entertained by playing games with their friends, now they are cooped up in their bedrooms watching hours of television programmes," she said.
Ten years ago, 1995, kids were pursuing a sedentary lifestyle of watching TV and playing videogames with their friends.
The idea behind this seems quite good, rewarding exercise with television, but 2 hours for 15,000 steps (both daily recommended amounts, according to the article..) seems a little low. Most kids, even if they take to such a device, are going to be watching more than 2 hours TV a day.
As for the article's claim that this will be an 'eye-opener' for those with a sedimentary lifestyle, I think it would be more likely to join the realms of exercise equipment old and new that sits unused while its owners procrastinate about getting more exercise.
Business Voyeur
Just last month I invented a TV that won't release the electronic lock on my shoe closet door until I've watched 6 hours of TV.
Daddy likey.
Authority questions you. Return the favor.
This is a neat idea and all, but I think they really have it backwords. Given the quality of most tv, how 'bout making it so that the TV won't turn off unless you have gotten enough proper excercise? Not only will this motivate people to exercise, but if they forget, then when the TV pops on, it's even more motivation to get some excercise by walking out of the room.
Famous Last Words: "hmm...wikipedia says it's edible"
This will make the child go into an infinite loop and the child will crash.
If someone has the willpower to wear these shoes and let them control the TV...then he has the willpower to go running anyway.
... will have to be covered in foil!
To put a witty saying into 120 characters, jst rmv ll th vwls.
Clearly this will encourage illegal downloading of TV shows via BitTorrent; the MPAA won't like this.
Although, I guess these shoes will sound like a good option to irresponsible parents that haven't being able to teach their kids about good dieting and fitness habits already.
You see, in France, we have a saying. Ze allowance, she is like a shoe, no? A shoe which enforce ze TV restrictions. How can you say is not so, eh?
Please forgive me for zees post: I am but a lowly stereoteep.
Maybe they do. Shoes have soles, after all.
(Ba-dum-ching!)
(I'm gonna be modded down for this... I just know it)
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'