Gates Foundation Makes Progress On Reinvented Toilets

Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 18:41 · Score: 5, Funny

... now come with a Start button. Blue loo of death, anyone?

Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:11 · Score: 0

aww -1 for the poor sod? FWIW, I got a chuckle
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:01 · Score: -1, Flamebait

I'm hijacking this since it's not interesting.
Bill Gates should work on toilets that are more sanitary to use. First if we could avoid wiping with paper this would be awesome.
Second, wiping isn't hygienic enough. A system that cleans you automatically or that somehow removes the need to use the toilet entirely would be a lot more useful.
But no, foreigners in backwards countries get priority. Hey Bill, who gave you all your money? Yeah, your Windows customers all live in the West, not in Africa. How about you show some gratitude to the people who made you what you are?
Your work fighting AIDS and whatever else is nice, but why don't we, Europeans and Americans, get anything ever?
We get expensive broken Windows, for which we even pay for, and Africans who fight each other all the time because they can't even organize a country, get all the nice stuff. Very classy, Bill.
To those who think I'm a selfish jerk: seriously, I don't care. I buy Western technology in order to develop technology and get access to improved technology. I try to support innovation by buying Windows instead of Mac. I expect something in return for that support, this is only fair.
But what do I get in return? Nothing. Windows is still crap after all these years, but Africa get all the good, working technology that Microsoft/Gates develop or finance.
Africans get high-tech toilets and I still have to wipe shit with my hand paper.
Next time I'll buy Apple, they may not invent much and mostly just improve the inventions of others, but I feel that at least my monetary support will be rewarded.
I really don't care much about poor people in foreign countries on the other side of the world, sorry. The West managed to develop it's economy on it's own and I see no reason why third-world countries can't do the same. It's their own fault obviously. We had it just as bad as Africa and still we succeeded - we defeated the plague, the inquisition and other terrible issues that put African civil wars to shame.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:44 · Score: 0

I wonder what the poot splash will look like.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:52 · Score: 1

Classy, Coward, real classy. "We had it just as bad", "It's their fault obviously". So you're saying slavery did nothing to get your precious USA ahead, nor did it do anything to keep Africa back? You're saying that endless western meddling has been nothing but positive and helpful to these "foreign countries on the other side of the world"? Just a coincidence that the countries with the most natural resources are the poorest, while folks in NY and London get filthy rich from stealing same?
I know, I know, don't feed the trolls.. Couldn't resist though, had to take the bait. What utter and unapologetic stupidity. You don't even deserve the TP, fool.
Re:Upgraded toilets by martin-boundary · 2012-02-22 22:06 · Score: 1

I don't know about you, but if the wall-paper for the new toilet is three seashells, I'll take my chances with being cryogenically frozen until December 31, 2999!
Re:Upgraded toilets by Joce640k · 2012-02-22 22:24 · Score: 2, Funny

"First World Problems", indeed.
Maybe you could employ an immigrant to wipe your ass for you. Do your bit to help the poor people.

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Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 22:35 · Score: -1

Mod parent up
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 23:53 · Score: -1

Complete nonsense. The souths industrial output with slave labor was staggering.
And the African tribes that sold rival tribes to Dutch slave traders were certainly much better off financially and politically.
We could decrease our welfare state and improve the lives of modern Negroes by sending our Mexican cousins back over the border to revolt and set up a new government based on ours, then SRS could have every able bodied Negro fill a job previously filled by illegal Mexican immigrants. Of course since they haven't much experience working and are basically lazy in that lifestyle to begin with, we will have to make the transition from welfare to work one way and deny any claims from quitters. It may even take two Negros to fill the place of one Mexican. In that case, merely pay them half. Pay them what they are worth just like anyone. Then we start making policies toward phasing out gangsta culture. Gang members may be imprisoned in a work camp in Rural Alaska, clearing the way for pipelines, replanting and caring for local flora and learn a new way of life while contributing.
Locally we can take a cue from the south and bring back the "prison road crew" this will offset some of the cost of both incarceration and road improvement. Then we will see how "state road crews" still stand around with their thumbs in their butts as the imprisoned Negros outwork them in public view.
Re:Upgraded toilets by flyneye · 2012-02-23 00:01 · Score: 0

Maybe we could employ an immigrant to design Bills potty! Wouldn't it be cool if the next Einstein or Tesla reinvents the crapper?
If you recall Bills buddy and inventor of the internet, Al Gore made policies that caused toilets not to be able to flush a complete steakhouse crap down with one flush. Seems Al wanted to save water and thought a one gallon flush would be just fine to wash his little vegetarian stool down the loo, unfortunately for the other 99% of the population that require human food this caused two flushes and aggravation. Kind of exposes the Repubmocrats picks for office as the tards they really are, doncha think? Beside the point.
I just want a toilet that flushes the way it's supposed to, then we add accessories. Priorities, jeez....

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Re:Upgraded toilets by flyneye · 2012-02-23 00:09 · Score: 0

Perhaps, if we invented toilet paper acceptable to Arabs, then Al Gore, the man who destroyed the working toilet with policy, wouldn't have to worry about any "left hand shakes" from visiting UAE dignitaries.
Just a thought...

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*Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 00:13 · Score: -1

Fuck Africa, and fuck those god damn niggers. I was born and live in the USA, and I'm not happy about a lot of things in this country (in fact, the government really has a tendency to piss me off).
Slavery is the worst thing our ancestors did in my opinion; why bring those worthless black motherfuckers over here? Now they're getting more rights and protection from the government than us, they're fucking all the white girls and making god damn Oreos, and they're just fucking up the country and mankind--period.
Hell, there's a fucking nigger in the Oval Office running the country further into the ground right now after G. W. Bush sent us on a sharp downward slope, we've got Nigger Luther King Day that just passed recently and causes all government functions to cease, and on top of that Nigger History Month--for whatever reason--gets to torment us for an entire fucking month. Now, why did we bring them black fuckwads over here with us again? To do our work for us? Well, I'm sorry, but it wasn't worth it. Those assfucks should have been left in Africa where they could continue swinging with the monkeys in the trees.
Now not only would the niggers need to be sent back to Africa, but so would any nigger-loving whites--otherwise, they'd have the niggers return. It'd be better if the motherfuckers stayed in Africa, and any white nigger-loving whores just shut up and move there too. Just get all the niggers, nigger lovers and oreos out of here.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 00:32 · Score: 2, Funny

Bill Gates should work on toilets that are more sanitary to use. First if we could avoid wiping with paper this would be awesome.
1. Visit Japan
2. Find a supplier
3. Import modern toilets
4. Profit!
Seriously. The Japanese have toilets that automatically wash and blow-dry your ass, and sing to you while they do it.
Meanwhile, we here in the "civilized West" still shit in porcelain buckets.
Re:Upgraded toilets by g0bshiTe · 2012-02-23 01:58 · Score: 1

I wonder if it gets infected if it operates slower. "Your request caused an invalid page fault in kernel32.flsh, Click here to report this problem"

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Re:Upgraded toilets by Samantha+Wright · 2012-02-23 02:27 · Score: 1

I'm sorry, you've never heard of a bidet? Look, I appreciate that you're trying to be a troll, but that's just lame.

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Re:Upgraded toilets by jbengt · 2012-02-23 04:00 · Score: 2

Have to comment, since I design plumbing for a living:
It's true that "water saving" 3.5 gal per flush water closets are no longer sold, but the current standard is 1.6 gallons per flush (not 1 gallon as stated by the parent post). There are some ultra-low flow units being sold that are 1.28 gallons per flush, but almost none less than that.
A few years after 1.6 gpf was mandated in most codes, testing was done which found that many 3.5 gallon-per-flush water closets performed worse than most of the new 1.6 gpf fixtures, and on average there was no real reduction in performance going with the lower flow fixtures. (Of course, if similar research and development had been put into the 3.5 gpf fixtures, they could have been improved)
While I do double flush, I have a 3.5 gpf toilet at my house that I regularly block up, and I'm pretty sure that I could stop up one of the old 5 gallons per flush toilets, too.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 04:25 · Score: 0

Please ${deity}, don't let all restaurants be Taco Bell. And Sylvester Stalone will be alive -- yet entirely plastic.
As long as commode sounds like a train rolled by when I'm finished, and I can move to another floor of the building to stink it up, I don't really care what they do with it.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Inconexo · 2012-02-23 04:34 · Score: 1

Maybe I should get used, but the sensation of being spitted on this zone wasn't confortable to me.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 06:00 · Score: 0

While I do double flush, I have a 3.5 gpf toilet at my house that I regularly block up, and I'm pretty sure that I could stop up one of the old 5 gallons per flush toilets, too.
Maybe you should have a doctor look in to that.
Re:Upgraded toilets by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 08:30 · Score: -1

So you're saying slavery did nothing to get your precious USA ahead, nor did it do anything to keep Africa back? You're saying that endless western meddling has been nothing but positive and helpful to these "foreign countries on the other side of the world"? Just a coincidence that the countries with the most natural resources are the poorest, while folks in NY and London get filthy rich from stealing same?
I know, I know, don't feed the trolls.. Couldn't resist though, had to take the bait. What utter and unapologetic stupidity. You don't even deserve the TP, fool.
Do you think Africa would have been better off if the West never visited? No AIDS, no exploitation, no stealing, but they'd still be running around naked, hunting with spears and living in mud huts, oblivious to cars, airplanes, internet, computers, etc. Which is better? Slavery, AIDS, exploitation, internet, airplanes, computers, cars, or living in a caveman-like society?

~200 years of slavery led to thousands of years of modern society, and besides aren't they worse than slaves now? They're given pennies to survive on, to toil away mining for gold and diamonds. At least as slaves the West fed and clothed and provided shelter like a domestic cat or dog vs a wild animal, do you think a wolf would give anything to trade places with your Dachshund?

I know, I know, don't feed the trolls.. Couldn't resist though....
Re:Upgraded toilets by flyneye · 2012-02-23 12:39 · Score: 1

Seems like newer toilets aren't as deep from seat to water level either. For me that's been a problem as well.
Plumbers in my city also install one of those water displacing bucket looking things in the tank. Probably a local thing but what a pain in the ass to have to uninstall some bureaucratic bucket. So I have even less water, but it feels good and right to pass the blame on to Al 'FAIL' Gore, so I guess I'll live.
Still kinda sucks to sit down and send willy for a dip in the cold on a strange toilet.

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*Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!

Bill Gates by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 18:41 · Score: -1

Bill Gates (1955–) Cofounder and chairman, Microsoft Corporation Born: October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. Education: Attended Harvard University, 1973–1975. Family: Son of William Henry Gates II (attorney) and Mary Maxwell (teacher); married Melinda French (Microsoft manager), January 1, 1994; children: three. Career: Lakeside Programming Group, 1968–1969, founder; Traf-O-Data, 1970–1973, founder; Microsoft Corporation, 1975–, founder and chairman; 1975–2000, CEO; 1992–1998, president. Awards: U.S. National Medal of Technology, 1993; Chief Executive of the Year, Chief Executive, 1994; President's Medal of Leadership Award, New York Institute of Technology, 1995; Louis Braille Gold Medal, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 2002; Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 2004. beach wedding dresses Publications: The Road Ahead (with Nathan Myhrvold and Peter Rinearson), 1995; Business @ the Speed of Thought, 1999. Address: Microsoft Corporation, 1 Microsoft Way, Building 8, North O, Redmond, Washington 98052-6399; William Henry Gates III cofounded the Microsoft Corporation in 1975, built his software company into the one of the most successful businesses in the world, and established himself in the process as the world's richest man. Although Bill Gates started Microsoft as a small business based on a single innovative software program that he had helped to develop, his real genius was his business acumen. As the long-time CEO of Microsoft, Gates was able to borrow and integrate other computer programmers' innovations and sell them to a new and rapidly expanding home computer market. In 1985, 10 years after Microsoft was founded, it had $140 million in revenue, which grew to $28 billion by 2002. One of the pioneers of home computing, Gates proved himself to be a technological visionary and software applications guru. According to industry analysts, he also demonstrated that he was a shrewd marketing strategist as well as an aggressive corporate leader. mdd3958504

MS Windows: Human energy into waste. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 18:43 · Score: 5, Funny

Has to be said.

Re:MS Windows: Human energy into waste. by Myria · 2012-02-22 22:49 · Score: 4, Funny

the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to spend millions to reinvent the toilet. That investment has born fruit
I'm not sure I want to know what kind of fruit a toilet has to bear.

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"Screw Sun, cross-platform will never work. Let's move on and steal the Java language." - Visual J++ Product Manager
Re:MS Windows: Human energy into waste. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 02:19 · Score: 1

Dingleberries?
Re:MS Windows: Human energy into waste. by Ihmhi · 2012-02-23 02:55 · Score: 1

Mushrooms?

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Re:MS Windows: Human energy into waste. by operagost · 2012-02-23 03:48 · Score: 1

Is maize a fruit?

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Re:MS Windows: Human energy into waste. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 05:00 · Score: 0

Don't eat corn from the brown cob!

I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 18:43 · Score: 3, Funny

I don't want to say anything bad about Bill, but this sounds like a pretty shitty idea.

Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 18:46 · Score: -1

I don't want to say anything bad about Bill, but this sounds like a pretty shitty idea.
Yes. Saying bad things about Bill Gates would really be very tasteless.

Let's tell nigger jokes instead.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Intelligenta · 2012-02-22 19:00 · Score: 5, Informative

To be honest, the amount of good Bill Gates has done for the world is quite remarkable. Since 2007 he has given away $28 billion, saving 6 million lives. That's $2 billion more than US budget for foreign aid. Say what you want about Gates or Microsoft, but he really has helped the world with the money he made.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by DSS11Q13 · 2012-02-22 19:05 · Score: 1

sure, but how many bombs has he dropped?
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by SaidinUnleashed · 2012-02-22 19:07 · Score: 4, Funny

You mean, other than Windows Me?

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by maroberts · 2012-02-22 19:39 · Score: 1

You mean, other than Windows Me?
..plus Vista

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Sulphur · 2012-02-22 19:41 · Score: 1

You mean, other than Windows Me?
Bob will get you for that.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 20:29 · Score: 1, Interesting

He is a wolf in sheepclothes and in bed with one of the most dangerous companies in the world, Monsanto.
No amount of good can make up for the criminal acts of that company.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Volguus+Zildrohar · 2012-02-22 20:48 · Score: 5, Funny

You mean, other than Windows Me?
..plus Vista
Come on guys, don't mock the guy just because his earlier public toilet initiatives were less effective.

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When confronted with one problem, some think "I'll use recursion". Now they are confronted with one problem.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 20:51 · Score: 0

Oooh, I love this game.
Not even if it brought about world peace as prosperity for all time (without murdering or lobotomizing the entire world -- I know how evil genie minds work!)?
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by KiloByte · 2012-02-22 21:38 · Score: 1, Interesting

A good part of that money goes into ensuring that developing countries will never be able to produce drugs they need on their own. They get pre-made drugs, counting their worth at a few orders of magnitude above the manufacture cost, with a string attached: in order to receive free drugs, they need to pass laws forbidding domestic manufacture of said drugs, aka "respecting intellectual property".
Also, promoting Monsanto. Or, putting $50M into promoting male genital mutilation in Kenya while civilised people try to stop that barbaric practice.
So Bill Gates' charity is double-edged at best.

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The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Taco+Cowboy · 2012-02-22 21:47 · Score: 1

You mean, other than Windows Me?
Bob will get you for that
Melinda Gates.
She was the one in charged of "Bob"

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 22:14 · Score: 0

And why, oh why would dear Billy boy want to deny those poor people affordable drugs?
Because he is in cohoots with the Club of Rome (wikipedia.org), a think tank that is very concerned with the limits of world population growth, and the implied Malthusian catastrophe we probably face as a species.
Which goes to show that in spite of these feel-good stories that we're all too happy to publish and read, at the end of the day it is still a rich white guy doling out whatever he deems is appropriate to a bunch of poor brown guys. And at the end of the game, there will be one drug that M'beki can't afford and that you and I can't afford but that Dick Cheney and Bill Gates can afford, and as long as his money's still good he'll live and we'll die.
You can call it philanthropy, I guess, but it is -not- altruistic. It's the same breed of philanthropy a gangbanger undertakes when he "makes it rain" on a stripper--the philanthropy of slavedrivers, forcing nations to kowtow and sign up for more years of poison before they can be hooked into life support.
JK / I'm just a cynic / please CIA don't kill me with bullet cancer. (youtube.com)
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by queBurro · 2012-02-22 22:25 · Score: 1

sort of like Robin Hood? stealing from the poor, and then giving some of that back... to the poor?

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sag
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 23:51 · Score: 0

Hear hear! The article's insulting cover pic belies the good works Gates has done.
It's possible to hate Vista and still like Bill, people.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Tarlus · 2012-02-23 03:52 · Score: 2

I would hate to think about all that money going down the crapper.

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 04:21 · Score: 0

Actually, you can completely thank his wife. His wife is 99% of the spirity behind that money. Bill is along for the ride and good will which naturally falls out. Gates is a loser who got lucky because IBM screwed up horribly.
subject
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Dishevel · 2012-02-23 04:34 · Score: 1

You mean, other than Windows Me?
..plus Vista
Don't forget the ribbon.

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by DigiTechGuy · 2012-02-23 04:47 · Score: 1

Sounds like the US government.
Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by mcgrew · 2012-02-23 05:20 · Score: 1

Or, putting $50M into promoting male genital mutilation in Kenya
You do realise that this "mutilation" greatly reduces the risk of STDs and that over half the men who are "mutilated" as adults report a greater satisfaction of sex after the surgery heals?
When I was stationed in Thailand in the USAF, one of my buddies got jungle rot on his foreskin, and the treatment was "mutilation". Poor guy had to carry around amyl nitrate "poppers" for six weeks until it healed in case he got an erection.
I was glad I'd been "mutilated" at birth when there's no pain and no stitches and little blood so there was no risk of jungle rot on my dick.
Admit it, you hate circumcision because the Jewish and Muslim religions demand it (I am neither), and you hate religion. You probably consider religion itself to be barbaric and uncivilized. I'll tell you what, you make the choices you want for your own children and keep your nose out of everyone else's business.

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by schlachter · 2012-02-23 05:45 · Score: 1

Windows ME...was not a TOILET effort.
Windows ME...was SHIT

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Re:I don't want to attack Bill Gates. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 06:34 · Score: 0

Please do some research on it -- I have, and it's gross. The only time it makes sense to remove foreskin is when there's a real problem, like your friend had.

KISS Principle by EnempE · 2012-02-22 18:48 · Score: 5, Insightful

Some of these things seem rather complicated and use materials that aren't easy to obtain.

To provide greater benefit the machine should be able to be manufactured without specialized tools and be able to be built with universally available, preferably recyclable or re-purposed materials. If people can make a living out of making and servicing these toilets then the sanitary and economic (from the created industry) benefit will spread quickly and independently without requiring the oversight of a foreign NGO.

Re:KISS Principle by davester666 · 2012-02-22 20:08 · Score: 2

They just use a small amount of enriched uranium to aid in tracking where each unit is at all times. Geiger counters are cheaper than RFID readers and more reliable.

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Re:KISS Principle by XrayJunkie · 2012-02-22 21:26 · Score: 1

Thats right, but if you want more "advanced" products, you need advanced production systems.
There are some products that realize a good idea, but look around: new, better products come along with high-tech and feature rich functionality often realized by new materials, more software, state-of-the-art electronics and so on. And that is what brings an economy forward. Examples: Direct Manufactoring (http://dmrc.uni-paderborn.de/en/about-dmrc/?cHash=3be59309b4fe2e5a416267b052bcf74f), Molded interconnect devices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molded_interconnect_device).

There are so many research initiatives (at least in germany) to push intelligent systems (buzzword: cyber physical systems) forward.
Re:KISS Principle by westlake · 2012-02-23 05:27 · Score: 1

If people can make a living out of making and servicing these toilets then the sanitary and economic (from the created industry) benefit will spread quickly and independently without requiring the oversight of a foreign NGO.
This is the same argument Negroponte made for the OLPC laptop.
1.84 million distributed.
24,000 to Asia.
360,000 to Uruguay
870,000 to Peru.
One Laptop per Child
Re:KISS Principle by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 05:32 · Score: 0

You're assuming these toilets are for 3rd/4th world areas...
Re:KISS Principle by Sentrion · 2012-02-23 05:36 · Score: 1

Sooner or later, more and more "advanced" products that depend on advanced production systems will eventually lead to a "technology crash." Consider that up until the semiconductor era, most manufactured devices could be replicated, customized, modified, and even produced in small quantities by an experienced, knowledgeable, and determined hobbyist working out of his garage. Even more complicated manufactured goods could still be completely fabricated by a relatively small group of workers operating from a single location. Granted, a majority of raw materials has never been universally available in any particular location in the world, but ever since the industrial revolution the availability of scrap material made it possible for an individual hobbyist or small group of workers to build just about anything imaginable, with only the scale of the product being a limiting factor (for instance, heavy-cargo ship building requires more workers and materials than what might be available in a small town, and same can be said for mass-production of any product).
But most of the "high tech" products of our modern time depend on semiconductor materials and the massive infrastructure, logistics, and manpower to produce these materials and configure them for their final application. Once in the hands of a hobbyist or developer, there is no limit to what products can be produced from semiconductor devices such as transistors, integrated circuits, microprocessors, FPGAs, and so on. But the hobbyist cannot produce these components "from scratch". If necessary it is possible to build your own resistors, inductors, capacitors, transformers, etc. There are hobbyists today who continue to practice the ancient arts of blacksmithing and glassblowing, but the exotic and dangerous chemicals, as well as the very precise and high-energy equipment required to produce even a basic integrated circuit is way beyond what is doable on the local level. And unlike metal or glass, semiconductors do not tend to hold up well in a scrapyard environment, and most semiconductor products are too specific to be easily adapted for alternative purposes.
So a horrendous global economic event, wide-scale natural disaster, severe energy shortages, or world war that leads to the closure of semiconductor foundries could make much of the products we use on daily basis virtually unrepairable and replaceable. As for the developing world, especially in Africa, which still lacks much of the heavy infrastructure available in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the focus should be on developing "appropriate technology" that allows the local population to grow economically without being entirely dependent on a constant flow of high-tech imports. Because of the lack of wealth in many parts of African nations, relying on imported products that must be maintained with imported parts and often imported expertise, this approach is simply not sustainable and leads to increasing debt, which is already a major obstacle for most of the developing countries in Africa. Bringing tools and technology to the local populations that allow them to develop their own internal local expertise, and their own systems for distribution and service, and the independence to locally produce and maintain their own tools, up to and including developing their own improvements to these tools and technologies may be the best way for these areas to develop. I'm not saying deprive them of computing power or specialized tools, but the "gizmos" they need to use on an everyday basis should be easily user-serviceable with locally available materials. The complexity of the devices may be able to increase as the infrastructure, technological savvy, and wealth of the local population improves over time.
I believe that people in developed nations would also do well to possess and be familiar with tools and technology that are not entirely dependent on semiconductors and other advanced technology for some of the same reasons I have already mentioned. The dependence on semiconductors is p
Re:KISS Principle by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 09:08 · Score: 0

I don't want enriched uranium near my unit.
Re:KISS Principle by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-24 17:24 · Score: 0

Some of these things seem rather complicated and use materials that aren't easy to obtain.
To provide greater benefit the machine should be able to be manufactured without specialized tools and be able to be built with universally available, preferably recyclable or re-purposed materials. If people can make a living out of making and servicing these toilets then the sanitary and economic (from the created industry) benefit will spread quickly and independently without requiring the oversight of a foreign NGO.
Wouldn't applying these principles to toilet design result in a squat hole in a ground with a pit?

Crucial by BoydWaters · 2012-02-22 18:51 · Score: 5, Insightful

Anyone who thinks this is a silly idea needs to spend two weeks in a city without modern plumbing.

Re:Crucial by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 22:20 · Score: 0

Anyone who thinks this is a silly idea needs to spend two weeks in a city without modern plumbing.
Amsterdam is still nice
Re:Crucial by EasyTarget · 2012-02-22 22:44 · Score: 2

Yep.. they go out on Friday and are collected on Sunday, dead handy for the Friday night party crowd and much better than having desperate and partied-out people pissing in doorways.
Behind those doorways is a city with sufficient toilets backed by a infrastructure that, although aging, still works and is being improved.

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"Oops, I always forget the purpose of competition is to divide people into winners and losers." - Hobbes

Must be missing something... by GumphMaster · 2012-02-22 18:57 · Score: 4, Insightful

Why reinvent the toilet when we already have perfectly functional, no-energy (or very low energy) composting toilet and urine diversion options? What is it about these options that does not meet the criteria?

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Re:Must be missing something... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:11 · Score: 4, Insightful

Why reinvent the toilet when we already have perfectly functional, no-energy (or very low energy) composting toilet and urine diversion options? What is it about these options that does not meet the criteria?

Somebody influential won't make a profit.
Re:Must be missing something... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:16 · Score: 4, Funny

You mean somebody effluential won't make a profit
Re:Must be missing something... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:17 · Score: 0

So what do you do with that kind of toilet when you have serious diarrhea? How do you clean without water and a brush?
Re:Must be missing something... by CoopersPale · 2012-02-22 19:24 · Score: 1

Was going to say the same thing - these don't sound like viable options for low tech third world situations.
Re:Must be missing something... by dmomo · 2012-02-22 19:55 · Score: 1

Who influential stands to make a profit from this? Not Bill Gates. So who are you talking about?
Re:Must be missing something... by OrigamiMarie · 2012-02-22 20:08 · Score: 1

High population density. I doubt that standard composting toilets continue to be sufficient when your population moves into 4-story, close together apartment buildings.
Re:Must be missing something... by wvmarle · 2012-02-22 20:43 · Score: 1

FTA:

Come up with a toilet alternative that doesn't need plumbed water, a sewer system, electricity and will cost 5 cents or less per user daily to build and maintain.
This are the requirements, and the toilet you mention seems to fulfill them easily. The main objection may be capacity, as composting is a fairly slow process so you need a relatively large volume, especially when there are many users using it for their daily needs, and not a remote-highway-stop type of service.
Actually solutions mentioned in the article include microwaves, mechanical rollers and other powered parts. This needs electricity. The cost is also going to be an issue, though the microwaves produce CO and H2 and the system may be able to produce its own energy that way.
The proposed solutions also sound really high-tech at first glance. Not suitable for the application, imho. It should be easy to maintain, and low-maintenance, with easy to obtain parts.
Re:Must be missing something... by wvmarle · 2012-02-22 20:49 · Score: 1

The same way they do this now. With the difference that then they have something like a toilet to begin with.
Re:Must be missing something... by gl4ss · 2012-02-22 22:43 · Score: 1

5cents or less is easy - if you don't count any cost for work hours for maintaining. if you do then moving the shit around becomes pretty expensive.
actually the real problems rise probably from it having to be practical in a high density african ghetto.
I for one hate wood wc's.

--
world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
Re:Must be missing something... by EasyTarget · 2012-02-22 22:49 · Score: 1

Who influential stands to make a profit from this? Not Bill Gates. So who are you talking about?
Err.. well, definately "Not Bill Gates".. He made his money through software monopolies not sewage monopolies, so I guess they are talking about, you know, other people.. ie the ones who want to maintain their monopoly on the provision of sewage infrastructure. In this case Bill is behaving as a good guy and deserves credit.

--
"Oops, I always forget the purpose of competition is to divide people into winners and losers." - Hobbes
Re:Must be missing something... by wvmarle · 2012-02-23 00:05 · Score: 1

It specifically states "to build and maintain" so maintenance is included. Disposal of the waste presumably not, though.
Re:Must be missing something... by operagost · 2012-02-23 03:53 · Score: 1

I notice that "doesn't smell horrible and attract flies" is not one of the requirements. One of the reasons we use water in our toilets is to use it to block the trap so that smells don't come up. The waterless urinals (which I think are great) work because they replace the water with a fluid that floats on top of the urine. You still need the sewer system... you just don't need the water supply.

--

Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Re:Must be missing something... by jakedata · 2012-02-23 03:58 · Score: 2

I own several composting toilets. I am looking forward to something far better.
If you want to "flush" to the composting location then you need an ultra-low water head. This is problematic for many reasons. If you don't want a flush then you need to rely on gravity and need a vent fan to keep the bad air out of the house. This is problematic too.
If the compost gets too dry, the process slows, and you end up with fungus that attracts fungus flies. If the compost gets too wet, well ewww.... you have to clean out the system before it overflows.
In winter the compost may not generate enough heat to keep the system from freezing. More ewww...
It is especially difficult to run a system with guests. Imagine spending 10 minutes explaining how to use the toilet. What can go in, what can't, how to flush, what is that stuff down there...
Re:Must be missing something... by St.Creed · 2012-02-23 04:42 · Score: 2

It is especially difficult to run a system with guests. Imagine spending 10 minutes explaining how to use the toilet. What can go in, what can't, how to flush, what is that stuff down there...
You still get guests? Wow :)

--
Therefore, by the (faulty) logic you're using, you're just a cow with a keyboard - osu-neko (2604)
Re:Must be missing something... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 09:58 · Score: 0

Places without plumbing should try the concepts put forth in The Humanure Handbook. The basic idea is you just shit in a 5 gallon bucket and cover it up with sawdust to eliminate the odor. The bucket is periodically emptied into a compost pile. The book can be read for free here: http://humanurehandbook.com/downloads/Humanure_Handbook_all.pdf
Re:Must be missing something... by GumphMaster · 2012-02-23 10:36 · Score: 1

Thanks for answering the question from a point of knowledge. Some of these are less likely to be an issue in tropical Kenya where 'winter' low temperatures are above 13 Celsius (55F). Any toilet system is going to require some maintenance though, just as western flush toilets do (it is just removed from sight). When your options are no sanitation, and some sanitation that requires a bit of effort, perhaps the impediments are not so great.

--
Patent litigation: A doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction... in which everyone seems willing to push the button
Re:Must be missing something... by wvmarle · 2012-02-23 18:12 · Score: 1

I think the smell issue may be implied as has to be solved too.
And those existing waterless urinals then still need some kind of liquid (I guess an oil), so won't be suitable for this use. It all indicates how hard the problem really is, and why no-one yet has found a good solution.

This is too obvious surely... by Kained · 2012-02-22 19:04 · Score: 1

Another way to make money out of a piece of crap! ;)

Well... by Literaphile · 2012-02-22 19:07 · Score: 1

His career is sure going into the crapper.

Useless by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:08 · Score: -1

Current toilets are just fine. This money would be better spent on toilet training those barbarians that don't know how to use one.

Brace yourself by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:08 · Score: 0

Toilet jokes are coming

Apple got there first by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:14 · Score: -1

In a joint project with Foxconn Apple already reinvented the toilet.

http://slashdot.org/story/12/02/15/184244/foxconns-other-dirty-secret-the-worlds-largest-internship-program

squat don't sit by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:15 · Score: -1, Offtopic

how about we tell the truth about root causes of cancer. if you sit, alot of shit gets backed up

The hate by santax · 2012-02-22 19:27 · Score: 5, Insightful

Long time linux lover here. Long time hater of MS policy and business practice. However, this man, who was once the richest man in the world has in the latest 15 years of his life great things for humanity. Things that actually make a different for people. I don't care how much you hate windows or Gates as the former president of that company, but surely you can't be against him spending so much of his fortune (and sure, he has enough money to have a comfortable life even with doing this) to make lifes better... Give the guy a break on this part. He has spend a fortune on his foundation and did so with many great projects that actually got shit done. (no phun intended)

Re:The hate by Darinbob · 2012-02-22 19:41 · Score: 1

Meanwhile, Ellison builds boats.
Re:The hate by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 20:08 · Score: 0

Multiple issues with this:
1) motivation: his wife is doing this to improve his image. So, he is simply following what other industrial criminals did. So, no, I am not that impressed.
2) a number of his attempts are insane. For starters, he wants to wipe out a species of mosquitoes. Yet, it is finally becoming apparent in science that virus give us our leaps in evolution. As such, mosquitoes transmit these virus.; wanting to stop hurricanes in the atlantic due to economic issues. All the while he ignores that the hurricanes serves as a pump to bring up nutrients from much lower in the oceans to the surface.
3) for all his spending of money, it has been tied back to MS.
4) he is a huge drain on the western economy and IP. even now he is looking to take american nuke tech and transfer to china.
5) the man misses doing any real things: building up space infrastructure; building up maglev or other high-speed rail in America.

Sorry, but not impressed by him.
Re:The hate by billcopc · 2012-02-22 20:57 · Score: 4, Insightful

If I'm reading you correctly, you'd rather see him widen the wealth gap between the U.S. hyper-rich and the 3rd world ? The funny thing about wealth gaps is they tend to trigger acts of extreme violence to rebalance the equation. It is FAR more beneficial to humankind, to help the 3rd world deal with some of their most basic problems. Who's to say, maybe in 30 years from now, an African that was given access to education, sanitation and employment might discover a (realistic) cure for AIDS.
I'd go as far as saying that there is not much hope left for the U.S., because its control structures are far beyond repair, its human capital bottlenecked by the very pursuit of wealth. Throwing more money into a broken hyperpower only makes the rich richer. Throwing money into a 3rd world nation has the potential to bring sweeping changes.
Ultimately, it's about inching toward a unified world view. To think or act otherwise is notihng more than racism and elitism.

--
-Billco, Fnarg.com
Re:The hate by maroberts · 2012-02-22 21:46 · Score: 1

Multiple issues with this:
1) motivation: his wife is doing this to improve his image. So, he is simply following what other industrial criminals did. So, no, I am not that impressed.
2) a number of his attempts are insane. For starters, he wants to wipe out a species of mosquitoes. Yet, it is finally becoming apparent in science that virus give us our leaps in evolution. As such, mosquitoes transmit these virus.; wanting to stop hurricanes in the atlantic due to economic issues. All the while he ignores that the hurricanes serves as a pump to bring up nutrients from much lower in the oceans to the surface.
3) for all his spending of money, it has been tied back to MS.
4) he is a huge drain on the western economy and IP. even now he is looking to take american nuke tech and transfer to china.
5) the man misses doing any real things: building up space infrastructure; building up maglev or other high-speed rail in America.
Sorry, but not impressed by him.
I'm not Bills biggest fan, but I am impressed by his projects. With respect to
1) Even Scrooge was only converted late in life
2) mosquitoes are the worlds biggest people killer. Obviously some approaches to solving the problem have issues. Malaria has been around for ages and all it seems to have given some people is sickle cells
3) his money has to come from somewhere
4) Bill was not really the patent troll that Microsoft seems to becoming. I don't think that Microsoft was really active in the patents field whilst he was in charge.
5) is more Paul Allens field, so maybe he's ensuring that between the two of them they give wide coverage. All the high tech projects do not really benefit the worlds poor, and can be funded in other ways, so why should he do it.

--
Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
Karma: Chameleon
Re:The hate by operagost · 2012-02-23 04:00 · Score: 2

U.S. hyper-rich and the 3rd world

Why are we focusing on the USA?

I'd go as far as saying that there is not much hope left for the U.S., because its control structures are far beyond repair, its human capital bottlenecked by the very pursuit of wealth.

Oh, I see. Maybe it's because there is no free market, just crony capitalism?

Ultimately, it's about inching toward a unified world view. To think or act otherwise is notihng more than racism and elitism.

Ad hominems are no substitute for hard data.

--

Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Re:The hate by dave420 · 2012-02-23 04:37 · Score: 1

So you don't have a point, you're just upset with who you assume Bill Gates to be, regardless of how accurately your idea resembles the real-life Bill Gates. Muppet.
Re:The hate by DNS-and-BIND · 2012-02-23 04:58 · Score: 0

So, let me get this straight. Either I agree with you, or I'm a racist. Is that right? That seems to me to be the conclusion. Homework: is this wrong when you do it, or was it wrong when Bu$hitler did it? Compare and contrast. Look up 'hypocrite' in the dictionary and be sure to use the word at least three times in your work.

--
Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
Re:The hate by Raenex · 2012-02-23 06:12 · Score: 1

If I'm reading you correctly, you'd rather see him widen the wealth gap between the U.S. hyper-rich and the 3rd world ? The funny thing about wealth gaps is they tend to trigger acts of extreme violence to rebalance the equation.
Not necessarily. Many of the modern acts of terrorism are by people relatively well off with time on their hands. When was the last time a poor, African country threatened the security of the United States?
Re:The hate by DarkOx · 2012-02-23 06:42 · Score: 1

So some does what is determined to be illegal and predatory business; to effective levy an economic rent on you and me. He then pretty well buys off the justice system so the prosecution settles for him paying his debt to society largely with more copies of his own shovelware given to schools and government, that costs him next to nothing to produce and actually if anything further secure his companies dominant position.
He becomes amazingly rich at least partly at the expense of everyone who has ever gone near PC here in the states, but its okay because he is now giving it away?
If I stole your car but gave it to charity later would you be alright with it? Is it the fact that he spread it out more that makes it okay? Lift a few hundred from one and its serious crime but nick a penny from 300,000 and that's cool?

--
Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
Re:The hate by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 07:08 · Score: 0

This is BS. The guy keeps "selling" the fact that GMO is the best for poor countries. Give it free one year, destroys local crops and stops funding to move to another place. Get facts before claiming the guy is doing good for humanity !
Re:The hate by mcgrew · 2012-02-23 08:11 · Score: 1

Gates was talked into being a philanthropist by his father -- an IBM lawyer. My thought is it's just PR. It isn't like he can't afford it or something.
Me, I have far more respect for the waitress who throws a ten dollar bill in the Salvation Army bucket. That ten bucks actually means something to her, what Gates spends doesn't affect his life or lifestyle at all.

--
Free Martian Whores!
Re:The hate by doesnothingwell · 2012-02-23 08:12 · Score: 1

Computer industry in the crapper and all I got was a new itoilet. The man was, is, and always will be a greedy turd. Bill Gates 2.0 didn't build the american computer industry he raped it for a profit and then sold it for his new life. I want the hours of my life back for all those install codes and failed WGA checks.
I earned this hate, I'd like to punch him in the nose.

--
They can have my command prompt when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.
Re:The hate by billcopc · 2012-02-23 08:47 · Score: 1

Sooo.... can I invoke Godwin's law here ?
What I'm saying is that refusing to help those in need and abroad, in favour of concentrating wealth and power locally, is akin to racism. It's not an attack, it's a statement. I really don't see how that has anything to do with Bu$hitler. They planted racist ideologies to further their grossly tyrannical agendas. That's the opposite of what I'm saying.

--
-Billco, Fnarg.com
Re:The hate by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-25 18:11 · Score: 0

Yes, wiping out an entire species of insect is a brilliant idea. Lets just not at all take into account that our ecosystem is already losing diversity, shrinking, and becoming unstable. Lets also ignore the fact that we constantly find new ways that different species and types of organisms interact with each other to either develop a symbiotic survival method or keep each other in check. I say we just wipe every species of anything off the Earth except us, cows, potatoes, and grain. What more can a man need except a source of steak, baked potatoes, and something to distill booze from?

The shills Re:The hate by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:40 · Score: 0, Troll

Long time Cheerios lover here. Long time hater of Captain Crunch Cereal policy and business practice. However, this man, who was once the richest man in the world has in the latest 15 years of his life great things for humanity. Things that actually make a different for people. I don't care how much you hate Captain Crunch cereal or Captain Crunch as the former president of that company, but surely you can't be against him spending so much of his fortune (and sure, he has enough money to have a comfortable life even with doing this) to make lifes better... Give the guy a break on this part. He has spend a fortune on his foundation and did so with many great projects that actually got shit done. (no phun intended)

See how easily anyone can post bullshit? Drop the act, you probably don't use Linux, and you're willingly able to post this dramatic post in favor of "this man". Next will you tell us you're a member of the lollipop guild?

""No, you're wrong. Microsoft's "evil", insofar as I'm concerned, has to do with the companies and technologies that never had a chance because someone at Microsoft decided to steal it, buy it or just destroy it. That someone was often William H. Gates. The Personal Computer Revolution was largely stolen from us, because we all got forced to go the Redmond way. There's no point in going over Microsoft's other evils, such as the fact that it is a Grade-A government-certified illegally acquired-and-maintained monopoly. Now, monopolies aren't necessarily evil or illegal â¦ but Microsoft's is, on both counts. And don't try to excuse them as just being, you know, basically decent people who make honest mistakes. Microsoft is a criminal organization that has maintained a consistent pattern of unlawful activity throughout its entire corporate existence. And so far as Apple and Google are concerned, it sounds like you're excusing Microsoft's bad behavior because well, you know, Apple and Google might be as bad, but we don't know yet so let's give Microsoft a pass for now. Look nobody knows whether we are alone in the Universe â¦ but the question of whether that company is good or evil has been answered. They were taken to court over the issue of their monopoly status and lost. So yeah, Microsoft is evil, and the pattern of general nastiness persists to this very day. Why do you think the European Union is giving them such a hard time? Have you been following the OOXML fiasco, with Microsoft attempting to buy their way into a standard? No, I suggest you keep Googling Microsoft: it's obvious you've not been around long enough to have experienced their evil firsthand. I've been in the software business since before Microsoft was a gleam in Bill Gates' eye, and I've seen the damage he and his brainchild have caused. Bill can give all his money to charity if he wants, but there's no Undo button for what he's done.""
-- http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=390138&cid=21711174

Re:The shills Re:The hate by santax · 2012-02-22 19:45 · Score: 2

I don't think you understand me. Not trying to speak up for MS at all. Speaking up for a guy who changed lives. On the pc - for the worst. In Afrika - for the better. And next time, show some balls. Use your account.
Re:The shills Re:The hate by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 03:16 · Score: 0

See how easily anyone can post bullshit? Drop the act, you probably don't use Linux, and you're willingly able to post this dramatic post in favor of "this man". Next will you tell us you're a member of the lollipop guild?
His posting history proves you wrong. Long list of posts going way back defending Debian, discussing merits of KDE vs other Linux GUIs etc.
Arrogant, insecure zeelots that jump to shill/astroturf accusations as soon as someone have a different viewpoint have made this the new Goodwin's law on Slashdot. You lose.
Re:The shills Re:The hate by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 14:08 · Score: 0

"I don't think you understand me. Not trying to speak up for MS at all. Speaking up for a guy who changed lives. On the pc - for the worst. In Afrika - for the better. And next time, show some balls. Use your account."
Don't try to get around the issue by saying I didn't understand, I did and responded in kind. Balls? I don't have an account because I don't want lifeless nerd stalkers. The balls was all in the post, which you've ducked cowardly.

always making... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:45 · Score: -1

...money from shit.

Bill should focus on family planning by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 19:47 · Score: -1

The flush toilet has been ubiquitous amongst white people for at least 100 years, but somehow these repulsive, ignorant brown people haven't even been able to come up with an outhouse. I read that in Haiti, after the quake, Canadian soldiers were digging latrines for the indigent locals because they couldn't be bothered to do that themselves. Honestly, what type of person can't dig a latrine? It's not like they had anything better to do.

I've also read that Mexican farm workers often do their business in the field, rather than returning to the washroom.

These people are never going to change, no matter how much Bill wastes on them. His money would be better spent having these animals sterilized so we can be rid of the problems they cause once and for all someday.

The frictionless toilet bowl... by Narcocide · 2012-02-22 19:57 · Score: 1

... please Uncle Bill, hear our desperate plea. Save us from the brown streaks.

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Does It Clean Your Asshole? by Greyfox · 2012-02-22 20:02 · Score: 4, Interesting

I've been pondering this recently. Here in the USA we tend to feel pretty holier-than-though, but for the most part we have pretty dirty assholes. I mean, poo touched that and we just wipe it off with some paper. If poo touched your hand, would you be content to wipe it off with paper? So why do we tolerate it with our assholes?

I'd love to see some demographics on countries sorted by asshole cleanliness. I'm guessing that just like education and health care, the USA would be solidly in the middle of the pack. I suspect that Japan probably would have the most-clean assholes in the world, just based on their high end toilet technology. I'm not sure I want to speculate on the dirty end of the scale so as not to risk diplomatic incident.

--

I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 20:33 · Score: 0, Informative

How is the parent comment anything but a mean-spirited attack on Americans? it is certainly off-topic and should be moderated as such. They use toilet paper in Japan, too. In fact, Japan is so "advanced" that they sometimes don't supply any toilet paper at all in their bathroom stalls.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:03 · Score: 1

If poo touched your hand, would you be content to wipe it off with paper? So why do we tolerate it with our assholes?
Perhaps it is because you tend to not pick up food with your asshole and then put it in your mouth, or (and more likely imho) because we can't smell it.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:04 · Score: 0

I feel that the fact that I don't eat with my asshole or pick things up with my asshole makes a considerable difference in terms of how clean I need my hands and my asshole to be.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:06 · Score: 0

its funny. laugh.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by donscarletti · 2012-02-22 21:48 · Score: 3, Interesting

I recommend the arse cleaning hoses found in Malaysia. They don't have the size or expense of a seperate bidet and they're not resident in the unhygenic toilet pot like Japanese integrated bidets. You just lift it off its hook on the wall, point the spray nozzle at your butthole, twist the tap and bam, no more shit on your o-ring. But either way, the European bidet has existed for a century now, there's always been that option at home, the Malaysian hose is the only option small, cheap and simple enough for institutional toilets.

--
When Argumentum ad Hominem falls short, try Argumentum ad Matrem
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by PolygamousRanchKid+ · 2012-02-22 21:58 · Score: 1

I'd love to see some demographics on countries sorted by asshole cleanliness.
Google for the magazine "Viz and "The Bottom Inspectors" . . . the Office of Bottom Inspectors are responsible for this in the UK:
if your bottom is pimpled
or flabby and dimpled
if your cleft hair is not winnet free
if inadequate wiping
has caused gusset striping
then your bottom belongs to me
your bottom belongs to me

--
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 00:05 · Score: 0

You don't need Japanese high tech to adequately clean your ass. In many civilized countries we have this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidet. Honestly, I don't understand why there are some countries where bidets are not standard. Also, a separate hose (like a shower hose) is a good alternative if there's not enough space.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by exa · 2012-02-23 01:46 · Score: 2

Dude, you have a funny way of putting this hygiene problem so I'll answer :) This happens to be a problem that I've thought about sporadically!
In our country, Turkey, we use both toilet paper and water to clean our assholes. Because traditionally, in the ala turca toilet they used water. So we ended up adding a small water pipe to the ala franca closet.
But I have never seen a Japanese toilet. Is it possible that they use a water jet, and then a robotic asshole cleaning wipe with nanotech disinfectants, a laser to kill germs, and then a warm air jet which dries the said area, with complimentary cream on demand?

--
--exa--
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by ChinggisK · 2012-02-23 02:19 · Score: 3, Funny

Bah, you think the RIAA is bad, just you wait until Big Toilet Paper has its business model threatened by modern technology...
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by roman_mir · 2012-02-23 03:26 · Score: 1

Search for 'Washlet Syndrome'. There is a price to pay for everything, including being extra clean.

--
You can't handle the truth.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by nedlohs · 2012-02-23 03:46 · Score: 4, Funny

I don't touch my food with my asshole.
Nor do I touch door handles and other things that other people will touch with my asshole.
Nor do I "shake assholes" with people.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by ffflala · 2012-02-23 07:23 · Score: 1

I've often wondered why a brief post-dump shower isn't as common a part of US cultural bathroom habits as post-dump hand washing is. Residential bathrooms usually have both a toilet and a shower already, so for most situations this would simply involve an adjustment of one's bathroom habits: no additional equipment required. A hand-held shower nozzle can speed things up, but isn't necessary.
Re:Does It Clean Your Asshole? by SleazyRidr · 2012-02-23 08:49 · Score: 1

For the lazy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan#Washlet_Syndrome

--
Is 1563649 a prime number?

How about fresh clean water instead?? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 20:16 · Score: 0

How about working on infrastructure to get plenty of fresh clean water to these people? Perhaps enough water so they could grow more crops too?

Re:How about fresh clean water instead?? by bigsexyjoe · 2012-02-22 21:51 · Score: 1

The reinvented toilet can be part of the solution to that problem.

--
Democracy Now! - your daily, uncensored, corporate-free

I love Bill Gates by Zoxed · 2012-02-22 20:16 · Score: 1

Hey, Slashdot poster: I love Bill Gates: I just wish people would stop taking the piss out of him.

This is highly overrated by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 20:38 · Score: 3, Insightful

Look, we can separate this into 2 different camps: developed vs. undeveloped.
In the developed world, we have plumbing throughout, so the flush sends it to a central area. Now, how useful is that? 2 words: Joules Biotech. They are using genetically modified cyanobacteria, to kick out ethanol and diesel fuel. So, why is this special? Because this uses our sewage as feedstock. IOW, it turns crap into fuel. OTOH, the ideas being pushed here, require loads of energy to try and get rid of crap.

Then you have the undeveloped world. Basically, we are talking, no plumbing. So, what matters most to them? Soap and a water bowl. Yes. For the vast majority of the world, they use their left hand to wipe their ass(which is why you do not use your left hand in nearly all parts of the world). We could help the undeveloped world by simply getting them resources such as soap to kill the bacteria that are on their hands, esp. the left one. For those of you that think that this is funny, keep in mind that the single highest killer of babies in 3rd world nations is diarrhea. Much of that is from the parents or siblings having dirty hands.

Re:This is highly overrated by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 21:29 · Score: -1

Look, we can separate this into 2 different camps: developed vs. undeveloped.
Developed world; pumps the water out of aquifers and rivers. Shits, dumps water and shit somewhere distant after treating. Aquifers and rivers dry up (consider the Colarado River)
Undeveloped world; doesn't pump water out of aquifers and rivers but rather shits in them. Aquifers and Rivers poluted.
I suggest we have 2 unsuccessful models. And we have to be careful not to confuse familiar with effective.

Tree Bog by pfafrich · 2012-02-22 21:06 · Score: 5, Interesting

Best and simpest idea for a toilet I've seen is the tree bog. Its a raised platform over an enclosure space fenced off with chicken wire. Around the bog you plant willow or other greedy trees which rapidly consume the nutrients, effectively turning the poo into biomass. Aerobic decomposition has advantages over anaerobic decomposition and there is no smell if you use a layer of sawdust. The whole thing requires no maintenance as the poo decomposes very quickly. Not good for urban situations but ideal in rural environments.

--
There are four sorts of people in the world: fools, lunatics, idiots and morons. - Umberto Eco, Foucaut's pendulum.

Re:Tree Bog by pfafrich · 2012-02-23 04:08 · Score: 1

Article on tree bogs for anyone interested.

--
There are four sorts of people in the world: fools, lunatics, idiots and morons. - Umberto Eco, Foucaut's pendulum.

Bill Gates is way better than Steve Jobs by bigsexyjoe · 2012-02-22 21:54 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Bill Gates actually spends his money on humanitarian things while the "enlightened" Steve Jobs was making iPhones in sweat shops. It is a real shame that Apple is doing so well now.

--
Democracy Now! - your daily, uncensored, corporate-free

Re:Bill Gates is way better than Steve Jobs by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-22 22:17 · Score: 1

Steve Jobs is dead. Kind of hard to retire and help people when he's dead.
Who knows what he would have done if he had lived longer, though. My personal belief is that he wouldn't have done as much as Gates though because Gates is the man at charity.
Regardless, parent is a troll.
Re:Bill Gates is way better than Steve Jobs by jones_supa · 2012-02-22 23:30 · Score: 1

I duckduckgo'd the subject a bit and it appears that Tim Cook has set a mini philanthropy program where if an Apple employee donates something to a non-profit organization, Apple pays the bill. :)
Re:Bill Gates is way better than Steve Jobs by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 00:25 · Score: 0

Bill Gates actually spends his money on humanitarian things while the "enlightened" Steve Jobs was making iPhones in sweat shops. It is a real shame that Apple is doing so well now.
Just like Nobel: he made his money make ammunition for war and death, but as he got older was worried about his reputation so he created the various Nobel Prizes. However the cash that you get is, to a certain extent, blood money. And the 'evil' things done to create it have been forgotten.
Similarly Bill Gates is trying to rehabilitate his reputation by taking the money made by sometimes ruthless business practices (and illegal) and "suddenly" becoming a 'good' person.
I don't deny that he and his wife (!) are doing good things, and have no idea what is ultimate motive/s is/are, but given the thirty years of pain he's brought on the world via his computer system, I'd say he'd barely break even at the end of all of this. People seem to have forgotten the "dark" side of Bill Gates in recent years for some reason.
Re:Bill Gates is way better than Steve Jobs by Pope · 2012-02-23 02:43 · Score: 1, Informative

Stupid fucking troll.
Bill Gates retired as CEO of Microsoft to go run his charity. Steve Jobs was CEO of Apple almost up to the end.
Guess you've never bothered to see what countries Microsoft's hardware is made in, huh?

--
It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.

Salt Water? by Rie+Beam · 2012-02-22 23:01 · Score: 2

The whole idea behind these toilets is that water is scarce and the region is poor -- that's only half-true. If you want to get down to serious, cheap answers, fund plumbing of salt water in from the ocean -- it won't be useful for drinking without some prior preparation, but the toilets, if properly made, need not be an advanced technology to function. Plus if one goes through the trouble of piping in sea water, perhaps it would open up more inland areas to the possibility of desalination plants? The demand would be limited to simply drinking water and bathing, since the toilets would be "first priority" and not need to have a constant source of fresh water like the former two. The only issue I could really see here is a requirement for redundant plumbing, in areas where having too much plumbing must seem like...well, a pipe dream.

Re:Salt Water? by Rie+Beam · 2012-02-22 23:02 · Score: 3, Interesting

I did find this little gem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_in_Hong_Kong#Seawater_flushing
"In 1960 legislation was introduced to promote seawater flushing on a larger scale, followed by substantial investments in a separate network although the system was unpopular due to the need to build a separate plumbing network in each house. Seawater initially was sold, but from 1972 on it was provided for free and the costs of the system were recovered through the drinking water tariff. In 1991, about 65% of Hong Kong's households used seawater for flushing. By 1999, this percentage had increased to 79%"
Re:Salt Water? by Rie+Beam · 2012-02-22 23:04 · Score: 1

One advantage here is that, whereas in Hong Kong, an entire new network had to be developed under an older one, in areas with no substantial plumbing, the entire process could be done in one shot.
Re:Salt Water? by dargaud · 2012-02-23 01:24 · Score: 2

At the coastal antarctic station where I worked we had a complex water pipe system between the dessalination plant and the station built as such: drinking water pipe inside a sea-water pipe going one way inside a sea-water pipe going the other way inside a thick layer of insulation.
The reason for the two-way seawater was to continuously recirculate it to avoid freezing. And since sea-water is less prone to freezing than clear water, it was also a bonus. It wasn't actually sea-water but the even saltier (and warmer) remains from the dessalination process. And it was used for flushing.

--
Non-Linux Penguins ?
Re:Salt Water? by TeknoHog · 2012-02-23 02:41 · Score: 1

having too much plumbing must seem like...well, a pipe dream.
I see what you did there.

--
Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.

Make the plumbing out of sunlight and sand. by An+dochasac · 2012-02-22 23:57 · Score: 4, Interesting

Markus Kayser's solar sintering 3D printer shows what is possible when you use ingenuity, technology and two abundant desert resources, sunlight and sand. Mr. Kayser says he is already working with Kohler on the possibility of using solar powered, sand fed replicators like his to make sanitation products such as toilets and plumbing.

It's actually a secret plan.... by tlambert · 2012-02-23 00:07 · Score: 1

They are desperate to find some way to recycle the brown Zunes.

-- Terry

Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 00:22 · Score: 0, Flamebait

It's much more than fucked up software, they are straight up globalist psychopaths.

Read all about them if you dare.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/03/naming-names-your-real-government.html

If you are going to skip out tl;dr style on these links, then at least read the muthafuckin link above.
Maybe a few of the "infowars links below" also-sorry for my attitude, but I am sick of repeating this shit,
and before you get off on flame broiling me, know this
http://www.infowars.com/top-social-media-websites-caught-censoring-controversial-content/
It's alright if you don't believe me 100% now, you will learn for yourself up close, soon enough.

http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/12/clinton-turns-to-naked-corporate.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/11/flashback-2007-doomsday-seed-vault-in.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2010/08/asian-economic-community-by-2015.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/over-target.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/09/2011-clinton-global-citizen-awards.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/exposing-international-arbiters.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/video-reporting-possible-ciasaudi.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/05/globalists-fueling-unrest-in-thailand.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2010/08/ground-zero-mosque-part-ii.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-start-wall-street-backed.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/10/corporate-funded-think-tanks-to-host.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2010/06/ground-zero-mosque-why-you-should.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/10/agitator-nominated-for-next-us.html
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/libya-hard-sell-is-coming.html

http://www.infowars.com/bill-gates-buys-positive-press-spin-on-vaccines-gmos/
http://www.infowars.com/monsanto-and-gates-foundation-push-ge-crops-on-africa-report/
http://www.infowars.com/bill-gates-funds-technology-to-destroy-your-sperm/
http://www.infowars.com/gates-foundation-invests-in-monsanto/
http://www.infowars.com/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-gave-millions-to-la-raza/
http://www.infowars.com/gates-foundation-controls-media-through-massive-journalism-grants/
http://www.infowars.com/gates-foundation-researches-nanoparticle-vaccines-triggered-by-sweat/
http://www.infowars.com/bill-gates-favors-death-panel-and-vaccines-to-decrease-world%E2%80%99s-population/

So then.... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 00:31 · Score: -1

Microsoft continues to make shitty applications.

Folks, you gotta think outside the box here... by FridayBob · 2012-02-23 01:20 · Score: 1

What people really want is a toilet that shits for them! You know, to take all the strain out of the experience and make it a more relaxing affair. First the system would set you at ease and then... assist. For sure, it would make hemorrhoids a thing of the past.

Common Microsoft Fascination? by sl4shd0rk · 2012-02-23 02:36 · Score: 2

Years ago it was the iLoo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILoo) I wonder what Microsoft's fascination is with crap?

--
Join the Slashcott! Feb 10 thru Feb 17!

don't laugh: toilets are important by przemekklosowski · 2012-02-23 02:38 · Score: 2

Some of my Scout parent friends are military doctors and they told me that better field latrines were a measurable factor in WWII. All armies had established procedures for setting them up, and the fastidius Germans did a solid job of it, if you pardon the pun---but the Americans added an additional step of covering the latrine box with a burlap sack as a fly barrier. The flies are a major disease vector, and as a result American troops were healthier and more combat ready.

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs; was Re:The hate by przemekklosowski · 2012-02-23 02:47 · Score: 1

Similar sentiments here---and a sad comparison with Steve Jobs who as far as I can tell didn't do much charitable giving, and apparently was quite good at finding tax loopholes so he didn't pay much in taxes either.

Re:Bill Gates and Steve Jobs; was Re:The hate by Dishevel · 2012-02-23 04:59 · Score: 1

Steve also thought that license plates were for the little people and that all those blue parking spots were the peons paying homage to their God Steve with really good parking.

--
Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?

Dupe! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 02:55 · Score: 0

I seem to recall a former attempt to reinvent the toilet.

Does the new toilet involve three seashells? by rtobyr · 2012-02-23 03:05 · Score: 1

I have always wanted to know how to use the three shells.

ReCycle by scafuz · 2012-02-23 03:16 · Score: 1

why don't they find a way to turn thrown chair into energy?

Yep! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 03:46 · Score: 0

My trip to London was horrible. British plumbing ...

What an Unfortunate Choice of Metaphor by Jeremiah+Cornelius · 2012-02-23 03:52 · Score: 4, Funny

The article says Gate's toilet efforts have "born fruit".

Yeuagh!

Were these fruit "Dingleberries"?

--
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."

This is what I came here to say by drinkypoo · 2012-02-23 03:56 · Score: 1

Many kinds of composting toilet exist, you have to get slightly fancier for those intended for use in the city, but it's no big deal.

For those in the country, if you need one with more capacity, you just make the vault taller, so that's easy as can be.

For those WAY out in the country, you can dig holes and shit in them via an outhouse, then plant trees in the holes when they're about full. Plant a food tree; it won't start producing in less than a year anyway, and your crap will be dirt by then.

Cities can continue to use their existing toilets and still have waste composting, if we use AIWPS to close the loop. Short form, sewage becomes algae, methane, and clean water. Everybody wins.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"

Anyone up for a game of Angry Turds? by jakedata · 2012-02-23 04:01 · Score: 1

...it would be like the "iPad of sanitation," he said.

There's an app for that.

Malaria is not caused by a virus. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 04:07 · Score: 0

2) Malaria (I guess we're talking about Malaria) is not caused by a virus.

Embrace and Extend by polyp2000 · 2012-02-23 05:08 · Score: 1

I suppose it might be useful for log dumps...

--
Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp

Twitter from the Shitter? by polyp2000 · 2012-02-23 05:09 · Score: 2

I guess you might be able to "Share" your lavatory adventures too.

--
Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp

cleaning windows by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 05:52 · Score: 0

After selling so many shitty products, it's time for recycling :-)

Photoshop fail by Tyrannosaur · 2012-02-23 06:00 · Score: 1

I pulled up the article, started reading, that picture was NOT originally of Bill Gates.

Rand Paul propaganda by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 07:40 · Score: 0

Oh, please. You are obviously someone who doesn't install toilets - just like Rand Paul with his pitiful "Al Gore wrecked our toilets" grandstanding.

I've been installing toilets in the USA for more than 35 years. I've installed and repaired every size from 5 gallon to 1.25 gallon.

I know shit - and you, sir, are full of shit.

To me you sound like a typical overprivileged randroid, who can't tell a calking iron from a seat wrench and thinks punching buttons is a hard day's work. Don't try to tell me about toilets, sonny. If your toilet doesn't flush your load it's not because Al Gore forced corporations to innovate, it's because you hired some unlicensed illegal alien to install the cheapest made-in-china junk you could find.

Re:Rand Paul propaganda by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-23 12:03 · Score: 0

I commend you on being at one with shit.
How does one come to a life of fecalfelia? I kinda picture you in this video now http://youtu.be/XfW0ke4bwI4
Kinda like Al Gore and a dozen illegal aliens crammed into his Hummer all wearing rubber and vaseline, do you remember that friday night like he did?
Don't even imagine I support your filthy Republicrat ways. I could even see you running for office , shaking hands and kissing babies with your fudgy fingers and turd breath. Gettin you hot , huh?
Well bend over and I'll install a pipe that'll pass code anywhere you pick.

By the time I read the EULA... by OhSoLaMeow · 2012-02-23 08:32 · Score: 1

.. I won't need to use the toilet.

--
They can take my LifeAlert pendant when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

time for a change of terms? by Anarchduke · 2012-02-23 09:22 · Score: 1

Up till now we've always taken a crap because of Thomas Crapper , the man often mistaken as the inventor of the toilet.

Does this mean we should now say, "I got to go take a Gates?"

--
who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain

Already done. by pubwvj · 2012-02-23 11:55 · Score: 1

We already have sanitary, non-energy consuming, non-water consuming toilets that recycle the human output to good useable soil amendments. Gates is just trying to buy back his soul by claiming advancements to things that are already better than he'll conceive.

Create a reputation, live with it. by jotaeleemeese · 2012-02-23 22:16 · Score: 2

We in Latin America are very familiar with this behaviour.

People that got the upper hand in business by all kind of dubious means start all kind of charitable work and sponsoring of the arts.

It is called a PR exercise.

One can't deny that these exercises can have benefits, sometimes immense ones, but they can't rewrite history or palliate the pain and anger of the people who suffered previous bad behaviour.

What would impress me is if Bill would use his quite reasonable leverage to undo some of the damage his company did, for example stopping Microsoft patent trolling expeditions, bribing the necessary politicians with the respective campaign donations in order to change the idiotic copyright and patent systems in favour of the general public, or some other gesture saying "mea culpa".

As it is, to all those who remember the other BIll, it is too much to ask to forgive (which I can) and forget (which I can't).

--
IANAL but write like a drunk one.

Windows is craptastic.... by DrStoooopid · 2012-02-24 04:55 · Score: 1

....a sh*t OS, processing sh*t code, running on sh*t hardware....

yeah, that about sums it up.

--
There are 2 groups of people you can make fun of on the Internet without fear of attack. The illiterate, and the Amish.

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Gates Foundation Makes Progress On Reinvented Toilets

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