Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

New Keyboard Accessory Shocks Users When They Try To Go On Facebook

Posted by timothy on from the new-sense-of-shock-site dept.

cartechboy writes "Two Ph.D. students from MIT have created a keyboard accessory, the Pavlov Poke, that shocks you every time you go onto Facebook. The project comes as a result of the students finding the waste over 50 hours a week combined on the social network (instead of working on their dissertations) So the pair created an Arduino-based keyboard hand-rest that shocks computer users who spend too much time checking the social network. The hack is 'intended to generate discussion' — not actually turn into a business." Inventor Robert Morris describes it as "something of a joke," but I'm sure there's a market out there.

12 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. The real market by gewalker · · Score: 3, Funny

    The real market is for sado-masochists that are addicted to farmville (or is that redundant). If you just want to stop wasting your life, give up or moderate your FB (and slashdot) usage.

    1. Re:The real market by neminem · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The real market is for overly controlling bosses who would love to install these on their employees' desktops.

    2. Re:The real market by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Now, commenting on Slashdot on the company dime, on the other hand...

    3. Re:The real market by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Insightful

      better yet, fire people who don't get their work done and not worry about the details of "Why"

      I don't care if you're running a nail salon and a tattoo parlor from your smartphone while you're at work as long as you're getting quality work done on time for me. The idea that an employer can monitor and badger a bad employee into a good one is one of the oldest, most idiotic myths I've ever heard. Enough already.

    4. Re:The real market by Archfeld · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Are you hiring ?? That kind of enlightened attitude intrigues me.

      --
      errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
    5. Re:The real market by bmk67 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I do not ban Facebook however, it makes my life much easier. You get hired, if during your first 90 days I see Facebook opened on your machine, you get released on the spot.

      So, what you're saying is that you DO ban Facebook, you just don't tell your employees that you do, until you fire them for it.

      While it's certainly your right as an employer to act like a complete asshat, I feel sorry for your employees.

      Do you put them on double secret probation as well?

  2. shut up and take my money! by tekrat · · Score: 4, Funny

    And I need a second one for my sister!

    --
    If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
  3. First the came for Facebook... by rsborg · · Score: 4, Funny

    Seriously, I only see this sort of thing being useful for a) folks who want to discipline themselves or b) sadistic overlords who think users need to not just be blocked, but punished for succumbing to their weaknesses.

    In short, the target market is your average Megachurch.

    --
    Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
  4. Thank Heavens by camperdave · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thank Heavens this is for Facebook. I'd hate to see the burn marks on my hands from my Slashdot habit.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  5. Instructions unclear... by wbr1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...penis stuck to electrocuting device.

    --
    Silence is a state of mime.
  6. I made one too! by Arancaytar · · Score: 4, Funny

    It shocks me whenever I waste time on Slashdaaarrrrgh

  7. Pavlov..Interesting... by SuperCharlie · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A while back I realized that the most social sites are actually Pavlovian driven drool buckets where you get a "treat" for every like, or comment or whatever.. so this little device is somewhat like putting a humidifier and a dehumidifier in the same room and letting them fight it out..