Just wanted to share this with others. I’m sure people have seen this before, but its so interesting! But then again there’s so many things that could go wrong
How long will it be before the cup starts sogging up and turning into mush? How much will this cost? Is it even sanitary? Transportation issues? Health issues – how long can it last in a box? Will it be like a waffle cone?
Probably over analyzing once again.
I read this article http://grist.org/list/lets-ban-toilet-paper/ saying how the consumption of toilet paper has surpassed newspaper. Now this didn’t really struck me hard. Less and less people are reading the newspaper; getting their news via smartphones or tablets. However what struck me is that making toilet paper from virgin wood is worse than driving a hummer in terms of its environmental impact.
‘Virgin wood? why not use recycled stuff?’ is what you may be asking, but demand for super-soft toilet paper is 98% made from virgin wood pulp. And of course, demand comes with money that comes with profit that comes from using more resources that is abundant in this world – NO! This article states that in US alone, 7 million eucalyptus trees are being cut down for our bums. Now imagine the whole world altogether, we are wiping out a large populations of trees! Maybe instead of trying to build hybrid cars, why not stop using toilet paper? (Yes, I do realized its essential for everyday…for now)
I remember when I was younger (No I’m not that old) my mom would buy the most economical toilet paper which was often rough and less white coloured. My mom is one of those people who is those use-every-coupon-you-can, save money women. Lately she has started to buy these super-soft toilet paper as well. What does this mean? The market for soft toilet paper is so great that they are able to manufacture it at a very low cost thus selling it at prices that is equal to rough toilet paper. This also means that you don’t really get a choice in what you buy(I’m sure there’re people who will argue that).
Well then what’s the solution? Honestly, I don’t have one. Perhaps the best thing to do now is to use these toilet paper mindlessly. Yes, that means you don’t need a whole meter just to wipe that bum. Also don’t use toilet paper to wipe things, use a cloth instead! Its reusable, and durable. If your wiping something gross and you want a one-time use solution, get an old shirt and cut it up (hey if its that old, its going to the dumpster anyways). And say if you don’t have a choice and have to use toilet paper or napkin to wipe something, throw it into a composting bin. Yes, they are 100% recyclable – or at least they should be….
A bicycle made from cardboard?! Now this is amazing.
A $9 Cardboard Bike is hard to say no to. Think of all the possibilities we can do with that. If this were to be mass produced and sent to developing countries, imagine the difference it could make! No more walking an hour or two just for water! More time for education and other beneficial activities. I do know that this is a ‘if’ scenario, but hey just imagine it and make it happen is the way to think!
I haven’t really traveled outside of North America and everything I know about developing countries comes from the media. The media usually distorts the fact to cater to their audience and their goal. But from what I see on television, the distortion can’t be that huge. The fact is that water, clothes and shelter – many basic needs are missing in many people’s lives, but something insignificant to us, can easily change their lives for better. A bicycle will give them transportation; something that we take for granted in western society. (Can you imagine if you had to carry two jugs of milk for two hours everyday? Many of us would just rather not drink milk then. But what if that’s water? Then you will no choice like what these people are experiencing.)
Now that was just my little speech about improving social welfare, but there’s something else that gets me excited about this news. I think its really admirable that this man made this bicycle himself. I love building things from scratch as well. This project, however, is probably too difficult for me to come up with and build by myself. I would really love to one day build one myself. Nothing gives me more satisfaction to turn nothing into something useful.
I still remember that time when I tried to build a hot air balloon made from Popsicle sticks and a plastic bag. Of course that didn’t work out. My platform was to heavy and the bag melted every time. Never the less that was really fun to make.
Cheers!
Recently, I’ve been finding myself with spare time, so I decided to go search for some inspiration!. Having a paper due next week that requires research of a business innovation you would like to recommend to a company of your choice, I decided to get started early!
I was browsing through a website called FastCompany when I came across this interesting gadget.
THE POPINATOR!
Now I truly believe this is a invention of its kind, but what about its ability to survive in this competitive world? Although not stated, I can’t help but wonder how much it costs. $50? Unlikely, given the production numbers. $100? Maybe, but then again I’m not too familiar with pricing.
Now my question is: Is there a market for this? I’m sure there’s going to be die-hard fans that would definitely purchase this regardless of the cost (which then makes me want to discuss about debt, but that’s a whole new topic). Are there enough people out there to mass produce these machine so that the company is able to reach economies of scale? Is this issue even worth thinking of? Are they planning to expand on this product? There are many questions regarding the developing and the market for this popinator.
Now don’t get me wrong, I think its a great invention, just not very practical. I guess people in the offices may purchase this depending on the company culture and its people. But having only one popcorn flying out of the machine would take forever to finish the bag (assuming that is the goal). I know weight-watchers would argue that this would help with quantitative eating problem and others would argue that the process is what matters.
Flash forward to owning this machine for 6 months. By this time the invention will not look as appealing anymore. Would you still have the patience to say ‘pop’ and wait for the machine to throw you a popcorn? – or rather reach into the bag to eat one? This is just my opinion, leave a comment if you have one.
Also in the video, it was kind of awkward to see people try to catch the popcorn. And what about those who can’t catch with their mouths? Aren’t they going to be teased/discriminated by this? Workplace bullying already has it problems, doesn’t this add to that?
I’m sure I’m over analyzing, but I leave you with the knowledge of such product!