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OAT Shoes: Biodegradable Sneakers

July 12, 2023 by noemi

What do you do with your old sneakers? I honestly do not know what happens to mine after I either throw them away or give them way. If we are serious about wanting to make our own contributions to helping the environment, here is a great – although a bit silly – idea that we may want to consider.

At the Amsterdam International Fashion Week’s Green Fashion Competition, a new line of shoes won second place this year. Dubbed OAT shoes, the sneakers can actually be planted when you’re tired of them – or when they give out, for that matter. It can be argued that ANY pair of sneakers can be planted in the ground, but the OAT shoes are the first kind that “sprout”. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I read “sprout”, I think leaves and stems coming out of the ground. How exactly the shoes do that – I have no idea. The concept is pretty cool, though.

Here’s the whole idea in a nutshell. I don’t know about you, but I doubt that any sneakers that I have used will look this fresh, though.

Here are two variations of the OAT shoes.

Now I know I said that the shoes are cool, but there is no denying that the choice of model is anything but, is there? This is how they demoed the shoes.

These shoes will be available this spring in stores in The Netherlands and Belgium, as well as online for those who are located elsewhere.

Have You Ever Cussed at Your Computer? Be Honest!

July 11, 2023 by noemi

Yes, be honest. Have you ever gotten so frustrated at your computer that you simply had to vent by uttering a few cuss words? If you haven’t – or have made yourself believe that you haven’t – then you are actually part of the majority. According to a survey conducted by Avira, 61 per cent of computer users have not cussed or even yelled at a computing machine that is failing to cooperate. Out of 14,284 users who took the survey, only 39 per cent admitted to having “lost it” because of a malfunctioning computer.

The survey included several other questions including the following:

39% – Cursed or yelled at the computer out loud?
38% – No! I would never yell at my computer, it is too sensitive. (I friendly try to encourage it working again…)?
11% – Thought Wished for catastrophe to strike the company that makes your operating system software or computer?
9% – Hit your computer with another object (fist, baseball bat, etc.)?
3% – Actually thrown the computer to the ground or against a desk or other piece of furniture?

I am not really surprised about the low numbers for the last three items. After all, computers do cost money, and unless you’re totally in need of anger management therapy, you would not want to throw money out of the window. Either that or you have a huge wad of cash stowed away somewhere and you don’t care if you had to buy a new machine.

So now, really, be honest – have you ever done any of these things above? I know have at least uttered a word of frustration or two!

Possibly the Ugliest Bike You’ll Ever See

July 10, 2023 by noemi

There are innovations that are real works of genius that you are left speechless – in a good way. Then there are those things that are supposed to be innovations and also leave you speechless, but only because you can’t say anything else but WTF. Pardon me, but that is exactly what went in my head the moment I laid my eyes on the StreetFlyer.

The StreetFlyer is supposed to be the latest thing in recreational sports, and it will allow you to fly like a bird without taking off the ground. Why anyone would want to fly like a bird and stay grounded at the same time does not make a lick of sense to me. Do you get it? Here is the StreetFlyer in action. Maybe someone can make sense out of it.

To be fair to the creator, Dr. Carsten Mehring, he conceptualized the idea with people who may have an aversion to heights or flying in mind. Then again, I think that if you have that fear, then you might be better off spending your time playing with a simulator. Maybe I am being too harsh, so let’s take a look at several more photos of the StreetFlyer.
She looks as if she were thinking “What the heck am I doing?”
She may be smiling, but she doesn’t look comfortable. Not at all.
This position seems workable, but then you do not need a bike that will give you the illusion of being a bird (when you’re strapped onto a three-wheeled contraption), do you?

Do you want more? Visit the homepage of StreetFlyer.

Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests

July 9, 2023 by noemi

What in the world is a strandbeest? It is an animal created by Dutch physicist, artisit, and kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen. While it may not be a living form in the strictest sense, the strandbeest might very well fool you.

Jansen has gotten a lot of attention by creating beach animals which are self-propelling. That succinct description may not pique your curiosity enough, but trust me, watching a strandbeest in action definitely will. Jansen created his strandbeests using simple materials such as recycled water bottles, plastic tubing, rods, and rubber rings. Glancing at a beest, you wouldn’t think much of it – just another piece of installation art, probably. Once it starts moving on its own, thanks to the wind that has been “caught” in the water bottles, you probably will find your lower jaw dropping involuntarily. See it for yourself.

In his web site, Theo Jansen gives some details on how he was able to make these things work. You can find concepts, theories, and math – even details on the 11 Holy Numbers. If you’re the sort who wants to figure out exactly how things work, then you ought to read what the mastermind himself has to say. In case you get converted and become a Jansen fan – which is likely to happen – you can also get his books and DVDs from the web site.

Mr. Potato Head Takes On Star Trek

July 9, 2023 by noemi

Mark your calendars, Mr. Potato Head lovers. The guys behind these adorably hilarious toy figures have come up with a brilliant idea – Star Trek Mr. Potato Heads. Everyone loves Mr. Potato Head. I think that’s why some of my friends have decided to “drop their interest” in them, actually. You know those kind of people who decide not to like something because everyone else likes it?

Anyhow, this development is something that one really cannot help but get excited about. A mash up of your favorite Star Trek characters and Mr. Potato Head. Pardon me, but it is an epic win! The series is going to kick off with none other than Captain Kirk and his original Klingon nemesis, Kor. This first set is going to hit the shelves in August of this year, but they are accepting pre-orders to cater to those who want to make sure that they are among the first to receive Potato Head Kirk and Potato Head Kor. For $30 – which will only be charged on your credit card once the delivery details have been confirmed – you can be among the first to receive this signature line.

I have to be honest and say that the first time I saw the image above, I was not sure how to react. One part of me was thinking “Hilarious!” while another part was saying “Oh, Kirk. That is so NOT you.” Then again, this is NOT Kirk. It is Potato Head Kirk. I guess the designers actually did justice to both brands.

Star Trek fans: what are your thoughts?

Perfect Valentine’s Gift: A Tweet-ring

July 8, 2023 by noemi

Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day, but for those of you who do, here is a great idea. We’ve seen just how technology has invaded our daily lives. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are being incorporated into t-shirts, shoes, and whatnot. You may, of course, opt to choose these items as your gift for your partner on Hearts’ Day, but why go the ordinary route when you can do something (relatively) unique?

This is where tweet-rings come into the picture. Some guys in The Netherlands have decided that some tweets are meant to last forever. Cheesiness overload, I know, but I guess they’re really targeting those who are in romantic bliss. In any case, they are offering a service wherein you can have your favorite tweet engraved on a ring. You can choose from stainless steel, silver, or titanium.

Following true Twitter tradition, the maximum number of characters is 140. They even make a concession for non-Twitter users. If you do not have a favorite tweet or you do not use Twitter at all, you can choose whatever text you want on the ring – as long as you are under the 140-character limit. (Nice of them, but it defeats the tweet-ring purpose, doesn’t it?)

Here are two sample rings.

Here is a tweet-ring “in action”.

They are both made of stainless steel – which is obviously the cheapest. I have to say that I like the idea of engraving a great tweet, but the problem is that I have more than one favorite tweet. At 89 euros a pop for a stainless steel ring, that’s going to be a bit pricey!

You can buy your tweet-rings from their web site.