Friday, September 25, 2009

Attention all lazy people. . .

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Paul Blart made the Segway famous, but now the Japanese has the answer to the American Segway Unicycle. Honda's device can travel in any direction, with a battery that lasts about an hour. To get moving, all one has to do is lean.

For some reason the movie "Wall-e" comes to mind. You know, where the citizens got all fat and lazy because techology did everything for them?

I can see it now. Americans riding their Honda unicycle to the gym so that they can get a good workout on the treadmill.

Yes, I understand this device could mean a lot to folks who have limited personal mobility, and I am in no way putting garlic around my windows to keep the sucker out. But since when does technology remain limited to its purpose? I can imagine it now. Honda unicycles plastered to the underside of Americans as they whip up and down our streets as the person sucks on a soda and an ice cream.

In the name of liberty I say let people do that. If we want to have lousy habits, it should be our freedom to make that decision, and to pay the consequences. But just because you can do something, it doesn't mean you should.

Who needs to fear Godzilla, when the Japanese can hit us with unicycles? That way, when the "big one" hits (that would be a huge earthquake in LA), rather than run for cover, we can just zip away on our Hondas, and scuttle away for a sixty minute ride. Then, when the battery dies we can finish the trip by - gasp! - walking.

The U3-X is the name of the vehicle, and it was given a test-run for reporters in Japan. It is small, and easy to store. A single wheel allows the device to move in any direction. But don't get excited yet; it is still just a proposal.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Honda unveils 'Segway-style' unicycle that travels in any direction you want - U.K. Mail Online

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