Steven M. Johnson
HALF-SERIOUS PRODUCTS
AND PREDICTIONS
Solar Cooker Car 5-1-09 I often lamented that the Green Movement had largely been ignored by ordinary Americans. But now, to some degree, that has all changed since the financial markets collapsed and 401k savings were cut in half. Green entrepreneurs are working overtime thinking up new products. I predict that Solar Cooker Cars will be designed
. During a long drive, or while one’s car sits in the company parking lot (for those who still have a job), a hot meal is being prepared. Where is the problem with this? It must be admitted that the Solar Cooker Car is a natural idea. Already one reads sad news stories of the distracted parent who “cooked” a favorite pet or child left locked inside the car. Read more...
Cars scratched at the factory 5-1-09 During this unasked-for, unannounced phase change in American life, some people now express relief that “keeping up with the Joneses” is impractical and almost meaningless. Yes, I believe relief from the tyranny of consumerism is being felt in many quarters. It is now okay to buy an older, dinged-up car, for example. I predict that a new industry will emerge that
offers cars that are pre-dented and scratched right at the factory!
Of course, one might object that such cars will be less structurally sound, and harder to repair. No doubt, it would be necessary to ruin the chassis of a new automobile with great care! Dent Planning Engineers would be tasked with assessing areas where robots can safely smash fenders and hoods. Why the dented car industry? At some point, Americans will no longer care to own a shiny new car. As they find they can no longer afford to donate their beat-up car to charity -- and must drive it -- an ugly car chic will emerge. Read more...
Four basketball hoops, constantly in motion Maybe I’m one of the few Americans who finds watching basketball games painfully boring, even if players earn $ millions annually. It is simply too predictable. My ideas for making the game more complicated will be discussed. (To come).
Ultralight 15-speed bicycle with antique styling.
News Nook: At breakfast, choose between conversation with a mate and reading your email.
Dashboard Oven Would they be safe? Some will argue that there are issues of a) driver distraction, and b) driving upsets if fingers are burned or hands become greasy? (To come).
THE WHIMSICAL DESIGNER
The Bathtub What happens when you design objects a) for no client, b) just for the fun of it? Read more...
STEVE’S NEWS
NY Times article 5-4-09 Allison Arieff has written about me in her NY Times blog. http://arieff.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/searching-for-value-in-ludicrous-ideas/
New book edition 10-28-09 A much-enlarged, annotated 200 page edition of PUBLIC THERAPY BUSES is to be published Jan. or Feb. 2010.
Article about my work 10-28-09 Frog Design’s DESIGN MIND Web page is to show my work early 2010. http://designmind.frogdesign.com/
