Comments on: Device for germophobes who don't want to touch things in public http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 06:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: mdhatter http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162560 mdhatter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162560 #30 - I'll bet a paper towel would do the trick. #30 – I’ll bet a paper towel would do the trick.

]]> By: indiie http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162567 indiie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162567 Can you really use one of these on an ATM? I tried to use the touchscreen on my bank's ATM one cold morning while I was wearing gloves, and got nowhere, until I took the gloves off and used my bare (unprotected!) fingers. I would like the free eyepatch, though. arrrr. Can you really use one of these on an ATM? I tried to use the touchscreen on my bank’s ATM one cold morning while I was wearing gloves, and got nowhere, until I took the gloves off and used my bare (unprotected!) fingers.

I would like the free eyepatch, though. arrrr.

]]> By: KauaiMark http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162326 KauaiMark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162326 I bet the TSA guys at the airport will be confiscating these by the dozens. I bet the TSA guys at the airport will be confiscating these by the dozens.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162338 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162338 yes, but they'll be wearing rubber gloves while they do it.(they just like the feel) yes, but they’ll be wearing rubber gloves while they do it.(they just like the feel)

]]> By: genericvox http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162340 genericvox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162340 Paper towels FTW. Seriously, I hate public restrooms and try my damnedest not to use them, but when I do, I almost always see someone walk in, expel their bodily waste(s) and walk out without washing their dirty, filthy hand meats. Gross. Paper towels FTW.

Seriously, I hate public restrooms and try my damnedest not to use them, but when I do, I almost always see someone walk in, expel their bodily waste(s) and walk out without washing their dirty, filthy hand meats.

Gross.

]]> By: technogeek http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162349 technogeek Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162349 As Deteriorata put it, "Hire people with hooks." As Deteriorata put it, “Hire people with hooks.”

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162351 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162351 your fault. Entirely. Deteriorata (National Lampoon) (You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. Deteriorata, Deteriorata) Go placidly amidst the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself; and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss - and when. Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do. Wherever possible, put people on hold. Be comforted, that in the face of all irridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance. (You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. Whether you can hear it or not, The universe is laughing behind your back.) Remember the Pueblo. Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate. Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI. Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you... That lemon on your left, for instance. Be assured that a walk through the seas of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love, therefore, it will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth: the birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan - and let not the sands of time get in your lunch. Hire people with hooks. For a good time, call 606-4311, ask for Ken. Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese. And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee. (You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. Whether you can hear it or not, The universe is laughing behind your back.) Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you perceive him to be: hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate. GIVE UP! (You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. Whether you can hear it or not, The universe is laughing behind your back.) your fault. Entirely.

Deteriorata
(National Lampoon)

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Deteriorata, Deteriorata)

Go placidly amidst the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself; and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss – and when. Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do. Wherever possible, put people on hold. Be comforted, that in the face of all irridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance.

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Remember the Pueblo. Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate. Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI. Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you… That lemon on your left, for instance. Be assured that a walk through the seas of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love, therefore, it will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth: the birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan – and let not the sands of time get in your lunch. Hire people with hooks. For a good time, call 606-4311, ask for Ken. Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese. And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you perceive him to be: hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate. GIVE UP!

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162624 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162624 I'll buy one if they logo it with FSM I’ll buy one if they logo it with FSM

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162381 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162381 I remixed the video: &#9658 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoRsVkrnxQk Don't expect much, I did it in about 7 min.s I remixed the video:

► http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoRsVkrnxQk

Don’t expect much, I did it in about 7 min.s

]]> By: chef http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162384 chef Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162384 wait, so if you let this thing touch say, a piece of poo, it becomes clean poo then? Get to work, nanosilvers! wait, so if you let this thing touch say, a piece of poo, it becomes clean poo then? Get to work, nanosilvers!

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162385 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162385 not bad! Though the Hoff Soap was a bit much. Japan has had an anti-oyaji cootie industry for years. Germicidal PIN pads etc. Unbroken skin is a shield against almost anything biological. A little discipline and you will almost never catch the flu by just never touching your face. Can't recollect, but there's a list floating around that shows just what proportion of your body is commensual bacteria. It's HUGE. Which episode of Invader Zim has the bacteria magnifying goggles? not bad! Though the Hoff Soap was a bit much.

Japan has had an anti-oyaji cootie industry for years. Germicidal PIN pads etc.

Unbroken skin is a shield against almost anything biological. A little discipline and you will almost never catch the flu by just never touching your face. Can’t recollect, but there’s a list floating around that shows just what proportion of your body is commensual bacteria. It’s HUGE.

Which episode of Invader Zim has the bacteria magnifying goggles?

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162391 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162391 #15 posted by Takuan , April 10, 2008 9:21 PM <blockquote>not bad! Though the Hoff Soap was a bit much.</blockquote> You didn't like the Hoff Soap?! C'mon! It was the icing on the cake! #15 posted by Takuan , April 10, 2008 9:21 PM

not bad! Though the Hoff Soap was a bit much.

You didn’t like the Hoff Soap?! C’mon! It was the icing on the cake!

]]> By: Justaguy http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162392 Justaguy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162392 TSA is cool with this. I have one and brought on plane and the TSA lady said it was ok cuz it had no sharp edges and was under 4"s ( like most of the guys that posted on here :)) TSA is cool with this. I have one and brought on plane and the TSA lady said it was ok cuz it had no sharp edges and was under 4″s ( like most of the guys that posted on here :))

]]> By: Justaguy http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162393 Justaguy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162393 I liked the remix video btw. I liked the remix video btw.

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162396 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162396 thx justaguy thx justaguy

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162402 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162402 @17 you should have smiled at her AND THEN PLUNGED IT INTO HER NECK, TWISTED IT AND RIPPED OUT HER JUGULAR VEIN!!!!...oh,sorry, been leafing through my comic book collection again @17

you should have smiled at her AND THEN PLUNGED IT INTO HER NECK, TWISTED IT AND RIPPED OUT HER JUGULAR VEIN!!!!…oh,sorry, been leafing through my comic book collection again

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162403 Cowicide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162403 Jesus Christ, Takuan.... O_o Jesus Christ, Takuan…. O_o

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162405 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162405 yeah...I get a little erratic at times.... yeah…I get a little erratic at times….

]]> By: Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-163174 Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-163174 Carbuncles, yeuch! I could give you a link to an illustration, but then everyone would be wanting unicorn chasers. MRSA infections are worse. Carbuncles, yeuch! I could give you a link to an illustration, but then everyone would be wanting unicorn chasers. MRSA infections are worse.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162408 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162408 http://www.dansdata.com/images/psycho.jpg http://www.dansdata.com/images/psycho.jpg

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-163176 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-163176 mmm,sounds like a challenge.... mmm,sounds like a challenge….

]]> By: Jasontheperson http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162421 Jasontheperson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162421 I think latex or leather gloves would be easier to use, not to mention sexier. Rogue, anyone? I think latex or leather gloves would be easier to use, not to mention sexier. Rogue, anyone?

]]> By: Gregory Bloom http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-163450 Gregory Bloom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-163450 Ironically, use of this device might actually be leaving the user more prone to disease. Constant low-level of exposure to pathogens keeps the immune system primed. (Know any nurses? Ever see them down with a cold or flu?) Ironically, use of this device might actually be leaving the user more prone to disease. Constant low-level of exposure to pathogens keeps the immune system primed. (Know any nurses? Ever see them down with a cold or flu?)

]]> By: doubleagame http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-163195 doubleagame Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-163195 this is for me. So simple it's brilliant! this is for me. So simple it’s brilliant!

]]> By: ill lich http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162685 ill lich Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162685 Considering all the germs that float freely in the air (remember those petri dish experiments in Jr. high, where you opened up a sterile petri dish for 10 seconds, then sealed it and watched colonies grow over the next few weeks), and the fact that scientists now suspect that the number (though not the mass) of microbes in the human body are greater than the number of human cells, germophobia is pretty ridiculous. Considering all the germs that float freely in the air (remember those petri dish experiments in Jr. high, where you opened up a sterile petri dish for 10 seconds, then sealed it and watched colonies grow over the next few weeks), and the fact that scientists now suspect that the number (though not the mass) of microbes in the human body are greater than the number of human cells, germophobia is pretty ridiculous.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-163199 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-163199 You can always tell people who have worked in health care by watching us open a door. We use our butts, our knees, our elbows, our armpits, but never our hands. You can always tell people who have worked in health care by watching us open a door. We use our butts, our knees, our elbows, our armpits, but never our hands.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-163207 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-163207 yeah, the cheek-clench on the doorknob is the dead giveaway yeah, the cheek-clench on the doorknob is the dead giveaway

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162696 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162696 have you ever lived with,worked with had a family member with OCD germophobia? It ain't fun. have you ever lived with,worked with had a family member with OCD germophobia? It ain’t fun.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162702 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162702 I've seen a fair number of people lose body parts, including faces, to infections. Before the invention of penicillin, people used to die of sepsis from little scratches. People got carbuncles the size of grapefruit. Resistant organisms are on the rise. Science is not keeping up with the microbes, either. There's a very good chance that in a decade, hospitals will be filled with people dying from resistant forms of staph aureus. Do you know where people are getting these infections? From yoga mats, locker room benches and weight-lifting equipment at the gym. Germophobia is a survival trait. Step away from the doorknob. I’ve seen a fair number of people lose body parts, including faces, to infections. Before the invention of penicillin, people used to die of sepsis from little scratches. People got carbuncles the size of grapefruit. Resistant organisms are on the rise. Science is not keeping up with the microbes, either. There’s a very good chance that in a decade, hospitals will be filled with people dying from resistant forms of staph aureus. Do you know where people are getting these infections? From yoga mats, locker room benches and weight-lifting equipment at the gym. Germophobia is a survival trait. Step away from the doorknob.

]]> By: Bugs http://boingboing.net/2008/04/10/device-for-germophob.html#comment-162457 Bugs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-162457 Aargh, a huge reply was swallowed because the "text entered was wrong". Ideologically or factually? We may never know what offended the comment system. Oh well, hope this fares better. @15 - Takuan In a healthy human, bacterial cells outnumber human cells by approx 10:1 (I've seen estimates between 8:1 and 11:1). The ratio of viruses to human cells will be so huge as to be incalculable. Also, we have a surprising number of recognisable viral and bacterial genes in our genome - the wikipedia article on "endogenous retroviruses" is pretty good if you're interested. Very little is known about the typical population of gut bacteria, or even whether "typical population" is a meaningful phrase. It's certainly influenced by diet and culture and possibly genetics. Your gut bacteria is essential for digesting certian foods (um... including some sugar types but I can't remember which) and possibly involved in the immune response against pathogens. It was recently shown that changing a mouse's gut population could make it skinny or obese. Silver particles are acknowledged as germicidal; it's fairly common to find wound dressings and surgical tools with silver particles in the surfaces. But most importantly: does it come with a free eyepatch? Yaaarr! Aargh, a huge reply was swallowed because the “text entered was wrong”. Ideologically or factually? We may never know what offended the comment system. Oh well, hope this fares better.

@15 – Takuan

In a healthy human, bacterial cells outnumber human cells by approx 10:1 (I’ve seen estimates between 8:1 and 11:1). The ratio of viruses to human cells will be so huge as to be incalculable. Also, we have a surprising number of recognisable viral and bacterial genes in our genome – the wikipedia article on “endogenous retroviruses” is pretty good if you’re interested.

Very little is known about the typical population of gut bacteria, or even whether “typical population” is a meaningful phrase. It’s certainly influenced by diet and culture and possibly genetics. Your gut bacteria is essential for digesting certian foods (um… including some sugar types but I can’t remember which) and possibly involved in the immune response against pathogens. It was recently shown that changing a mouse’s gut population could make it skinny or obese.

Silver particles are acknowledged as germicidal; it’s fairly common to find wound dressings and surgical tools with silver particles in the surfaces.

But most importantly: does it come with a free eyepatch? Yaaarr!

]]>