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R.Wreck
SFN Regular
USA
1191 Posts |
 Posted - 09/18/2004 : 07:08:42
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What do you find to be the best invention, and why? I don't mean the easy ones like the wheel, computer, electric light, etc. I'm looking for those that make your life better in a way you might not even realize until you think about it (or more likely, have to do without it).
To get started, I'll toss one out:
The Insikerator(tm) garbage disposal.
I like to cook, and that means there are scraps, peelings etc to dispose of, and with two kids, there's usually uneaten stuff left on the plates after every meal. A little water, flip a switch, and whoosh, its gone, off to feed the microbes at the local treatment plant. And you don't have a biology experiment in the trash can. Truly a work of inspired genius.
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The foundation of morality is to . . . give up pretending to believe that for which there is no evidence, and repeating unintelligible propositions about things beyond the possibliities of knowledge.
T. H. Huxley
The Cattle Prod of Enlightened Compassion
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Renae
SFN Regular
543 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 09:36:14 [Permalink]
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| Can I vote for my washer and dryer? I hate laundry enough as it is. How horrid if I had to use a washboard.... |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 12:17:35 [Permalink]
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Prosthetics in general and hips and knees in particular. I have a steel hip and will get a new knee in a few months.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 13:57:12 [Permalink]
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Without hesitation, I say the toilet. In sickness and in health, when sober and while intoxicated, in any time of need, I can think of no other invention which has been such a true and constant companion.
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
| Edited by - H. Humbert on 09/18/2004 13:57:45 |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 19:58:40 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by H. Humbert
Without hesitation, I say the toilet. In sickness and in health, when sober and while intoxicated, in any time of need, I can think of no other invention which has been such a true and constant companion.
Indeed. I've forgotten who said it (I'll look it up, if asked), but defecation if far more productive than prayer.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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moakley
SFN Regular
USA
1888 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 20:35:11 [Permalink]
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| The "Impulse Jack Rabbit". Sure has saved me a lot of time. |
Life is good
Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 23:05:07 [Permalink]
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| Electricity anyone? Though I have to say I like the freedom my car gives me. I'm not talking about commuting so much as the traveling I've done in my car. |
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 23:37:42 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
Electricity anyone? Though I have to say I like the freedom my car gives me. I'm not talking about commuting so much as the traveling I've done in my car.
Electricity isn't an invention--it's a discovery.  But the car is good. Didn't think about that one. Should I change my answer? Hmmm. Naw, you'll still need to make pit stops.
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 00:09:18 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by H. Humbert
quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
Electricity anyone? Though I have to say I like the freedom my car gives me. I'm not talking about commuting so much as the traveling I've done in my car.
Electricity isn't an invention--it's a discovery.
I know but it was going to take too long to write something about harnessing it for use. quote:
But the car is good. Didn't think about that one. Should I change my answer? Hmmm. Naw, you'll still need to make pit stops.
What, ya never peed on the side of the road?
[/quote] |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 01:58:20 [Permalink]
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Were it not for the computer, we'd not be having this conversation.
Were it not for the hypodermic syringe, some of us might not be having it, anyway.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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tomk80
SFN Regular
Netherlands
1278 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 06:48:58 [Permalink]
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| bicycles. Without question. |
Tom
`Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, `if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic.'
-Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Caroll- |
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Baza
New Member
United Kingdom
47 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 06:54:21 [Permalink]
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I think the toilet was recently voted the greatest invention of the 20th century by some group of scientists?? I'll try to find the link
Edited...found this though..not as good as I thought??
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200208\FOR20020830c.html |
Baza |
| Edited by - Baza on 09/19/2004 06:58:33 |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 11:39:15 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by tomk80
bicycles. Without question.
Yes! An important step in the evolution of the motorcycle (just shakin' yer cage  ).
And modern electronics might look to the humble vacuum tube as an important part of it's genesis.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9687 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 15:55:58 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Baza
Edited...found this though..not as good as I thought??
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200208\FOR20020830c.html
Not as good perhaps, but good enough for a laugh.
How about this quote from the article:
"Presumably the preferred solution to human waste problems is now abstinence" |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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Topic Locked
