Comments on: Got water?

Got water?

dg — Thu, 27 May 2004 17:07:42 -0800

The ultimate renewable energy resource - kids. Unlike Monsters inc, who harness the energy of screams, the Playpump (also discussed here) harnesses kids having fun to provide clean water. If they have to cart water, the Q-drum (also discussed here) is a very simple way to make this chore easier. In this complicated world, the best ideas are still the simple ones. via A Whole Lotta Nothing

By: scarabic

scarabic — Thu, 27 May 2004 17:25:55 -0800

I was just reading about a water filtration system someone took out to Burning Man, one stage of which is pumped by a see-saw. Now that's thinking! Here is a totally work-safe photo of it. There are other photos. Index page is here. But I will warn you that, its being Burning Man and all, there are some naked folks in some of them who are not super models. NSFW.

By: scarabic

scarabic — Thu, 27 May 2004 17:26:31 -0800

oh! that's [via CTP]

By: crunchburger

crunchburger — Fri, 28 May 2004 04:06:37 -0800

This is great stuff, a low-tech solution for the developing world along the lines of the evaporation-powered food cooler that was posted here some months back.

By: asok

asok — Fri, 28 May 2004 04:52:07 -0800

You might want to add the prefix "i" to the nomenclature to encourage interest around these parts. e.g. The iPlaypump and the iQ-drum, possibly alluding to a compatiability problem with Windows and bluetooth. That Q-drum looks suspiciously like a lawn roller I once used, also filled with water. Just saying.

By: fenriq

fenriq — Fri, 28 May 2004 10:16:58 -0800

Some really cool ideas for helping people. Though I can see kids of the future being forced to "play" on the roundabout. Nah, still a good idea! Was I the only one that had serious issues with that Rolex site?

By: jacquilynne

jacquilynne — Fri, 28 May 2004 10:56:35 -0800

The roundabout is a pretty cool idea. I don't see any mention of a more traditional backup pump, but I guess if the kids don't want to play, the adults could instead. I think it's interesting to compare things like this to say, the Segway. As inventions go, I'm pretty sure the water pump system will prove to be more useful.

By: dg

dg — Sun, 30 May 2004 16:19:13 -0800

Actually, asok, I think I killed the server with this post, as it went down within minutes of the thread being posted, as have the last two threads I have posted. Just bad timing or a conspiracy? You decide. jacquilynne, I agree completely. The Segway may end up being the transport of the future, but will it actually help anyone in a meaningful way?