NationStates Jolt Archive

Clicky (http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/30/talking.toilets.reut/index.html)




Talking Dutch toilets flush with comments


AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- The citizens of Amsterdam may now take counsel of talking toilets that expound on the perils of smoking or the futility of war and berate them on hygiene and cleanliness.

The first such toilets, fitted with sensors to detect exactly what visitors do and to pass comment if appropriate, were installed in a central Amsterdam cafe Thursday. Creator Leonard van Munster, who sees the project as an artistic venture, will build more if the demand arises.

"You might consider sitting down next time," the toilet told a male Reuters reporter politely in a female robot voice. The next user was told that "The last visitor did not take heed of basic rules of hygiene."

Depending on circumstances, the toilet might remind you to wash your hands or ask you to lift the seat.

"It could suddenly start coughing and warn you about the dangers of cigarettes, or name all the cool movie stars who smoke. It just depends what mood it's in," van Munster said referring to people who sneak off to secretly have a puff.

Roflmao

i already live there :D

i already live there :D
I have family there :D

(Ok, not as good, but....)

today, the bathrooms...TOMORROW THE WORLD!


Oooohhh...they might beat me to world domination!

I thought the free porn was a good enough reason...

I thought the free porn was a good enough reason...
Not to keen on porn (one of the reasons that I frequently accused of being gay). But what do you think is better. Being stoned and talking to a toilet about the futility of war, or just being stoned?

Just don't get into one of the "you Hollanders shit on a shelf!" vs. "You Yanks shit in a pond" discussions like I did with my Dutch cousins. Nobody wins, believe me.

Just don't get into one of the "you Hollanders shit on a shelf!" vs. "You Yanks shit in a pond" discussions like I did with my Dutch cousins. Nobody wins, believe me.
I'll remember that the next time I see my family over there.

(Although I can't remember ever shitting in Holland. Suppose it would be weird if I did though.)

Not to keen on porn (one of the reasons that I frequently accused of being gay). But what do you think is better. Being stoned and talking to a toilet about the futility of war, or just being stoned?

I like getting stoned and talking to a toilet about the best position for peeing...

I want such a toilet!!!

What? Besides Amsterdam they also have this?! I'm moving to Holland!

What? Besides Amsterdam they also have this?! I'm moving to Holland!
It's in Amsterdam. ;)

Dammit, I want to go!

i live at 20 kilometres from Amsterdam :D :D

Rare jongens, die Nederlanders ;-)

I thought the only reason ot come to Holland was to see me. Mwuaaahhh

Rare jongens, die Nederlanders ;-)
I've been told it is genetic.

I thought the only reason ot come to Holland was to see me. Mwuaaahhh

Post your address and we'll all come to see you ;)

yes, it can't be that far for me :D

Urgh. For every reason there is to move to the Netherlands, there are a hundred to run the other way. They practically tax you for breathing, and anything else they can tax, they tax. (They DO tax you for breathing, as a matter of fact. It's called a Green Tax. This is a tax on everything they'd be ashamed to say they were taxing you for, such as air and water.)

It costs over $1800 to get a driver's license, more if you fail the first time you try, then you have to get a car. The employment situation is dire, and you've got your career picked for you before you get to high school.

I'd rather stay where I am, no offense to the patriotic dutchies out there.

Urgh. For every reason there is to move to the Netherlands, there are a hundred to run the other way. They practically tax you for breathing, and anything else they can tax, they tax. (They DO tax you for breathing, as a matter of fact. It's called a Green Tax. This is a tax on everything they'd be ashamed to say they were taxing you for, such as air and water.)

It costs over $1800 to get a driver's license, more if you fail the first time you try, then you have to get a car. The employment situation is dire, and you've got your career picked for you before you get to high school.

I'd rather stay where I am, no offense to the patriotic dutchies out there.
I think the fact that there are talking toilets make all the tax worthwhile.

Eeehm..tell the whole story, dude..

Taxes in The Netherlands (and Belgium) are way higher. But our wages are amongst the highest of Europe, our education systems are considered some of the best and healthcare and welfare systems are better too.

It's an entirely different system of government

Eeehm..tell the whole story, dude..

Taxes in The Netherlands (and Belgium) are way higher. But our wages are amongst the highest of Europe, our education systems are considered some of the best and healthcare and welfare systems are better too.
Not for much longer if Harry Potter has his way.

I'd rather stay where I am.
Don't worry. We don't want you here anyway.

Not for much longer if Harry Potter has his way.


That's why I'm glad I'm 20 km's south :P

damn you

I'd rather stay where I am.
Don't worry. We don't want you here anyway.




I'd rather stay where I am, no offense to the patriotic dutchies out there.

Please try not to be so selective with what you're quoting when you choose to be offensive.

Don't worry. We don't want you here anyway

Don't worry, you can keep it, and much joy may it bring you.

Not for much longer if Harry Potter has his way.
Who's Harry Potter? [I assume you are not talking about the fictional wizard]

Who's Harry Potter? [I assume you are not talking about the fictional wizard]
The Dutch Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
Balkenende (http://www.regering.nl/bewindslieden/kabinet/mpbalkenende.jsp)

The Dutch Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
Balkenende (http://www.regering.nl/bewindslieden/kabinet/mpbalkenende.jsp)

Think that this is the best nickname they could give him, he is so Harry Potter.., i heared that fellow EU politicians talk about him that way when they meet.

Eeehm..tell the whole story, dude..

Taxes in The Netherlands (and Belgium) are way higher. But our wages are amongst the highest of Europe, our education systems are considered some of the best and healthcare and welfare systems are better too.

It's an entirely different system of government
And next to the higher wages, there's the price for living gone haywire. There's people in Holland having to resort to personal loans or credit to do their daily groceries. Then there's the fact you have to pay extra for services that require human interaction. (Train ticket, anyone?)

Welfare systems being better? If you ever manage to get through the introductory paperwork, that is. And even then they're constantly on your case, because you're occupying space and money, never mind the fact you've been working your ass off for years to have a right to some basic support...

But yeah, a talking toilet is awesome. "Whoa dude, whachoo been eat'n!?" :rolleyes:

I'm (soon to be ex-)Dutch, btw.

Here in Canada, to those of you who've been and/or lived in Ottawa (unfortunate bastards... unless you liked it there, then...EW!!!!)... They have talking trashcans in some of the malls! Or, at least I remember there being a few there.

Thank god I live fairly far away from Amsterdam. Last thing you need when taking a dump is someone commenting on how you're doing...

The worst part is the fact that it would comment on the previous user.
What if it decides to announce to everyone that:
"The previous user had a small penis."
Or what about:
"The previous user had hemmoroids."
Do we really need this?