no. 9: static rims

I know they make spinning rims for cars, but why not make ones that never spin, no matter how fast the car is going. I'm not sure the mechanics of most rims, but I feel all it would take is a rim that is connected to an axel, but is weighted on the bottom so that no matter how fast the axel spins, the weighted part of the rim stays on the bottom. Perhaps they already have this, but it seems cool (or relatively cooler than spinning rims)...

no. 8: flusher rolls

So public restrooms are disgusting, and the toilet flush handles are perhaps the most disgusting part of the whole thing. Most public restrooms use a basic socket flushing lever. Why not develop a simple roll that fits around the handle, so that when a patron flushes, he can just pull off the outermost layer with the flush, disposing of it on the way out. I'm thinking something like a roll of paper with a smaller core and unconected layers. It may have to be made of a material like onion paper to ensure that layers easily come off.

no. 7: better handwritten fonts

People use fonts that look handwritten when they want to make something seem more personal, or more human. The thing that accomplishes this is the small imperfections: a bulge in the top of the 'e,' or a long swoop on the tail of a 'g.' These details attract attention, and evoke a non-computerized feel. But when these letters are repeated (as two 't's were there), the effect is ruined and the reader feels annoyed (or is that just me). This was on display in the (otherwise well-done) credits for the new Harry Potter movie... Some advanced handwriting fonts sometimes have this feature, but why not have all handwritten fonts randomly generate these human touches, or at least have two or three iterations of each letter so an not to be so obviously from a computer...

no. 6: omon ra

So I read this book a long time ago. It's called Omon Ra and it's about a fake space program in Russia, and it's really amazing. Anyway, always thought it would make a great movie or tv-show or play.

Today, reading Boing Boing, it seems like someone stole the idea (from the author, not from me). The post and linked story talk about a new British reality program called Space Cadets intent on convincing people they're going into space as part of a space cadet program using all sorts of crazy technology and a fake shuttle.

Anyways, someone should call Victor Pelevin and make sure he gets his money for this one... oddly, the full text is available online, but go buy the book anyway.

And I still think it would make a better movie than a reality show. I hope this doesn't spoil the concept.

no. 5: the anti-roofy

There seems to be no agreed spelling on this, but the basic idea is a drug that keeps guys from getting aroused for 48 hours. A boy comes to take your daughter out on a date, you slip one of these in his glass of Sprite (while he's waiting for your daughter to get ready), and you don't have to worry about him getting too frisky. Or girls can slip them in the drinks of the guys that are hitting on them if they're not interested and don't want their future alcohol-impaired judgment to lead them to make a mistake that night...

no. 4: email airmail

Often, when communicating with people, you don't want an instant response, or for them to get the message right away. For instance, when keeping in touch with an old friend, the immediacy of email creates an odd impetus for rapid and continual dialogue. Create a service that simulates the (somewhat random) delay brought on by normal mail. So send a message to your friend, and, depending on their geographic distance, it delivers it in around X days. They respond, and you can have more of a correspondence with less pressure...

no. 3: ass buds

Taco Bell should develop taste buds for people's butts, so their food can be enjoyed twice in 30 minutes.

no. 2: match rating

Match.com, and other dating engines, should implement a rating system like eBay. You should rank a person when you get back from a date, so other people know if it is a good person to get in contact with... Wouldn't you rather date someone if you knew they were an A+++?

no. 1: pimp motors

GM: Give Xzibit a car line and let him do what he pleases...