# Plausible or soon-to-be plausible inventions you think they ought to have **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 13, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020 "2010-10-13T16:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/61 "2010-10-17T06:37:39Z")
Sooner or later they will come up with a nanomachine or some tailored gene that breaks down fat molecules and sends them hurrrying out of your body. They will be a godsend for most people. Some anorexics will find a way to kill themselves with them. But someone will find a way to kill themselves with most every invention listed here. However, I wanna give SPECIAL kudoes to the images projected on the windshield idea. More things to distract you while driving. Yah, that’ll kill a LOT of people. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/62 "2010-10-17T07:04:26Z")
> [@Haunted\_Pasta](#): > > I am reminded again this week, as I get over another head cold, of the need for a fast-acting nasal decongestant spray that doesn’t get your sinuses addicted. I would fly to Stockholm at my own expense to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony for its inventor. [Neti pots!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=513026) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/63 "2010-10-17T07:05:53Z")
I don’t drive, so I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think the HUD idea on a windscreen is any more distracting than glancing down at the dashboard or conversing with a passenger is already. And the idea is to make it more convenient and useful, so your eyes can remain on the road for longer periods. And, by the way, it’s **kudos**. It’s not a plural; it’s Greek. Pronounced: “Q - doss” ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/64 "2010-10-17T13:20:12Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I don’t drive, so I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think the HUD idea on a windscreen is any more distracting than glancing down at the dashboard or conversing with a passenger is already. And the idea is to make it more convenient and useful, so your eyes can remain on the road for longer periods. > > And, by the way, it’s **kudos**. It’s not a plural; it’s Greek. Pronounced: “Q - doss” We retrofitted our 89 Corvette with a HUD (factory came out with them in 90, but all the bits and pieces where already there in 89), and it’s rare I look down at the instrument panel anymore. It really DOES reduce distraction, in a way thats obvious with a little use. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/65 "2010-10-17T21:51:10Z")
More like a “service” than a “product”…I’d love some way to get a replica of \*my own skull \*made, like from CAT scans using a rapid prototyper, without having to make lots of special arrangements and spend hideous amounts of money (less than a grand would be great). ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/66 "2010-10-17T22:14:27Z")
Gah, brainfart. Our -98- vette was retrofitted with a -99- HUD. This gettin old sucks! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/67 "2010-10-17T22:16:12Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > More like a “service” than a “product”…I’d love some way to get a replica of \*my own skull \*made, like from CAT scans using a rapid prototyper, without having to make lots of special arrangements and spend hideous amounts of money (less than a grand would be great). Please let me know when this service becomes available. I too need a copy of your skull. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/68 "2010-10-18T03:30:41Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > More like a “service” than a “product”…I’d love some way to get a replica of \*my own skull \*made, like from CAT scans using a rapid prototyper, without having to make lots of special arrangements and spend hideous amounts of money (less than a grand would be great). I need a copy of your skull, too. No particular reason. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/69 "2010-10-18T03:47:52Z")
And a lock of hair, please. No rush, you can send it along with the skull. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/70 "2010-10-18T04:43:17Z")
Hey, no problem baby, plenty of skulls to go around. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/71 "2010-10-18T05:36:19Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I don’t drive, so I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think the HUD idea on a windscreen is any more distracting than glancing down at the dashboard or conversing with a passenger is already. And the idea is to make it more convenient and useful, so your eyes can remain on the road for longer periods. I read somewhere that since the introduction of speed cameras in Australia, the average motorist now spends almost as much time (or at least a significant proportion thereof) looking at their speedo as they do at the road. This is not a good thing, in case you were unsure. An on-windscreen HUD would definitely be a step in the right direction towards avoiding that problem, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/72 "2010-10-18T12:51:21Z")
Also cruise control is a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/73 "2010-10-18T12:55:50Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I need a copy of your skull, too. No particular reason. Really. aww Hell. Sign me up too, perhaps you’ll get a quantity discount! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/74 "2010-10-18T13:02:04Z")
BTW, when I said “copy” of your skull, I meant a biologically exact copy. Which probably involves cloning you, and eventually de-skulling the clone. Is that a problem? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/75 "2010-10-18T13:39:18Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > BTW, when I said “copy” of your skull, I meant a biologically exact copy. Which probably involves cloning you, and eventually de-skulling the clone. Is that a problem? Bah! Madness—that’d take far too long! Besides, the method I was musing about specifically used a rapid prototyper. Modifying it for _you’re_ asking for would require at the _least_ some kind of bone-culturing setup, some kind of enamel-milling rig, gallons of artificial blood…or real blood… Hmmm… \* Hmmmmm…\* ::strokes beard thoughtfully, evilly:: I’m going to be in the workshop for a little while…'got a couple of ideas. Gonna need an old dishwasher, some chicken wire, and some people who won’t be missed… ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/76 "2010-10-18T13:43:57Z")
Tis the Season! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/77 "2010-10-18T13:52:48Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Bah! Madness—that’d take far too long! Besides, the method I was musing about specifically used a rapid prototyper. Modifying it for _you’re_ asking for would require at the _least_ some kind of bone-culturing setup, some kind of enamel-milling rig, gallons of artificial blood…or real blood… > > Hmmm… > \* > Hmmmmm…\* > > ::strokes beard thoughtfully, evilly:: > > I’m going to be in the workshop for a little while…'got a couple of ideas. > > Gonna need an old dishwasher, some chicken wire, and some people who won’t be missed… Two words, my friend… stem cells. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/78 "2010-10-18T13:53:36Z")
So we can somehow involve Fetusses too? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/79 "2010-10-18T14:01:02Z")
Absolutely! But I don’t want a fetus skull! Too squishy. I want a full-on adult skull that can hold a man-sized draught of ale. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020/80 "2010-10-18T14:34:12Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I want a full-on adult skull that can hold a man-sized draught of ale. [Does that work?](http://oglaf.com/skulls/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-or-soon-to-be-plausible-inventions-you-think-they-ought-to-have/557020.md?page=5)