• skisnow@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    Something like this appeared near the Miramax offices in LA, where if you showed it your bare feet it gave you a milkshake. It remains a mystery who put it there.

  • Gammelfisch@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    In the USA, the machine would be accompanied by a paramedic team and several vultures (lawyers) circling above. In case of a heart attack.

    • COASTER1921@lemmy.ml
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      2 days ago

      Unfortunately I suspect that the people who it would reduce costs for most wouldn’t consider taking the bus in the first place.

      • Revan343@lemmy.ca
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        2 days ago

        It’s a long-term thing, like good primary education. Get 'em into good habits while they’re young. Probably work great if kids have bus passes for school most of the year and so get into the habit of using public transit, then suddenly need to either pay or exercise over the summer break

        This of course assumes a robust transit system, making the idea of taking the bus or train somewhere even worthwhile in the first place. Some places have that, some not so much

        • xorollo@leminal.space
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          1 day ago

          Yep, most of the US does not have any public transit access. And I believe rural US probably contributes heavily to the most severe obesity numbers.

  • bassomitron@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Wondered if this was actually real since I saw the post and realized what community it was posted under, haha:

    https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bus-ticket-20-squats/

    Mostly true

    In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, a so-called “health ticket” was introduced that allowed individuals to use public transportation for free by completing 20 squats. However, the organizers only implemented it in one city for a limited time. As of this writing, it’s unknown if the program will resume at a future date.

    It’s too bad it was only kind of a social experiment vs a real government-sponsored health campaign that was still ongoing. I think it’s a pretty great idea. However, I can also see it getting some negative backlash if the government funded it since those with certain disabilities wouldn’t be able to utilize it. I think it’d be easy enough to incorporate a variety of healthy exercises that are more accessible to get around that aspect, though.

    • frog@feddit.uk
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      2 days ago

      This is where I come in. I genuinely believe no one can be physically attracted to me. I can use the machine and the pervert can rethink his life as he sees a butt crack out of my stained jogging pants. It also sounds like I’m farting, I’m not though. My shoes makes a weird sound on the tongue. I can’t figure out why.

  • AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space
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    3 days ago

    Doing their bit to preserve Slavic traditions.

    (Yes, I know Romania is not Slavic, though they share the region’s squatting-in-tracksuits culture to an extent.)

  • Blackout@fedia.io
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    2 days ago

    Back in 2006/7 I worked at the agency on record for a lot of huge brands and we had just gotten Pepsi. So the CD asked my department (interactive) if we could come up with something unique before we had the big kickoff with their staff. I don’t know which one of us came up with the idea but a we decided to make a soda machine that would give you a free Pepsi if you hugged it. Got a machine and went to work engineering it, installing a screen so it can display graphics and a message. They loved it. We ended up redesigning a machine from scratch that could sense hugs or just a smile and made a commercial from it. That was back when designers were given fun tasks to be as creative as possible.

  • Derpenheim@lemmy.zip
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    2 days ago

    One of the biggest strains on a government is the health of its citizens. Decreasing obesity and other risk factors through physical activity will save them quite a bit more than a bus fare.

  • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    That’s ridiculous! They should hook it up to an exercise cycle and generate electricity off of it instead.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Depending on the length of the workout a more realistic number would be 30 to 90 W, 100 if you really push yourself for a short bout.

        Still, anything is better than nothing.

        • gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de
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          2 days ago

          yeah, 20 squats are like, what? 2 minutes max? that’s 3 Wh at 100 W power, or 0.003 kWh.

          if you get $0.10 per kWh, that’s $0.0003 per passenger, that’s not enough to pay for a bus ticket.

          • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago
            1. Why are we talking about squats?

            2. Why is 2min somehow equivalent to 3?

            3. We’re comparing no power generated to any power generated, ignoring the equipment cost thats infinite gain.

            • gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de
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              1 day ago

              We’re comparing no power generated to any power generated, ignoring the equipment cost thats infinite gain.

              You have to subtract the cost for the power generation station from that, then it’s negative profit margin.

              • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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                1 day ago

                You’re already building an exercise station whether it generates or not, you have to compare the two. Bike station doesn’t need cameras and sensors, probably much cheaper computer too. Heck, the power savings from dropping the detection equipment and algorithm are probably more than the power generated.