Thursday, May 18, 2006

GO Janusz!


So I am a big nerd, watching all of the American ___________ shows. My latest hope is American Inventor, since I am no longer really following American Idol. I am rewatching last weeks episode with the four finalists right now, and at nine the winner will be announced.

Last week, due to my heartbreak at Chris' elimination from Idol, I was inspired to vote on Inventor, making sure I did my part. I cast all five votes for Janusz (Yanoosh) Liberkowski, inventor of Anecia, the rotating car seat named after his baby girl that was killed in a car accident. We'll see how it all plays out, as all of the inventions are good and important, but Janusz's invention directly saves lives and is so brilliant. I wish they could make these car seats for adults... might have spared me a few broken bones.

JANUSZ!!!!!!!!

9 comments:

kendalljean said...

Woo hoo! He won!

edluv said...

i've been thinking about this car seat thing. i've heard a lot lately about how most car seats provide more than ample protection, if you only install them correctly. but, many don't, and that's when you run into problems.

kendalljean said...

hmm, can they judge that or is that assumed? if the car seat is installed improperly, and there is an accident, it can be blamed on the installation, but the impact might have still injured the child even if it was installed right. I think this new car seat will just make it that much safer... assuming they are installed properly.

That is kind of like saying "why make cars safer, because most deaths and injuries are the result of people not buckling up." Even if this is true I still want car companies to continue to innovate and create safer cars.

Adam said...

Ah, but economically speaking, it sounds like his invention is both bulky and probably going to be expensive to manufacture. If the cost/benefit analysis doesn't work out right, he may have a patented design that there is no demand for because it may be slightly safer, but no one is willing to shell out the extra two hundred bucks for.

My solution is not having kids. Way, way easier.

edluv said...

i think they can judge that. i know that the chp regularly runs check points, and will show you how to properly install them. people from all walks of life have trouble, and most seats aren't that easy to install. and, few install the same.

i think there has to be a balance of practicality and safety. for instance, you're less likely to be injured if you're in a suv and are in an accident. of course, the person you're in a wreck with is screwed because they're in a civic instead of a tank. so, should we all drive tanks?

or, i was watching a program about bullet proof vests. many early models were effective, but bulky, difficult to use, and made the wearer less mobile. that's not good if you're a soldier or a cop. sure, you may not get hurt by the bullet, but you can't do your job. then, kevlar was invented. soon, they had effective, safe, and functional vests.

i see the modern car seat like an average safe car or a kevlar west. properly used, great. improperly used, not so good. maybe even unsafe.

so, the guy had an innovative idea and design. actually, the idea sounds really smart, innovative, and works on principles that seem better than the current model. but, if it's more trouble to use it than it's worth, is it practical? i know, these are lives here, but still.

kendalljean said...

Good points by all. I hope that they are able to make the car seat both practical and affordable because it is a great idea.

As for myself, an SUV driver, I do feel safer in my big car... and the guy in the civic just better not run into me (or turn in front of me), but I do realize that I am driving a weapon and I do everything in my ability to not hit someone else.

Sorry, felt defensive.

Adam said...

I'll drag out my old argument. If everyone drove small cars, you wouldn't need a bigger car to feel safer.

But, addressing your feeling defensive. It's understandable, I too would like to see baby seats made to be safe. We just have to make sure that we're not blinded by the ideal. No seat is fool-proof or 100% safe. So, if this new seat can't significantly reduce injuries and fatalities, is it worth spending the large amounts of capital on?

This is all of course having never seen this seat or truly understood it's apparent superiority.

edluv said...

i have to point out that every time i see that picture of the guy, i think dave stiglich.

kendalljean said...

hahaha, that's really funny! I hadn't thought of that, but now I will. I was laughing when I read the bit about our baptism and clicked the link to our sites... It looked like Janusz was the one baptized.