hot seat - when tech goes wrong

I read this the other day on the Chicago Trib site. This Japanese high-tech toilet maker (sounds strange to me) had a recall because of possible flaming toilets (ooch). When I consider that other recent post about foul flatulence, this could be very explosive. Good thing that Scottish pub didn't have one of these high-tech WC's.

The popular Z series features a pulsating massage spray, a power dryer, built-in-the-bowl deodorizing filter, the "Tornado Wash" flush and a lid that opens and closes automatically. Prices range from $1,680 to $2,600.

Here's description of one of their high priced models: (from CNN Money article)

Walk up to the world's most expensive toilet--the $5,000 Neorest, with its elegant lines and push-button controls--and it does automatically what millions of husbands so famously cannot: It lifts the seat.

An amazing feat, to be sure, and there's plenty more where that came from. If your business involves sitting rather than standing, the toilet's infrared sensors will detect that too, and on cold mornings it'll even greet your backside with a warm welcome, heating the seat to a toasty 98 degrees. Then there's the wireless remote, which operates a hidden wand that showers your behind with warm water before finishing the job with a gentle blow-dry. As you step away, the lid folds back down and a nozzle and "siphon jets" spring into action, using 1.2 gallons of water if the sensors identify the contents as No. 1, or 1.6 gallons otherwise.

Appears the Japanese treasure their throne more than me. Seems like "money down the tube" to me. I think plain toilet seats are over priced.

This reminded me an April Fools joke (yeah, it's the middle of April already but I was traveling) that Google did about a toilet network. It sounded like a pun on the whole internet plumbing/pipe metaphor.