News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by avar on Thursday June 11, 2015 @02:28AM (#9697973)
Hasn't this already been invented? With the problem being that most westerners don't like the solution because it looks unfamiliar:

    * You install a squat toilet
    * It's cleaned by flooding the entire
      toilet area with water, which once
      turned off all washes down into the
      toilet
    * No toilet paper, you clean yourself
      with water
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by jacobolus on Thursday June 11, 2015 @03:06AM (#9698100)
The biggest problem is not even that it looks unfamiliar, but that the majority of “westerners” have insufficient ankle flexibility to squat, due to a lifetime of sitting in chairs and no experience squatting.

You might be able to build a squat toilet where the feet rested on a ramp (i.e. raised at the heel side), though I suspect most Americans would still refuse to use it.

Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by havill on Thursday June 11, 2015 @05:23AM (#9698576)
Not just westerners; squat toilets, while in theory are good for the rectum, are not accessible to the disabled.
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by thaumasiotes on Thursday June 11, 2015 @03:35AM (#9698209)
You don't need a ramp to squat on tiptoe. I squat with my feet flat on the ground, but I have been told that doing that is hard for most (US) people. Still, Americans do squat. They just don't do it with flat feet.
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by vlasev on Thursday June 11, 2015 @03:56AM (#9698294)
Have you actually tried pooping while on tiptoes??
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by thaumasiotes on Thursday June 11, 2015 @02:22PM (#9701359)
No, for multiple reasons. But if you're looking for people with that experience, I suggest talking to some American backpackers.
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by agumonkey on Thursday June 11, 2015 @04:17AM (#9698379)
That comes pretty fast with time. I was surprised I could crouch like a baby, after 3 monthes, something I couldn't do anymore for decades. I believe your back will thank you too.
Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by sorbits on Thursday June 11, 2015 @11:43AM (#9700358)
That’s how many public toilets work in China.

Many of those I saw were pretty disgusting, and my travel companion reported that it also applied to the toilets for the opposite sex.

Re:Google Launches Sidewalk Labs by vetler on Thursday June 11, 2015 @05:21AM (#9698567)
Sounds like a waste of water, though.