July 16th, 2007
Toilet Paper on Demand - Do We Really Need This?
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
When I first found this story, it was in the form of an AP story, with no opinions about the pros and cons of the device. A little research found others of the some opinion as I: this is a stupid idea. A motion-activated toilet paper dispenser.
This moment will give you a chance to recall every excrutiating (sic) moment you’ve experienced in a public restroom . . .
Like the toilet that knows better than you when you’re finished, and starts flushing and heaving water at you if it thinks you are sitting too long.
The “motion-activated” faucet that forces you to gesture wildly in the hopes of finding the sensor. The rare times you do, all you get is cold water.
The motion-activated paper-towel dispenser that selfishly gives you about enough towel to dry your tears of frustration, but not much else. Source: Philly.com
We Say: Besides all the problems associated with these motion-detecting monstrocities in our restrooms, I’m not pleased with all the extra little niceties we keep adding to our lives, that reduce the need for us to move a finger, while depleting our oil supply and increasing greenhouse gas emissions … though in a miniscule way, per unit, to be sure. But add them all up, all over the world.
Do we really need sensor-driven urinals (how many of you men have come upon on that just won’t flush? I have yet to find one with a backup handle), toilets, paper towel dispensers, remote controls, automatic doors (I will make exceptions for the disabled), etc. etc. OK, OK, the TV remote control maybe 
, but the rest?
BTW, the article lists the email address of Dave Dickson, Director of Corporate Communications for Kimberly-Clark, just in case you want to give him a piece of your mind (pro or con). His e-mail is ddickson@kcc.com.
MissingFrame says:
The same reason why I drive a manual transmission, automatics make people bad drivers. But I agree, the remote control is in a different class!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:42 am
BeDammit says:
Dispensing toilet paper is ok as long as it DOESNT cut the paper and you can continually dispense it to your need.
As far as urinals are concerned…
Most are so dirty that WHY WOULD you touch them.
ick!
You could use paper towels…
But in the all automated bathrooms there arent any paper towels!
BeDammit
July 16th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Freud says:
As per the request of Cheryl Crow, all toilet paper dispensers will soon only release on square of paper per sitting. Directions for being environmentally responsible when using this valuable commodity is widely available on the web.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Jordan says:
@Freud:
And the only way to get around it is to get up, unlock the door, open the door a crack, close the door, lock the door and sit on the toilet seat again. The paper dispenser will gladly dispense another square of paper.
July 16th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
joxterthemighty says:
I already use Tp in those apalling restrooms tha tonlu have the air driers available, some people just require paper to get thier business done! legalize hemp so we can have cheap paper and stop these stupid automated dispensers that just piss people off!
July 16th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
ed3 says:
Really, if it’s that big of a deal, just carry your own. Given the “sandpaper” they stock in public restrooms, it might not be a bad idea regardless of dispenser. Keep a roll in the car, or get a small “camping” roll for the purse or jacket pocket.
July 17th, 2007 at 4:57 am