'Slippers' for Democracy

Plusea has posted directions on Instructables for how to make improved 'Joy Slippers.' Joy Slippers are footwear-based controllers (the 'joy' comes from 'joysticks') with four embedded analog pressure-sensitive sensors. The current design is wired, but in the comments, Plusea says that she will be making a Bluetooth version soon. Right now, the Joy Slippers' main use is drawing with the feet; however, the possibilities for such controllers are much larger. What if we could teach (or reinforce, during practice) foot positions for dancing or sports with Joy Slipper-like controllers? How about teaching rhythm through the familiar mechanism of the human foot? If manufacture of such controllers became cheaper because of innovation spurred by the DIY experimentation of people like Plusea, it could democratize aspects of training for physical activities. In addition, if Joy Slippers were used to control the movements of characters in popular video games, it could increase fitness levels in many households, much as the Dance Dance Revolution and the Wii have. This is particularly true in areas where parents might not feel safe simply sending their children to "play outside" (although many politicians, secure in their upper-middle-class suburban enclaves, seem to believe in that as the answer to the world's problems.)

Knowing Your Rights Just Got Easier

The Public Library of Law (via Lifehacker) is a search engine for legal information, including court decisions, federal, state, and local laws, and free legal forms. If you need a form to make a living will, they have them available for every state. If you need information on buying and selling real estate, they have real estate handbooks. If you think you've experienced workplace discrimination, you can look up statutes and court cases on that. This is an example of what the net should be; a force for the democratization of information. ¡Viva las bibliotécas!