Beware New Inventions

While watching the news today I learned about a new product called a Noonee – the Chairless chair that you wear. It is also called the invisible chair, but it is clearly visible, it just does not look like a chair. What it is is an exoskeleton device you wear on your legs and when you want to go into a seated position you turn it on, or something like that and basically squat.

The company that makes it says it’s for production workers who have standing jobs with no place to sit down when they are tired because chairs take up too much space in factories. Yes, those types of workers may like this invention, but I see terrible things in the future with the “Chairless Chair” existence.

First I imagine airlines may see this as a way to back more people onto planes. It is going to be standing room only, but if you get tired just squat with the use of your invisible chair. You thought checking a bag was expensive imagine how much money an airline could get for a real seat.

Next restaurants could start charging for seating areas that have actual seats. Instead of BYOB it’s BYOC. Poor people who cannot afford exoskeletons will be dragging old folding chairs around everywhere.

Once we have rid the world of chairs, sofa will certainly be next. No lying down to watch the football game. You ex-couch potato, just squat there in front of the flat screen with the exo-chair strapped to your backside with side table attachment holding your beer and snacks.

Inventors out there jump right on this craze and get ahead of the curve with the PJ’s with the built in bed. Furniture as we know it is a thing of the past. We are going to have wear everything. I wonder if the new ex-furniture will come is styles like Chippendale and Queen Anne? I am so sick of mid-century modern.

I hope your hips and glutes are in good shape because they are clearly going to get a workout with this new “chair.” Mark my words; RSS- or Repetitive squatting syndrome is coming. The orthopedic world needs to gear up for a whole new set of problems. I think I’m not going to short Herman Miller stock yet.