The New York Times has posted a set of photos and an article that show off some of Japanese clothing designer Aya Tsukioka’s “urban camouflage” safety products, such as this vending machine dress that a woman can use to hide herself when pursued by criminals:
These ideas might strike foreigners as far-fetched,” Ms. Tsukioka said, “but in Japan, they can become reality.”
Categories: Odd / Strange Tags: japan, urban camouflage
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Now all they have to do is give the rest of the vending machines feet and a cloth-like appearance.
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If you are being chased by criminals, how long would it take for you to actually put it on?
And couldn’t criminals ironically use them to pickpocket people who are using an actual vending machine?
It’s a double sided sword.
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How about she runs to a police box instead?
This sucks.
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OMG I need one. Just in time for Halloween!
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Ha. I like that.
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I try to stay clear of saying anything is “stupid” because it’s rude and generally adds nothing but the comment made by Ms. Tsukioka is frankly pretty dumb. Is she suggesting only foreigners are going to find it far-fetched? I’m betting most Japanese would find it pretty ridiculous as well. If she’s suggesting only Japanese people make their silly and pointless ideas a reality, then she’s not very worldly in her knowledge or experiences.
My husband said that it looks like a part of a Monty Python sketch.
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Most Japanese would find this entirely insane, which of course it is. She’s an “experimental fashion designer” so this is basically the fashion equivalent of the Turner Prize – something so outrageous to get your attention and publicity.
And here we go with the pat pseudo-sociological analysis served up for the Western media: “But the devices’ creators also argue that Japan’s ideas about crime prevention are a product of deeper cultural differences. While Americans want to protect themselves from criminals, or even strike back, the creators say many Japanese favor camouflage and deception, reflecting a culture that abhors self-assertion, even in self-defense.”
And
“It is just easier for Japanese to hide,” Ms. Tsukioka said. “Making a scene would be too embarrassing.”
Like this isn’t?
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I assume that if you’re being pursued by criminals, it’ll be in the dark, not the broad daylight, and so my question is does the vending machine light up? Or is the woman just going to be standing there in a suspiciously dark, partially folded, shoed vending machine?
The pictures of the kid’s back pack are amusing, because I don’t think it’s hard to miss two legs sticking out from under a red-metal case.
The sewer lid is just baffling. You’d have to be a pretty flat person to pull that one off.
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If the criminals are feeling thirsty, she’s screwed.
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Should I be ashamed that I fell for it? At least until I read the post and looked at the picture as a whole, anyway.
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That’s brilliant. Now if they can make one as big as a train…
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When it comes to avoiding rape, better to be safe than sorry. The ‘dress’ should cover her shoes though
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This reminds me of Metal Gear Solid
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I want the manhole cover purse.
“This is a stick up give me your bag!”
“(toss!) What bag?”
“Oh, I see you don’t have a bag. Nevermind then. I’ll make my getaway through the sewers via this manhole cover.”
“DOH!”
This stuff reminds me of when Homer lost Wigum by turning off his headlights while driving at night. “Ghost car!”
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