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Scientists Create 'The World's Most Relaxing Room'
Posted by Sean Fallon at 3:45 AM on October 25, 2008
The credit crunch and the hectic pace of modern life has inspired Professor Richard Wiseman to create what he believes is "the world's most relaxing room" at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, just north of London. His research led him to invite visitors to lie down on soft matting with lavender scented pillows in a darkened room lit only with "a calming glade-like green light." A simulated blue sky is projected onto the ceiling above while a soundtrack specifically composed for the project by resident Professor of Music, Tim Blinko plays softly in the background.
Feeling a little stressed out? Good thing it's Friday--the weekend should offer ample opportunity to unwind. Unfortunately, some of you may be have so much going on that a couple of days off may not do the job. Not to worry, there are plenty of gadgets out there that can help you recover from the stress that a long week at work, a pile of unpaid bills, constant nagging about your "drinking problem" and a mysterious rash can cause.
If German scientists have their way, your shirt may one day be able to pipe up with "I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over." That's because they've developed a new sensor that detects muscle excitation and thus detects stress. It's flexible enough to be woven into clothing and survive washing. Why would you want to do that? For sports training, coaches may be able to tell if athletes are tired out or still have some reserves left, or you may slide on a special vest that lets you control your games console. Makes a Wiimote seem kinda wimpy doesn't it? [
Designer Haishu Zhang has created the Sweety concept gadget to help soothe away people's stresses. Apparently he's designed to be your 24-hour listener, so I guess you just sound-off in his direction rather than at a real person. And Sweety reacts with graphic patterns and colour changes that, um, help you somehow. I'm a little confused how that bit's supposed to work, but I do understand it's interactive mode: when the rage hits you, you can just wrestle and pound the little bugger's soft body. And that's therapy. [
Destruction therapy has been around for a while now, but is only just starting to hit its stride. On June 21st, a large group of variously frustrated individuals converged on Castejon, Spain to launch the town fiestas with the coordinated destruction of an entire field of appliances and cars. Mainstream medicine has yet to recognise the efficacy of destruction therapy, but hey, I'm sure frontal lobotomies took a few years to catch on too. Gallery after the jump. [
