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Hokey Snake-Oil Gadgets Claim to Keep Ghosts and Bad Vibes Away

by Warren Riddle on April 30, 2009 at 05:23 PM

Famed humorist H.L. Mencken, or maybe it was cartoonist Scott Adams, supposedly once said: "Never underestimate the stupidity of the American public." While we would never insult our intelligent readers like that, gullibility does seem to run rampant among Americans, particularly when we are acting as consumers. For centuries, so-called snake oil salesmen and traveling medicine shows have attempted to peddle their useless wares under various beneficial guises -- and modern day gadgets and gizmos are no exception to the tradition.

Chris Hardwick, a watchdog for Wired, recently tested out some dubious sounding devices -- including a ghost detector and a bad-vibe remover -- revealing just how hilariously absurd and useless the products are. Hardwick describes the $100 Safe Space, a device designed to "absorb" negative energy, by saying, "I think I tested this. I'm not sure. I sort of felt like I was testing a rock for sadness." Comedic gold, Mr Hardwick. Pure gold.

Check out his reviews for some more hilarity and consumer consternation, especially if you've been lamenting the void of useless gadgets created by the shuttering of Sharper Image stores. When you're done, take a tour of our "Worst Gadgets of All Time" and let us know if you agree. Or, let us know if you've got a gadget that's even worse. [From: Wired]


Tags: funny, snake oil, SnakeOil, top, useless gadgets, UselessGadgets, worst gadgets, WorstGadgets

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