Back in December I wrote three posts that showed tools that meant to improve behavior by challenging you to re-think your actions. They included fake fat for weight loss, a live miles-per-gallon gauge, and a death countdown. Well, my next example might top them all.
A site called ThinkGeek is offering SnūzNLūz, an alarm clock that is WiFi enabled and linked to your credit card. If you fail to wake up and stop the clock, the device automatically makes a contribution to your most hated special interest organization. Some examples from the site:
Are you a butcher? Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to PETA
Are you a republican? Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to the ACLU!
Are you a land developer? Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to the Wilderness Society!
Enjoy your freedom? (Blue state version) Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to the GOP. or
Enjoy your freedom? (Red state version) Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to MoveOn.Org
Are you a hippie? Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to the American Coal Foundation.
While ingenious, to be fair, I cannot tell if the product is legit or not. ThinkGeek claims to be taking orders, but the order form says available is "presumably", and some fine print says that 50% of the donations will be routed to ThinkGeek.
Either way, this novel idea is another great example of how forcing one to feel the pain of a negative habit can have positive consequences.
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