June 27, 2007

Looks like Mannatech is at it again, this time, revolutionizing water!

Background

I reviewed the company Mannatech a few weeks ago for their successful attempts at circumventing laws, selling nothing but useless overpriced sugar pills and telling those taking them it will cure their cancer, aids and a host of other outrageous claims.  (Mannatech: Overpriced Sugar Pills)

Well, I guess they are on fire now, apparently, they have discovered something new, truly revolutionizing… water! I have to give them credit though, they admit they are selling nothing but sugar pills, now they are selling water, at least they got some honesty (however perverse).

Enhanced Water Technology

You got to be kidding, people actually believe this bull shit? Water, is made by two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, forming H2O. If it was H3O or HO3 then it isn’t water, it’s something else! Their new line of revolutionizing skin care product, dubbed “Optimal Skin Care System” is free of preservatives, fragrances and colorants… their marketing worked overtime on this one folks because the secret behind being able to do this is Enhanced Water Technology! WOW….

Tensa Water

I though this was a joke but apparently Mannatechs incredible water technology uses proprietary filtration and enhancement systems that creates a new form of water called Tensa Water. What is Tensa Water? Well, it’s like glyconutrients, a catch phrase that only exists in marketing departments as opposed to scientific ones. Tensa means Heavenly. So, to put this another way, Mannatechs Water Technology, the thing they spent so much R&D developing via prayer produces Heavenly Water.

Clinical Studies?

Mannatech is as synonymous to a clinical study as a boat is to an orange tree. They did a study that showed by using this incredible heavenly water called Tensa that people had increased skin moisture, smoothness and hydration… no shit… they are putting water on it! They even point to the fact that this study found out that radiance (incredibly subjective word that is scientifically useless) grew by 75% and skin moisture improved by 100%! Mannatech has to be laughing all the way to the bank on this one.

Ultra Pure Water

Well, apparently Tensa is a revolution and they have also invented Ultra Pure Water as well, with a mix of other naturally sourced ingredients such as trehalose, iris florentina root extract with isoflavone, yeast extract, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and artemia extract.

What’s Next?

Well, I am convinced that in a few months Mannatech will be selling dirt, after water and sugar, this has to be the next logical step… no? 75% of the Earth is covered by water, they got that market covered so the next 25% must come from the land itself as they have also cornered the vegetation growing on land. I think they may even be crazy enough to sell Holy Air which you add via compressed canister to all your meals to help triple it’s nutritional content. I can see the headline now “Mannatech Revolutionizes Air and Dirt with proprietary technology that infuses the Holy Spirit in every atom, leading to a total rejuvenation of mind and spirit”.

The Bottom Line

At least people buying overpriced water to put on their skin isn’t going to cause death or serious injury, unlike their sugar pill that some people take instead of sound medical knowledge. This company is a joke, ripping people off all while laughing all the way to the bank.

References
http://news.corporate.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20070405/05apr20070507.html

I have heard of this several times in the media now, former star turned murderer and coward, Chris Benoit was found in a home with his dead 7 year old child and wife. The medias take… STEROIDS DID IT!

He had problems

Although this is a developing story, based on what I read, it seems this guy had problems for a long time. In 2003 his wife filed for divorce, placed a restraining order against him and to say his job is violent is an understatement. So why the focus on steroids?

Steroids did it!

I am getting tired of the media characterizing steroids as causing “roid rage” which can, within an instant, cause a totally normal person to go on a violent killing spree. It doesn’t work that way! Politicians, in their absolute ignorance will jump on this to put even further resources to stop the steroid epidemic from killing other innocent victims. When ever there is a suicide, murder or violence with steroids at the scene, the media instantly link that as the cause and that’s the end of the story. Pushing the myth that this is an extremely dangerous drug when the opposite is true.

What is steroids, what it does and doesn’t do

Steroids is used not only by bodybuilders, it’s used for wasting diseases to help keep a person from totally wasting away (ei: AIDS, Cancer etc. ) but the media seems to think that only bodybuilders use this to build up their incredible physique. From my talks with various steroid users, this “roid rage” is simply a boost of energy when working out. Those who describe this as violent tendencies had them before, no different then an alcoholic blaming a rampage on a bottle of Vodka. Steroids is simply a scape goat used by people to lay blame on something else for their actions and decisions.

Steroids vs Alcohol vs Cocaine

Oddly enough, the FDA is so concerned about the social impact that steroids can have on society that in the United States, it’s classified along the same hard drugs as Cocaine and even Heroin. Put another way, they don’t mid alcohol being advertised and sold to drunk drivers, they don’t mind tobacco being sold which causes cancer but those damn steroids have got to go! Many countries, wrongly, have also banned the use of recreational steroids. Steroids does screw up your hormonal balance and cause grown men to cry like a school girl when they go off, but the impact of a drunk is far worse on society in my opinion. If followed by a doctor, I think steroids are perfectly safe, many men are on hormone replacement therapy and they aren’t out there killing people!

The Bottom Line

Chris is a looser, plain and simple, I can only hope they place blame on HIM and not steroids.

References
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/06/25/wrestler.dead.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Every few months it seems a company proclaims to have invented a product that will change the way everybody in the world does something regarding food acquisition. Gone are the days when a revolution was stumbling on an exotic animal while out hunting or seeing some berries different kind of berries.

What does the ikan do?

Well, this revolutionary product simply scans the UPC Code of the items you are about to throw out (hopefully after you consumed it). Revolutionary? Hardly, I have seen this type of technology for several years, usually accompanied by the latest and greatest fridge to hit the market. What is “sorta” unique is that once you scan something, instead of printing out a ticket (you can do that too btw), it that it adds this product to an online shopping cart automatically. For instance, you eat a can of beans, before throwing out the can, you scan it and now you have an online cart waiting for your money to send you the replacement for the can of beans you just ate. Think of it as a “just in time” inventory management system meets the general public.

Wait… there is more!

Going up the revolutionary scale, this product also understands voice command, as most vegetables and fruits don’t come with a UPC Code, you can simply tell this machine “Carrot” and it will add it to your online shopping list. If it doesn’t recognize it, it sends this word or description (if you don’t know what you ate yourself) to customer service to interpret your food item. This is a patented item by the way, I hope they didn’t patent writing your grocery lists on a piece of paper!

Ah, one more thing… this is environmentally friendly!

Now this feature I find rather unique, never heard of such a thing. The ikan doesn’t only record and add your food item to a shopping cart, it also tells you if the item is recyclable! Yes, if you eat a banana, it will tell you that it can be composted… how is that for redundantly cool! They also claim not buying more then you can eat (duplicate products) will save money and the environment. Although this argument is on very shaky ground, in the next paragraph, ikan says it will send you free samples with your order… which to me seems to defeat the environmentally friendly aspect of this system. I also know a banana is biodegradable and getting useless junk in the mail that ends up being thrown out (product samples) wastes time, energy and resources.

What do you need to get started?

Well, you need a wireless home network set-up, computer with internet access and a valid e-mail.

Is this needed?

Although I can see this being a benefit to those with disabilities, notably the blind, seniors and the disabled who can’t make it to a grocery store on a regular basis, I think this product is just another item that should go into the incinerator. The energy used to keep this item functioning (electricity) and simply in the production of this unit is a waste of environmental resources. It says you end up spending less then 10 minutes grocery shopping because this item does everything for you, but add in the time checking your order, “online shopping” for additional items and the cost of simply shipping the groceries to you and quite frankly, you got a HUGE new source of pollution and wasted time. Is having a plane followed by a truck to deliver your 20$ worth of groceries really smart when you can just walk down the street and get the same item (usually on sale)?

The Bottom Line

Stick to a piece of paper and pencil, it will cost less, be more environmentally friendly and best of all, get you out of the house!

References
http://www.ikan.net/
Buzzvia http://crunchgear.com/2007/06/25/ikan-is-set-to-revolutionize-your-grocery-shopping-experience/#comment-293909