How do I know?
Easy.
They ran a story that contains, among other things, this text:
Always out on the cutting edge of technology, those early-adopters at Google Inc. are already comfortably seated on the next digital frontier. Or perhaps just in the next stall. The noted Internet search engine has recently installed digital toilets at its Mountain View offices, co-founder Larry Page disclosed to a gathering of the Churchill Club networking group in San Francisco this month.
It goes on for quite a bit longer to talk about Google toilets and restroom facilities.
What on earth makes them think the larger world gives a shit about how Google employees give a shit?
Whatever.
If you're really fascinated with high-tech toilets, go spend a week in Tokyo. It's easier than getting a job at Google.
Posted by jzawodn at December 15, 2003 11:52 AM
Well, what's new at Yahoo?
BTW, just how hard is it to get a job at Google?
7 years to get a PHD = $500,000
Suite, shoes, 3 flights to Google = $10,000
Having your over inflated ego burst by google = priceless
Worst of all, once again they're stealing already existing ideas.
What I really want to know is how many people at Google spend long enough in the can for this to be a really good idea. (Maybe they should cut back on the second courses at the gourmet lunch line)
I guess they probably don't have air fresheners, fans, etc. in said restrooms since I'm sure Googilians (and probably Yahooligians too) don't think their shit stinks?
So when they're having trouble going, they can do a google search for pictures of people taking a dump for inspiration? An interesting solution...
They probably just load up that goatse.cx URL the slashdorks talk about so much.
Despite the high-tech stereotypes, the average Japanese toilet looks more like this:
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~AD8Y-HYS/kitanai_e.htm
When I am abroad, I always judge a country by the quality of toilet facilities. By that standard, Japan ranks extremely low. I was appalled to read statistics that only about 30% of all Japanese homes have a connection to a public sewer. Septic tanks are illegal, you have to have the "honey wagon" empty your tank once a month. Oh I could write a book about the horrors of Japanese toilets. I lived in one place that I had to carry a bucket of water into the bathroom so I could flush.
Digital toilet? Can't help but wonder...what's a digital dump sound like...a Google bugle!?
Centrino laptops...digital toilets...does life get any better?
Looks like a promising business opportunity. Lots of helpful information.
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Interesting post! you mentioned adWords by google that made them make a lot of money.
Great list. Septic tanks are illegal, you have to have the honey wagon empty your tank once a month. Oh I could write a book about the horrors of Japanese toilets.
I was appalled to read statistics that only about 30% of all Japanese homes have a connection to a public sewer.
Thanks for this excellent compilation of companies operating in this space.
Looks like a promising business opportunity. Lots of helpful information.
