The Stake Chair by Russian designer Ton Guglya is one of the most horrifying pieces of furniture I've ever seen. Sure, there's a clear seat on the top keeping your delicate anus away from danger, but do you really trust that thing? This is your anus we're talking about. I'll stick to furniture that isn't based on nightmare-inducing torture devices, thanks. [No Smarties via NotCot.org]

According to Caroline Schneider, assistant airport manager for customer service:

"During the holidays, we have a lot of our novice travelers," she said. "We thought while they are waiting, they can just sing a song."

Oh no no no...not cool. Karaoke can only make things worse. In fact, a man was recently killed in Malaysia because he was hogging the mic. And, naturally, poor singing and frustrated travelers can only lead to more violence. Do you want that on your conscience Bush International Airport? Do ya'? I thought not. [Metro]

I think there might be some sort of political and cultural commentary going on—something about the US and torture and calling it a thrill ride and people paying to see it at a carnival. Anyways! The artist who created the animatronic exhibit, Steve Powers, actually wanted to do a waterboarding exhibit with real people—he'd be waterboarded first, then perform it on a volunteer, who would do it to the next guy and so on. But pseudo-drowning robots is obviously safer, and maybe a touch less controversial—after all, do androids dream of electric freedom? [NYT via BoingBoing]

Test 1: The Key Scratch
The nano is put into a bag with keys, the bag is then tossed around a bit, resulting in a few scratches in the metal but with no damage to the screen. Next the intensity is increased. The bag of keys is rubbed on the nano, resulting in some aluminum damage and click-wheel scratching, though no apparent damage to the back or the screen. Then, as if to prove a point, the PC World host keys the bastard—resulting in some serious scratches on the screen, body and psyche of the nano.

Test 2: The Drop
The nano is dropped roughly 4-5 feet on the concrete and it survives intact. It's then dropped four times in rapid succession in hopes of getting it to spill its secrets, but it does not succumb and works like a charm. Though, the previous keying makes it significantly uglier.

Test 3: The Washing Machine
The nano is thrown into a pair of jeans and then into the wash. The audience is subjected to a few lame "I hope it can swim!" jokes, and then the nano is released. The immediate results—the nano doesn't work. However, PC World performs technological CPR, keeping the nano under a heat lamp until, voila, it breathes again. It also seems to work okay, as everything, both music and video, play fine. Though the LED backlight, or the soul of the nano, sputters out.

The nano is a tough little bastard, and unless you literally take a shiv to it, it'll probably survive a good amount of wear and tear. But what we're waiting to know is, will it blend? [PC World]

Into shocking experiences as a group? Lebedev has also designed a power strip into which you can plug multiple Vilcus units. We're thinking these devices must be commonly used at the Art Lebedev studio, stimulating employees to continue striving to meet that impossible (and continuously floating) deadline for the Optimus Maximus keyboard. Surprisingly enough, this device of questionable sanity is on sale at ThinkGeek for $12.99. Or maybe this is something left over from April Fools' Day.

Product Page [Art.Lebedev Studios, via Think Geek]

If you're a seriously heavy sleeper living in Japan and alarms don't cut it, you can hire this company to send a sadistic gentleman to your bedside in the morning. He can then wake you up in any number of creative and awful ways, including a vacuum cleaner to the face, goo poured on the face, and the ever-popular fireworks next to the pillow. Hey, at least he bows respectfully first.

Is this for real? Any of our Japanese or Nipponophile readers want to clue us in on if this is proof of just how batshit crazy yet amazingly awesome Japan is? Also, creative ideas for additions to this company's repertoire are welcomed and encouraged. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via Pink Tentacle]

Please, don't invite me to any parties where I must somehow solve a puzzle to get to the precious wine. Only the most sadistic hosts would do such a thing. Maybe this puzzle's alternate purpose would be to serve as a sobriety test, to be placed on bottle number three...? – Charlie White

Don't Break the Bottle: sobering parties everywhere [Sci Fi Tech]

Clearly it would have been much cooler if they had stuck in a laptop, but watching trucks run over stuff is probably America's greatest contribution to the history of sport and is therefore always a welcome distraction. – John Biggs

Unbox.it Ceremony of the Otterbox Notebook Case [Unbox.it]