"Very cool. Now if we could just get Dusty to override bad architectural decisions..."

"You're missing some crucial context. The Trump administration gutted 18F and sidelined the U.S. Digital Service — the very teams that had already been modernizing government systems and delivering real results. Direct File alone earned a higher Net Promoter Score than Apple. This wasn't theory — it was quantifiable service improvement.  That's why people are so skeptical of America by Design. It's not bias; it's the reality that the administration fired the country's best civic designers and engineers, then rolled out a site with unreadable flag-background text, bad HTML, no Section 508 compliance, and cringe copywriting. If this is "design excellence," why does it look like a first-semester coding project? For anyone who wants the receipts, read americabydesign.fail. And if you want to understand what real government digital transformation looks like, read Jennifer Pahlka's Recoding America. That book documents how 18F, USDS, and others already proved this work can be done — when political leadership values user-centered design instead of optics. So no, calling out the failures of America by Design isn't "TDS." Its design critique grounded in usability, accessibility, and credibility. A government initiative about design that ignores those principles is just propaganda with a glossy coat."

"I like the idea of it for spaces where the appearance is less an issue (e.g. garage or workshop). It would be much preferable if it had a non-gloss finish or if it could be painted (maybe future colors besides white and gray?). I'm curious if you could still drill holes or tap hanging nails to hang picture frames or light shelving that only goes through gypsum board. Seems like that could be another drawback."

"Nice for showers, less so for drinking."

"Interesting idea. One of the photos does seem to indicate the cable is pretty flexible, which was one concern with the flat design. But not sure I'm their intended customers—I'd probably just keep rolling and unrolling the cable like a fidget toy."

"Wonder if it pops open when you shove oversize objects in the trash bag, which currently, I'll rely on the rigidity of the trash can to help scrunch things into that space."

"Designed more for a zombie apocalypse. Give me a Silky saw or even an Esee knife for cutting/batoning wood, respectively."

"This thing looks like an ergonomic nightmare. Something a first year ID student would cook up. The knobs inside the frame? Probably not pleasant to turn. The crank handle that scrapes against the other hand holding onto it? I'll pass."

"Wasn't this the bartender in the Fifth Element?But I agree the "uhs" come across as an affectation that's more distracting than helpful."

"Some quick napkin math...A 1200-watt solar panel will produce 1200 watts/hr in ideal sun conditions. For something like a Tesla X, which has a battery capacity of 100kWh, it would take almost 6 hours to charge to get the 20 miles of charging capacity (again, under ideal sun conditions).Seems more like a very expensive extra can of gasoline to carry around on the roof of the car but maybe for some it's a nice way to not worry about those last few miles if they have the time to spare."

"Interesting idea. I'd be curious if more wood is needed for a structure using traditional construction techniques. And is it structurally as stable? Also, is it actually solving a problem that exists? Are homes with wooden frames torn down and wood thrown out that often?"

"It looks like it would work with paper towels hanging off a fridge or above some countertops in the kitchen as well."