Friday Sprog Blogging (excess content!): design issues.

This morning, the Free-Ride family heard the news that McDonald's had finally capitulated to hedgehog campaigners and redesigned the container for its McFlurry ice cream so that it is no longer a hedgie death-trap.

Elder offspring: What was the problem?

Dr. Free-Ride's better half: The hedgehogs would find the containers and push their heads in to lick the sweet leftover ice cream, but then they would get stuck --

Younger offspring: I don't think ice cream is good for hedgehogs.

Dr. Free-Ride's better half: -- and because they couldn't get back out, they'd starve to death.

Elder offspring: Maybe they wouldn't starve if there was enough leftover ice cream stil in the container.

Dr. Free-Ride's better half: Anyway, to keep the hedgehogs from getting stuck, they made a new container with an opening that's too narrow for the hedgehogs to get into.

Younger offspring: They could still get their tongues in.

Elder offspring: Not as far as an anteater could.

Dr. Free-Ride's better half: You know, if the leftover ice cream attracted ants, that would make a very tasty treat for the anteaters!

Dr. Free-Ride: Are there many anteaters roaming the British countryside?

Younger offspring: The opening is too small for the anteaters to get in and get stuck, right?

Elder offspring: Right.

Dr. Free-Ride: What gets me is how it's easier to redesign a product container than it is to train McDonald's customers to throw away their rubbish properly.

More like this

Sonic! Oh my God! Speak to me, Sonic!

By Heathcliff (not verified) on 01 Sep 2006 #permalink