6 Popular 'Miracle' Products That Are Actually Duds

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/6-miracle-products-are-really-duds



1. Amish Fireplaces. The Amish have long been a source of wonder and admiration from the rest of America. They’re an uncomplicated community, eschewing industrialization and the entrapments of the modern lifestyle. So, a few years back, when the Amish rolled out a fireless fireplace that was declared a technological revolution that would slash home-heating bills, the wonder increased. After all, this “miracle idea” earned Good Housekeeping magazine’s lauded Seal of Approval,” so it’s got to be great, right? Not so fast.

***SNIP


2. The Fuel Doctor gas saver. The high price of fuel is constantly on the minds of drivers, and this has spawned several gas-saving devices marketed through infomercials, on the Internet, or at the convenience stores that dot our interstate highways. These products typically sell from anywhere between $20 and $250. And they’re all a big waste of money.


***SNIP

3. Shake Weights. Back in 2009, Shake Weights became a national phenomenon based almost solely on its campy commercials. The novelty of the product — and its commercials — inspired countless Internet parodies and plenty of chatter on television news and talk shows. Originally marketed as an exercise device for women, the original Shake Weight is a 2.5 pound weight that compresses and pulsates as you shake it back and forth (a 5-pound weight for men came out several months later), purportedly increasing the effects of exercise.

***SNIP

4. Green Coffee. Famously touted as being a “miracle” weight-loss supplement by Dr. Oz on his eponymous health-advice talk show, there is no evidence that green coffee does anything to promote weight loss.

[MADem]

1. Ohhhh, noooooo.....! Not the ...SHAKE WEIGHT!!!!

That thing has been useful for more "sight gags" in the past few years than anyone can shake a stick at...

This might be "NSFW" for those with dirty minds...

[surrealAmerican]

2. For people whose browsers have trouble with this link:

... numbers 5 and 6 are baby vocabulary builders and ear candles.