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[alex2003@universeodon.com]

@qurlyjoe 20K dollar worth wheelchair? What kind of wheelchair is it, with the turbo jet modification?

[bzdev@fosstodon.org]

@qurlyjoe The claim (with no citation) that a robotics team burned down an insurance company's headquarters sounded a bit off, so I tried a search and found the following article (age and wheelchair costs match up, but the robotics team built a wheelchair by using parts from a toy electric car):

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/437225-high-school-robotics-team-builds-electric-wheelchair-for-2-year/

[glc@mastodon.online]

@bzdev @qurlyjoe

I believe they're just posting what would actually have been heartwarming, rather than donating significant unpaid labor to a corporation's profit margin.

The idea behind it is that systemic problems call for systemic solutions, though perhaps not clearly articulated.

[qurlyjoe@mstdn.social]

@bzdev
Mine was funnier.

[qurlyjoe@mstdn.social]

@glc
I suppose it’s a win-win-win. Kid gets a wheelchair *yay*, students get cool experience *yay*, some insurance asshole probably gets a bonus *fuck them*.

@bzdev

[mndflayr@metalhead.club]

@qurlyjoe @bzdev

Funnier AND a more sustainable solution.

[linuxandyarn@hachyderm.io]

@qurlyjoe Nice, but I'm also going to take huge exception to a company charging 20k for a wheelchair for a toddler.

[selvari21106@mastodon.social]

@Andres4NY @alex2003 @qurlyjoe bloody f*cking hell

[malassettre@infosec.exchange]

@qurlyjoe @bzdev Oh, yes it was. On so many levels.

[alex2003@universeodon.com]

@Andres4NY @qurlyjoe Morality has left the chat. That sounds like a nonsense, but I pretty sure you're talking truth. Why everything is so messed up in US?

[mcwabbit@tenforward.social]

@qurlyjoe I read this with the uppity beat whistle tune in my head…

[qurlyjoe@mstdn.social]

@alex2003
A simplistic answer: rampant capitalism.

@Andres4NY

[duncan_blues@norden.social]

@alex2003 @qurlyjoe
Rule of thumb: if it's got a "medical" tag on it, the price tag automatically quadruples.

[farah@beige.party]

@qurlyjoe Heartwarming and handwarming!

[oohokaykay@beige.party]

@alex2003 @qurlyjoe
My friend's chair, an adult, was $35,000. Will likely last her 10years before having to be replaced.

[annaspanner@bookstodon.com]

@qurlyjoe @alex2003 @Andres4NY yeah powered, sophisticated wheelchairs can cost that much here too (UK)

[nobletrout@infosec.exchange]

@Andres4NY @alex2003 @qurlyjoe reminder: this is why "not a wheelchair" exists

https://notawheelchair.com/

[alex2003@universeodon.com]

@nobletrout @Andres4NY @qurlyjoe In a healthy world that would be the price for an exoskeleton for disabled people. Turns out, exoskeletons are also pretty often used in a healthcare fields which seems more promising. I think humanity should change their mind on creating stupid robots and instead do something truly useful technology that complements humans physical insufficiency.