Katie: "Invention Of The Century"?

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Culture Watch

(CBS)

Sometimes the answers to life's most complex problems are the most simple. We found that out when common aspirin was discovered to be a highly effective treatment for heart disease, stroke, colitis, and a host of other ailments.

Recently, it was learned that a procedure as ancient and as available as infant circumcision was, in fact, a powerful tool in the fight against AIDS, especially in Africa.

Another example of this "triumph of the simple" has emerged with the invention of something called "LifeStraw" by Danish Clothing manufacturer, Mikkel Frandsen. It has been called the Best Invention of the Year, the Invention of the Century, and the Europe's Best Invention. Forbes Magazine calls it one of the Ten Things That Will Change The Way We Live.

And what is this incredible breakthrough that has the potential to provide drinkable water for the 1.1 billion people in the world who live without it and to save 6000 lives each year?

It's a straw.

A drinking straw containing filters, iodine, and carbon. All at a cost of $3.00 a year per person, but that cost will undoubtedly come down. In Sub Sahara Africa the "LifeStraw" has the potential to change entire societies.

The purity and simplicity of these solutions speaks volumes. That which we search for may already be right under our noses, in our pockets, or among our children's toys. As we go about trying to discover "the next big thing" we should remember to first simply look around us before looking at the stars or into a microscope.

Which reminds me. I've got to renew my subscription to "Real Simple."

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by petersemkiw June 14, 2007 2:16 PM EDT: Dear Katie,
I saw the Lifestraw being presented at an Expo exhibit at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC, by the Danish manufacturers of the Lifestraw. I was surprised to see how many people attended the exhibit, but learning about the great health care and lifesaving benefits it will provide to the peoples of Sub Saharan Africa by providing clean drinking water, it's no wonder there were so many people in attendance with so many questions.

It's a simple invention, but the Lifestraw's benefits are profound. I have two inventions in development with a company now, and one of them is health related, too. I would like to tell you more about them, but the company has put my products under security, and will not allow me to talk about the products until they are patented. The concept that you mention of keeping ideas or inventions relatively simple and not making things too complex is one that I have heard as I developed my products,too. I believe I heard it mentioned on the weekly show the" American Inventor" as well. Although a product idea can be simple, if it fills a great need in the world, it can even be lifesaving and beneficial to millions. The Lifestraw is an excellent example of this, and it is no wonder it has been called the Invention of the Year and even the Invention of the Century by some. So next time you have a good idea, be sure to write it down and do something about it! And keep up your great work,Katie,on the CBS Evening News, Peter; Reply to this comment


by andr0med4 June 14, 2007 9:12 AM EDT: "Recently, it was learned that a procedure as ancient and as available as infant circumcision was, in fact, a powerful tool in the fight against AIDS, especially in Africa."

can you think of any other prophylactic procedure in western medicine that involves surgical amputation of healthy body parts from helpless, unconsenting subjects? i doubt it. even if (unlike circumcision) it's benefits were uncontroversial, it would be well outside ethical boundaries.

and how about this little boy? http://www.canada.com/cityguides/ottawa/story.html?id=cb3b8281-4134-46ba-85d3-b076072bda75&k=25810

did he benefit from your simple minded arrogance?

sheesh.; Reply to this comment


by tlctugger June 14, 2007 4:01 AM EDT: infant circumcision was, in fact, a powerful tool in the fight against AIDS

NONSENSE! It only seems that way because you and other journalists FAILED to ask basic questions.

The Kenya/Uganda researchers only claimed an effect for ADULT voluntary circumcision and ONLY in places where the epidemic is like ten times worse than in the US.

Their studies were seriously flawed. NONE was carried to the agreed protocol duration, which exaggerated the effect of the freshly cut men%u2019s post-surgical abstinence period and the problem of not being able to detect HIV sometimes until MONTHS after infection. What they call success is this: the African men circumcised for these human amputation trials GOT AIDS at a rate SIX TIMES HIGHER than the rate of new infection for African-American men. The HIV+ cut men were MORE likely than their HIV intact counterparts to transmit the virus to an HIV- partner.

The researchers will never be able explain how 90% of the half-million US men who have died of AIDS were circumcised at birth (yet somehow contracted HIV). AIDS is as rare in non-cutting Japan as it is in 95%-cut Israel. In Cameroon, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, and Tanzania, AIDS is markedly more prevalent among the circumcised. African boys who had not yet had *** were found to be MORE likely to already have AIDS if they had been circumcised.

Circumcision does not prevent AIDS.

It costs the UN just 3 cents to give away a condom.; Reply to this comment


by phoenixandy June 14, 2007 12:05 AM EDT: johncoppa, people like you are part of the problem and not the solution. Katie Couric has dumbed down the evening news and her choice of Paris Hilton's crying in court as the top story says everything about her. If you think Katie Couric has true talent, then you also watch the Fox News Channel and read the New York Post.

Fire Katie Couric. Bring back Bob Schiefer.; Reply to this comment


by vthokiemba June 13, 2007 11:23 PM EDT: "Recently, it was learned that a procedure as ancient and as available as infant circumcision was, in fact, a powerful tool in the fight against AIDS, especially in Africa."

No. Researchers found that voluntary, adult male circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection. Voluntary, adult male circumcision is different than forcing circumcision on an infant male, both physically and ethically. You are a journalist. Do not present misinformation as fact.; Reply to this comment


by johncoppa June 13, 2007 11:05 PM EDT: I am sick of people bashing poor Katie. We need to lighten up and give her a chance. What I would like to know is what did she pick for her ending words... She never read them.

I love her, but if she wants to be successful, she needs to be herself and not what every other stuffy news anchor expects. She can make a difference and broadcast the news as she is.
The biggest mistake she made, was succumbing to the botox and the dress code that CBS demands! Let her be! She does not even need to work! This is a person with true talent.
I would say that this country is making it very hard for her, as she is the first female to pave the way for woman in broad casting! Look out Hillary!!! I would say that most of us know that where there is a successful man, there is a woman in the background... Good for Katie!; Reply to this comment

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