Futurama - The Washington Post profiles Metro's flirtation with the automated lifestyle of tomorrow. No, not a suicide booth but instead a self-cleaning public toilet. Apparently this is a big deal to some people. I suppose it's nice to have these things around, but certainly don't plan to make a habit of using them.

On the other hand, I would like to see more Redboxes -- a space-age convenience "store" concept, from McDonald's of all people. The first of these Euro-trendy vending machines was set up locally in Adams-Morgan and they're popping up all around now. Here's the WaPo explainer (courtesy of Mindfully.org). Even Metro is considering installing them, although it's not at all clear that Redbox and Metro would get along, considering the transit police's zero-tolerance of McDonald's food in the subway.