Pillow Talk

While browsing design-milk the other day, I came across this pillow.

The description from the maker’s website says

 “The starting point of designing ‘HUHU’ is for encouraging people to get emotional compensation by using the object. Many people have their unconscious / fidgeting behaviour including chewing nails, shaking legs so on. ‘HUHU’ try to help people to be relaxed by pulling out strings from the inner surface of the cushion to play with them. The end results of unconscious behaviour make ‘HUHU’ beautiful. The name & metaphor ‘HUHU’ comes from the moment of people deep breathing when they relax.” 

At first I thought, I wonder how it’s made? I watched the video, and still am not quite sure of the innards, but it seems interesting.

And then I thought, well, that’s pretty novel. I, personally, still have a hard time not biting my fingers. No idea why. Just a habit that flares up every now and then. Maybe this would help me.

And then I thought…is this just a bandaid? (Albeit a rather expensive one) Why am I, are we as a society, not actually trying to counteract the bad habits vs lull them into submission with a different action? Does this mean we’ll see people walking around town carrying these things because it’s their new security blanket/nervous twitch?

All-around: well-designed, interesting concept. What are your thoughts?