Dumbest Idea of the Year Award

Nissan, in an uncharacteristic fit of stupidity, has designed a new concept car, the URGE:

The Urge has a flip-down, seven-inch monitor so parked motorists can play "Project Gotham Racing 3," an Xbox car racing game, the two companies said today. The Urge's steering wheel, gasoline pedal and brake pedal can control the game's virtual cars, based on models such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

"Project Gotham Racing 3," developed by Bizarre Creations Ltd., allows players to virtually drive the streets of New York, London, Tokyo and Las Vegas and on a German test track

Somebody in Nissan development and marketing thought this was a good idea?!

Let me describe to you what will happen when a bunch of overweight, under-educated, ego-enriched teenaged game hackers get hold of the car. After years of computer gaming, I have some understanding of what passes for thought processes among these squirrelly little bastards.

First, they'll play a game and set up a "ghost" file, essentially a replay of a video race. Then they'll figure out how to hack the system so it replays while they're actually driving the car. Next, they'll go try to race against their "virtual" car in the real world location. Results: 1) CRASH. 2) One dead hacker squirrel. 3) Huge negligent death lawsuit against Nissan.

Mark my words. You'll read the press release in a few years.