These magnetic beads drive us crazy
11.12.2019
Neoballs are small, coloured balls that are magnetic. With a little skill and creativity, they can be used to create works of art. Nati and I tried our hand at it and despaired.
The story of the magnetic beads began in the USA in 2009 and almost ended there. They were banned in 2012 because small children were swallowing them. If the magnetic beads get stuck in the stomach or intestines, this can lead to internal injuries. Neoballs were and are not toys for small children. The manufacturers fought back and were proved right in 2016. The court ruling was overturned and the balls have been legally on sale again ever since.
Meditative playing around with frustration potential
Because the spheres are magnetic, the shapes you can build are limited. For example, despite the instructions, it took me a good quarter of an hour to build a hollow sphere made of 65 magnets. The wrong spheres kept attracting each other. The potential for frustration is great, as is the potential for addiction. After an afternoon, I was able to rebuild smaller models without any problems. Practice makes perfect.
On the other hand, I threw my playmate Natalie in at the deep end in the video. That's nasty, of course. Because my ambition got the better of me, I was still more frustrated than her in the end...
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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