An Appropriate Use of Technology?

Several weeks ago, during our family ski trip, someone brought along a radically improved version of an old, ubiquitous novelty product. The mere concept of someone giving the time and energy to "improve" this product was both delightful yet puzzling. With my juvenile sense of humor, it was kind of funny, it also worked, and really well. The product was a self-inflating whoopee cushion. I did a quick search on the web and didn't find the exact one that was brought along, but the one in the link appears to be similar. From the standpoint of societal ethics, I think there are better things talented people could be doing than developing these kinds of things, but there is good that comes from a laugh.