An IT Question: Disappearing Car Doors and the Theory of Negativity

Liz Strauss has called me an SOB.  I actually find that very flattering since it doesn't mean what it usually means (which according to Wikipedia is actually quite a few things).  Anyway because of this I try to faithfully check out her weekly listing of new SOBs she's found.  This week iDunzo.com was one and I was floored by the post that happened to be the most current one.  It seems a company called JaTech has developed a disappearing car door - that's right it disappears.  Check out the video.

When I Googled this I was even more floored by the reactions to this new technology.  Most of them were overwhelmingly positive expressing the same amazement that I felt.  However, I was caught off guard by the reaction of some who couldn't help but dwell on problems and issues.

Some examples:

• "It's a cute novelty for people with too much money on their hands, I suppose. I have my doubt about how safe it is in an accident: how would you open it when the electrics are broken? Or when any of the parts of the door is bent and won't fold in any more?
  
  I'm also not convinced this will last very long before breaking down." by Bug Muldoon in a comment on Snopes.com
• "It's not new. [emphasis added]Ford had this on a model car a while back.. it was on a model from 84 I think. However, there were some safety issues with the attempt to make the door light enough to be moved with the hydraulics. But now the less, and awesome concept."  -comment by Tetherwind on Broadbandreports.com
• "Truly this is a wonderful and interesting concept! Now, show me how one of these JaTech disappearing door equipped vehicles fairs out when broadsided by 5,500+ lb SUV. Or after barrel rolling several times into a ditch. I see no evidence of any reinforced door guard beams, additional occupant containment measures, anti-intrusion protection sills or supplemental inflatable restraints. Not to mention how poor this idea is in inclement weather. If you can show me one of these vehicles that meets or surpasses an industry standardized 5 star side impact crash test, then we'll talk. I doubt if this wil ever become marketable on anything more than showcars until such concerns are addressed. For now I'll stick with my very rigidly designed (albeit antiquated) hinged and sliding doors on my minivans and cars. Closed Opened" - comment by NC2K on StumbleUpon.com
• "Seems like an excellent idea, but what does it do for the rigidity of the chassis?" - comment by Ruggerroy on StumbleUpon.com

As I mentioned most of the comments were positive either expressing amazement or pointing out how this could be beneficial for people with handicaps or making getting in and out of tight parking spots easier.  I'm not trying to pick a fight with any of these commenters and agree that what they say is probably true.  I also agree that heatlthy skepticism is integral to the development process.  However, if we start out only focusing on the problems we will never move forward.

What I'm getting to in my long-winded fashion is that some people can't seem to resist pointing out problems when presented with new concepts.  Rather than asking how we can use this, their first impulse is to explain why it won't work or it was tried before and failed (see Tetherwind's comments).

Since we are in the technology business and must often present new technologies and concepts my question is -

"How do you handle situations where people only see the negative side of a new technology?  How do you move the conversation on to what is possible or how can we make this work rather than why it isn't possible or why it won't work?"

"Help" photo by Cobber99

Got a question you'd like me to post for future discussion?  Email it to me using the "Email Mike" link in the left hand column.

If this topic was of interest, you might also like the other posts in the IT Question category.