Earlier this year, Power Balance admitted that its wristbands, which it purported would increase one's strength, balance, and flexibility, instead did nothing. This came as a confusing and devastating blow to athletes everywhere, who credited the magic in the wristbands with helping them succeed, and who now suddenly have nowhere else to turn for answers other than their own abilities.



It feels like there's a lesson in there somewhere.

Sadly, Power Balance is only one company that got caught among hundreds that are also throwing shrink-wrapped bullshit at the ignorance and insecurity of consumers. No one is willing to believe a product doesn't work until science discredits it, and science is already too busy with cancer and hoverboards. But with any luck, the exposure of those bracelets will act as a harbinger for greater consumer skepticism throughout 2011. In such a case, I predict the following five products will fall as well. If you happen to read this article in 2012 and you have no idea what these are, then I'd like to hereby announce myself as a prophet. Also, congratulations on not dying in that Mayan disaster -- those guys didn't know what the hell they were talking about.