Steve Levenstein, the Geeky inventor from InventorSpot is here with his witty answers. So, Enjoy!

1. Vikas: Hi Steve, InventorSpot targets “the inventor in all of us”, how has your association with the site satisfied the inventor in YOU?

Steve: I think the most important thing I’ve learned by being part of the InventorSpot team is that there are a LOT of extremely creative people out there! Contrary to my prior beliefs, it’s the “little guys” who are coming up with the best new ideas, not the corporate think tanks. That’s a very good thing!

2. Angela: Steve, I’ve been enjoying your wacky finds at your blog for a long time and they quite reflect the man behind the words. However, tell us three things about you that not many people know?

Steve: Well, let’s see... I can wiggle my ears, I once won a 10-piece stereo system from a radio contest, and I have a trio of small, circular scars on my right thigh that are exactly the same distance apart in a perfectly straight line. Weird, huh?

3. Stephan: Why do all these weird gadgets and products come from Japan? Would you call it creativity or just an attention grabbing gimmick by the geeks over there?

Steve: I don’t think ALL weird products come from Japan, but a LOT sure do! Part of the reason for it is that Japanese people in general are very well educated. Also, the country’s hi-tech infrastructure makes it easier to develop new products and a wealthy consumer base helps even fringe products get sold. Of course, what’s considered “weird” depends on your point of view: a lot of these gadgets seem odd to us but not to the average Japanese.

4. Matt: Steve, you regularly contribute to other sites apart from InventorSpot on diverse topics, like cars at The Driver Magazine. How are you able to shrug off the Japan element and change your “identity” so effortlessly?

Steve: I’m glad it seems effortless, but it really isn’t. When I sit down to write on an automotive topic or a non-Japanese topic for The Thinking Blog, I have to put myself in the frame of mind of the reader; then “talk” to them in my mind. When I feel comfortable having this little virtual conversation, then I can start typing away.

5. Debbie: Steve, Japan seems to churn out robots on a massive scale. Would you love to see robots have all rights we humans enjoy and have one to blog instead of you?

Steve: It’s true that Japan is a world leader in advanced robotics. They have “Robocon” events where teams from high schools and universities build robots which then compete against each other. Would I want a robot to blog instead of me? Only if the robot would be my instrument, and not my replacement!

6. Nandini: If you were to name your five favorite blogs besides InventorSpot, what would they be?

Steve: That’s a tough question because there are so many great blogs out there with new ones coming on line all the time. If I have to narrow it down to just five, they would be (in no particular order):

1). The Thinking Blog - Like its name implies, the topics and discussions really make you think.

2). Dark Roasted Blend - The “coffee table book” of blogs, providing intriguing topics along with a wealth of images.

3). What Japan Thinks - An ingenious blog that posts surveys and graphs that show, not tell, just what Japan thinks.

4). Spluch - Great place to find weird stuff, often including videos.

5). News On Japan - Simply the best source for all kinds of news about Japan, clearly organized and regularly updated. A quality resource I can’t do without!

7. Bharat : Steve do you think, to write about something you have to be familiar with it? If yes, then how did you familiarize yourself to the Japanese products and culture (other than your wife), and for how long had you been in Japan?

Your blog introduction speaks more of Japan than it does of you. If asked, how would you best project yourself, as a gadget geek or a nostalgic Japanese?

Steve: Hi Bharat, as with most things it helps to be as familiar with our topic as possible - that way, you can impart some of your knowledge to others who may be interested. I live in Canada but i’ve visited Japan a number of times - can’t wait to go back! Between my visits, my wife, TV Japan and the Web, i try to stay on top of new trends and products. Am i a gadget geek or a nostalgic Japanese? A little of both, i’d say!

8. Naveen : Did you ever think of blogging about markets other than Japan? If it was not Japan, what would be the next potential country that you would fancy blogging on?

One thing more - I would like to know what, according to you, is the hottest luxury lifestyle trend in Japan?

Steve: Hey Naveen! If i had to choose a country to blog about besides or instead of japan, it would be India. Much like Japan, India today embodies an appealing combination of a rich, ancient culture with a desire to be newer than new. India in many ways seems like Japan in the 1970s... the best is yet to come!

9. Nandini: Can you tell us your views on BornRich & Instablogs Network?

Steve: I really like BornRich, even though browsing the content tends to make me feel poor! The Instablogs Network is a very welcoming place that has an appealing international tone. It’s really special when someone you’ve never met from a land you’ve never been to, contacts you and asks to be your friend!

*RAPID FIRE ROUND*

1. TV shows you hate but your wife loves, so eventually you are forced to watch?

Steve: Usually its one of those makeover shows like “The Swan”, but I have to admit I end up liking them too!

2. Must-have Electronic Gadgets for your Car
a. GPS, b. XM Satellite Radio, c. portable dvd player d. Car Charger, e. Others

Steve: What I really need is a plug-in charger or adapter for my cellphone, since it always seems to run low on juice at just the wrong time. Otherwise, I find gadgets in the car to be just too distracting.

3. Most useless Electronic Gadgets
a. portable dvd player, b. Electronic Toothbrush, c. Watch Calculator, d. Nose Hair Trimmers , e. ipod (after iPhone), f. Other

Steve: Are Nose Hair Trimmers electronic now? My mechanical one works great! As for being useless, Portable DVD Players would top my list.

4. Things you think women spend too much money on
a. Clothes, b. Shoes, c. Makeup, d. Jewelry e. Eating Out f. Other

Steve: That depends on whose money they’re spending, mine or theirs! Seriously though, many of the things women spend money on are to make themselves look more appealing to us guys, so I can’t argue with that.

5. Movies you would love to star in
a.)Star Trek b.) Indiana Jones c.)Starship Troopers d.) Fight Club e.) Any movie with Sean Connery as lead

Steve: Definitely Star Trek, unless they cast me as the crewman in the red shirt who always ends up being killed.

6. Japanese Movies you would love to watch for even the umpteenth time
a.) Battle Royale b.) Ringu c.) Audition d.) Spirited Away e.) Yojimbo f. All or other

Steve: Any pre-1970 Godzilla flick - you just can’t beat that kind of campiness!

7. Three words you would like to be engraved on your tombstone?

Steve: “I’ll Be Back”

8. Best toys from TV shows/Movies/Comics
a. Transformers, b.GI Joe, c.Lightsaber , d.Star Wars Lego Set, e. Others

Steve: My son likes Pokemon toys and cards; they seem to be well-made and can stand up to being played with.

9. Top reasons why you lose your cool
a.Bad Drivers, b. Splogs, c. Blogs stealing your posts without giving you credit, d. Telemarketers e. Answering Bornich Rapid Fire Questions

Steve: Bad Drivers are really frustrating but Telemarketers are the worst. I know they’re just doing their jobs, but why do it at the expense of my free time?

10. Vacation Spots in Canada you love
a. Canadian Rockies, b. Niagara Falls, c. The Ice Hotel, d. Prince Edward Island, e. Churchill Falls , f. Others

Steve: Niagara Falls and the surrounding Wine Country are beautiful, a must-see for anyone visiting Canada!

11. Best James Bond Girl ever
a. Eva Green, b. Halle Berry, c. Ursula Andress , d. Maud Adams, e. Barbara Bach , f.Others

Steve: Ursula Andress, no question. That scene of her emerging from the sea is unforgettable!

We finally, thanks Steve for taking out his time for doing this interview with us and wish him “All the Best” for his future endeavors!107689