[C19fan]

The author is claiming because Americans do not buy fancy toilets like they they have in Japan that is somehow a sign of Americans not adopting the best technology in the world and we will suffer the same fate as Imperial China. Relying on one item is a real stretch. Japan has had fancy toilets for as long as I remember. I do not know how much it costs but I am sure it orders of magnitude more than a basic porcelain model. Also, I do not see these fancy toilets being adopted outside of Japan, say in Europe. So it seems the Occam's Razor answer is there is something in Japan's culture that they like their toilets to be gadgets just like almost everything else in their life, for example, vending machines. It seems the author seems to forget when it comes to electronics and camera equipment, Americans have a long standing huge bias in favor of Japanese brands.

[The Sons of Liberty]

In Switzerland - an advanced Western country, I came across a toilet that was a hole in the floor and two footprints - one to either side. It was utilitarian, but give me my good ole ‘Made in USA’ toilet anyday. BTW, the toilet tissue was similar to corrugated cardboard.

[a fool in paradise]

But that's not their only important feature. For another thing, the seats are heated. Have you ever sat on a heated toilet seat? It is an experience not to be missed.

I try to IGNORE acknowledging the heat when it is a public toilet seat...