Full Version: Yo, bub, lets use the RAYYYYYY gun.
Now remember, read the title like the villian from "All Dogs Go To Heaven" says it... 
I've been reading about this for some time, but the military has now demonstrated the technology publicly. Yup, good ol' fashioned ray guns. "Set the phasers to stun, Mr. Spock"...
Americans unveil 'people-zapping' weapons
The questions for debate are:
1) Do you think this line of R&D is feasible on a practical level?
2) How long do you think it will be before someone comes up with passive countermeasures against this tech?
3) Do you have any moral reservations regarding this tech?
I've been reading about this for some time, but the military has now demonstrated the technology publicly. Yup, good ol' fashioned ray guns. "Set the phasers to stun, Mr. Spock"...
Americans unveil 'people-zapping' weapons
The US military has unveiled a space age 'non-lethal weapons system' – a ray gun that shoots a beam that makes people feel as if they will catch fire.
The Pentagon claims that the Active Denial System, dubbed "the people zapper", is a harmless way to control rioters or get enemies to drop their weapons.
The Pentagon claims that the Active Denial System, dubbed "the people zapper", is a harmless way to control rioters or get enemies to drop their weapons.
The questions for debate are:
1) Do you think this line of R&D is feasible on a practical level?
2) How long do you think it will be before someone comes up with passive countermeasures against this tech?
3) Do you have any moral reservations regarding this tech?
The questions for debate are:
1) Do you think this line of R&D is feasible on a practical level?
The government has been experimenting with “directed energy weapons” for some time. Most will be high power and used to kill shory and long range missiles. This weapon might be useful in some situations but can be contered.
2) How long do you think it will be before someone comes up with passive countermeasures against this tech?
They exist now. The energy only goes through light clothing. Heavy or reflective clothing – esp. if designed to reflect this particular frequency range would stop it. That said for places like Iraq it could be effective and an alternative to shooting someone.
3) Do you have any moral reservations regarding this tech?
No it is a weapon like most others and certainly less damaging than most of out arsenal. I am not sure how I would feel about this being used inside the US. As a (now obsolete) microwave engineer I think this weapon, if used improperly could damage or destroy the eyes.
1) Do you think this line of R&D is feasible on a practical level?
The government has been experimenting with “directed energy weapons” for some time. Most will be high power and used to kill shory and long range missiles. This weapon might be useful in some situations but can be contered.
2) How long do you think it will be before someone comes up with passive countermeasures against this tech?
They exist now. The energy only goes through light clothing. Heavy or reflective clothing – esp. if designed to reflect this particular frequency range would stop it. That said for places like Iraq it could be effective and an alternative to shooting someone.
3) Do you have any moral reservations regarding this tech?
No it is a weapon like most others and certainly less damaging than most of out arsenal. I am not sure how I would feel about this being used inside the US. As a (now obsolete) microwave engineer I think this weapon, if used improperly could damage or destroy the eyes.
1) Do you think this line of R&D is feasible on a practical level?
Maybe for riots or unstable/aggravated persons.
2) How long do you think it will be before someone comes up with passive countermeasures against this tech?
I am sure it will surface at some point, probably by us of all people.
3) Do you have any moral reservations regarding this tech?
Not really. I am sure various issues will have to be taken into account such as how does it affect existing health conditions if it were to be used in say a riot. Most any technology such as rubber bullets have existing pitfalls such as the fact rubber bullets have a steel core that can be lethal if to close to the target. Chemical agents used as non lethal also can be defeated by the wind of all things also, plus people can pick them up and toss them back at you. Besides that you have people on people combat basically to break a riot or even a protest. If this item could do such without leaving any real damage save for the fear of combustion then I would find it favorable.
The movie soylent green involved dump trucks, I doubt that one to come to bear anytime soon, nor could I see the use of dogs or even elephants. Basically this technology looks as if it can bring about submission without hurting people. This would be great for say areas outside of the U.S in which troops have to engage say an angry populous or what not, and of all things I would rather see this used on our own soil then rubber bullets, gas and batons. I wont however feel safe that this is some end all need defense measure of course, and overall it will probably not express success or be fit for every imaginable application or even work every time when used in one it has a good success rate at.
Maybe for riots or unstable/aggravated persons.
2) How long do you think it will be before someone comes up with passive countermeasures against this tech?
I am sure it will surface at some point, probably by us of all people.
3) Do you have any moral reservations regarding this tech?
Not really. I am sure various issues will have to be taken into account such as how does it affect existing health conditions if it were to be used in say a riot. Most any technology such as rubber bullets have existing pitfalls such as the fact rubber bullets have a steel core that can be lethal if to close to the target. Chemical agents used as non lethal also can be defeated by the wind of all things also, plus people can pick them up and toss them back at you. Besides that you have people on people combat basically to break a riot or even a protest. If this item could do such without leaving any real damage save for the fear of combustion then I would find it favorable.
The movie soylent green involved dump trucks, I doubt that one to come to bear anytime soon, nor could I see the use of dogs or even elephants. Basically this technology looks as if it can bring about submission without hurting people. This would be great for say areas outside of the U.S in which troops have to engage say an angry populous or what not, and of all things I would rather see this used on our own soil then rubber bullets, gas and batons. I wont however feel safe that this is some end all need defense measure of course, and overall it will probably not express success or be fit for every imaginable application or even work every time when used in one it has a good success rate at.
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