Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
Is there a reason there's been practically no significant laser based terrorism? From what I understand IR lasers whose mere reflections can blind instantly are easily available and fairly cheap. Why hasn't there ever been some sort of mass blinding attack?
Is the technical difficulty of an attack like this significantly below building a two-axis gun turret or building a bomb?
If you still need to aim the laser, might as well aim a gun. If you don't need to aim the laser (e.g. you use some clever way to reflect the light onto people, which will cost you in effective range), might as well build a bomb.
All those things almost never happen, because the people with the skills and high agency to do something like that almost universally don't want to.
More options
Context Copy link
There are a number of things that could be done by bad people that are more effective.
A few things prevent this:
-Lots of this stuff is trend based.
-Lots of this stuff is supposed to be showy, certain things are less so.
-Lots of stuff is enormously more impactful than what we normally see, but everyone who is aware of those options doesn't publicize them.
I'm being vague because the idea is not to give anyone any ideas.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link