new crowd control tech

[Simon Bar Sinister]

http://www.alternet.org/world/151864/6_creepy_new_weapons_the_police_and_military_use_to_subdue_unarmed_people/

the future is now.

[*Siren*]

This is scary and I see far too much potential for abuse. When we have officers repeatedly zapping unconscious people with tasers until they die, what reason do we have to believe that these devices won't be used for abuse as well?

[Troy Spiral (13)]

This is scary and I see far too much potential for abuse. When we have officers repeatedly zapping unconscious people with tasers until they die, what reason do we have to believe that these devices won't be used for abuse as well?

Its true any technology can be abused, although I wouldn't be so afraid of technology as to want to halt its progress due to that fear. In this particular case I'd rather have a police officer abuse me with a concussion wave gun, than abuse me with a bullet. heh.

On the whole believe it or not society is a lot more ethical than it was say 200 years ago and a TON more ethical than it was 2000 year ago. That is, if we view the progressive increase in the value of human life and the property of others as progress. (Which I hope we do)

[torn asunder]

Its true any technology can be abused, although I wouldn't be so afraid of technology as to want to halt its progress due to that fear. In this particular case I'd rather have a police officer abuse me with a concussion wave gun, than abuse me with a bullet. heh.

On the whole believe it or not society is a lot more ethical than it was say 200 years ago and a TON more ethical than it was 2000 year ago. That is, if we view the progressive increase in the value of human life and the property of others as progress. (Which I hope we do)

seems to me that the idea that the police have non-lethal weapons would make a criminal (or even a righteous protester) feel more emboldened to act out, whereas if people knew all the police had were guns, they'd be less likely to risk death.

but maybe that's just me...

[Destroit]

seems to me that the idea that the police have non-lethal weapons would make a criminal (or even a righteous protester) feel more emboldened to act out, whereas if people knew all the police had were guns, they'd be less likely to risk death.

but maybe that's just me...

I dunno, I'm so afraid of getting tased I'd rather get shot .

[victoriavengeance (1)]

Its true any technology can be abused, although I wouldn't be so afraid of technology as to want to halt its progress due to that fear. In this particular case I'd rather have a police officer abuse me with a concussion wave gun, than abuse me with a bullet. heh.

On the whole believe it or not society is a lot more ethical than it was say 200 years ago and a TON more ethical than it was 2000 year ago. That is, if we view the progressive increase in the value of human life and the property of others as progress. (Which I hope we do)

Unfortunately it is not my personal opinion that everyone, especially some in power, view progressive increase the way that you or I do, Troy. and that is what worries me the most, probably. And the Calmative Agents for Riot Control? Those just make me sick to my stomach.

Dislike. Just shoot me.

[candyman]

Ummm...these have been out for a long while...and they have been using them for a while so someone is off of their game.

I don't see the big fuss. None of these harm the people and I have seen far too many riots and "peaceful" protests where tons of property damage and casualties could have been easily avoided if you had a way to quickly take care of the assholes.

How could you call it wrong if a crowd is dispersed with lasers that only blind you for a short amount of time? Or if you made people feel like they were burning so they had to leave? Or if you overload their auditory or visual senses? Many of these technologies have saved ships from pirates and have kept innocent civilians safe in foreign countries...not all American either in case anyone cares to make a point of that.

The Taser thing could be a question sure...but the others aren't really creepy or evil or anything. And Tear gas is NOT the same as MACE so I don't know where they got that from. If people want to keep the tear gas and baton/taser combo that is riot control today then fine I can live with that idea...if you put yourself in that situation you should know that chances of things happening.

As far as military application THIS IS WHAT WE NEED! How many gate guards have severe mental trauma because of how they have had to defend a gate when instead they could have used a non-lethal machine to keep people at bay. How many embassy riots could have ended peacefully? Declare it creepy if you want because the people that may use it don't give a shit...we can shoot bullets or use equipment it doesn't matter to us as long as the order is given.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

seems to me that the idea that the police have non-lethal weapons would make a criminal (or even a righteous protester) feel more emboldened to act out, whereas if people knew all the police had were guns, they'd be less likely to risk death.

but maybe that's just me...

Thats true if there is a rational mob. Although typically the mob mentality doesn't come from the reasoning part of the brain. (for instance the death penalty in states doesn't correlate with less murders, the theory being people arent "thinking" about it 99% of the time, its emotion based, so they arent weighing the pros and cos)

I can't help but think you at least partially right though.

I dunno, I'm so afraid of getting tased I'd rather get shot .

Unfortunately it is not my personal opinion that everyone, especially some in power, view progressive increase the way that you or I do, Troy. and that is what worries me the most, probably. And the Calmative Agents for Riot Control? Those just make me sick to my stomach.

Dislike. Just shoot me.

I'm not sure I 100% understand what your saying. I think you mean "people in power don't value human life the way you and I do" right?

I'm sure your right in a lot of cases. But, being a history nerd, the abuse of power, corruption and the cultural value placed on human life was a fraction of what it is now, even though there are still really depressing , scary, mean bastards in the world, :mad: there are a lot less of them (at least that get away with it) than there have been historically. Despite the pricks, I view it as a reason to have hope for mankind after all. (although I could be wrong, about everything, always try to keep that in my mind) Mass killings, murder/ arbitrary right of kings / nobles to rape the local women etc are all less common now than they ever were in ages past. (per capita that is)

Which is hard to see over the course of ones lifetime. Our "common sense" fails us in that regard. Common sense/gut feeling/random news stories are generally useless trying to determine long term trends as its based on a single lifetime, to understand really large numbers of people and long periods of time it takes, unfortunately homework. g-d homework!! *shakes fist*