Aug 9 2007The Vomiting Flashlight
The Department of Homeland Security is funding research for a flashlight developed by Intelligent Optical Systems for use as a potential nonlethal weapon. According to Robert Lieberman, CEO of the company,
The flashes temporarily blind a person, as any bright light would, and the light pulses, which quickly change both in color and duration, also cause what Lieberman calls psychophysical effects. These effects, whose effectiveness depends on the person, range from disorientation to vertigo to nausea, and wear off in a few minutes.
First of all, I have heard of this new device being considered reminiscent of a lightsaber (hence the picture), but I don't think anything that can't cut an arm off should be in any way compared to a lightsaber. I mean Luke would still have his hand if Darth Vader was attacking with this thing. Hell, he would have probably put his father down right then and there. And another thing - a flashlight weapon? A flashlight is only a weapon if you're physically p4wning someone with it (I recommend a long Maglite). And get this - if someone was flashing this in my direction I would - you'll never guess - turn away (then kick ass)! Thanks but no thanks, I'm sticking to lethal weapons (I like my assailants dead, not pukey).
The Vomiting Flashlight [Technology Review]
Reader Comments
1. courtney - August 9, 2007 12:37 PM
or you could just flash a flashlight in someones eyes and kick em in the privates...a lot cheaper and more fun!!
2. vªnman - August 9, 2007 12:45 PM
If these were inexpensive, you could install them at like a roller disco, roll camera, close eyes, and wait for the funniest thing ever. Or the most sue-able thing ever. Either one.
3. Low Impact Development - August 9, 2007 12:51 PM
You mean these beams of light can't slice off hands?
4. Ruprick - August 9, 2007 1:06 PM
BLLLAAARRRRRRGGHHHHHH
5. KB - August 9, 2007 1:15 PM
keep this in your cabinet in case of accidental poisoning.
6. jennifer - August 9, 2007 1:22 PM
so..... it's basically Preston & Child's Book of the Dead?
7. CAPITALLETTERS - August 9, 2007 1:32 PM
This new writer isn't really up to the job.
8. GayFido - August 9, 2007 1:32 PM
Could you imageine the possibilities??
http://www.gayfido.com/video.php?video_id=0dykGRGzzVA
9. SuperStoned420 - August 9, 2007 1:52 PM
...the idiot brought a VomitTorch to a Gun fight.
10. Hero - August 9, 2007 2:59 PM
The owners of this blog should use the Squeam-O-Beam on whomever is writing todays posts and burn his or her computer to prevent further posting. Maybe amputate their hands to be extra sure. Maybe cook and eat their hands as sign of your committal to the dark lord Melkor. Whatever. Your call.
11. vªnman - August 9, 2007 3:20 PM
Geez, give the guy a moment to settle in.
12. Hero - August 9, 2007 3:35 PM
Ok, but how long do you mean by moment exactly?
13. vªnman - August 9, 2007 4:09 PM
4 days. Business days.
14. CAPITALLETTERS - August 9, 2007 5:49 PM
Seems to have got no better since they started. Pretty cringeworthy, it has to be said. Still, that's what you get when you let a try-hard write rather than someone with genuine opinions.
15. Twinkle - August 9, 2007 6:43 PM
where's the previous writer? i liked him more than the one now. such long posts....
16. spinmunky - August 9, 2007 7:47 PM
reminds me of those "sick sticks" from The Minority Report.
17. Drbendy - August 10, 2007 6:00 AM
Dont say p4wned it makes you sound like a cock. Are you getting paid to write this? you are terrible.
18. ryjdtyjftk - August 10, 2007 12:02 PM
Don't tell the writer what to write. And the words are WRITTEN, not SPOKEN, so WRITING pwned cannot make the writer SOUND like anything, you stupid American.
19. blondi - August 11, 2007 8:38 AM
Using the word "sound" like that is a perfectly valid phrase, douchebag.