• This Laser Reportedly Can Instantly, Remotely Scan You For Drugs or Explosives
    114 replies, posted
[QUOTE]That inconspicuous brown box above is reportedly a new kind of laser-based molecular scanner that can collect spectroscopic information from more than 150 feet away. It can instantly probe your clothing and luggage for chemical traces of anything--explosives, drugs, biological matter--and you will never even know it. So says Gizmodo in a mildly terrifying piece posted this morning about Genia Photonics’ laser scanning device, contracted by an entity called In-Q-Tel, which is basically a group of private technology incubators working for the CIA. The idea, reportedly, is to install this molecular scanner in airports and border crossings and the like, where it can deliver instantaneous (it analyzes in just 50 picoseconds) spectroscopic analysis of people and cargo from a distance--and likely from an unseen location. Authorities could scan everyone passing through an airport terminal, sports stadium, or customs check. Or it could scan everyone simply walking down a street. It’s supposedly portable, so it could be deployed anywhere from far enough away that the subject wouldn’t have to know about it. Reports Gizmodo's anonymous author: “The small, inconspicuous machine is attached to a computer running a program that will show the information in real time, from trace amounts of cocaine on your dollar bills to gunpowder residue on your shoes. Forget trying to sneak a bottle of water past security—they will be able to tell what you had for breakfast in an instant while you're walking down the hallway.” DHS says the technology will be ready for deployment in just one or two years. You can practically hear the privacy rights groups gathering their pitchforks for this one. Much more on this technology over at Gizmodo. [img]http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/original.jpeg[/img][/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-07/laser-can-instantly-scan-you-anything-and-you-would-never-know-it[/url]
Oh yeah, totally want that pointed at me! /sarcasm
I have no problem if these things get installed, less invasive probes/strip downs and stuff.
[QUOTE=krazipanda;36714574]I have no problem if these things get installed, less invasive probes/strip downs and stuff.[/QUOTE] So because it's not someone sticking their fingers into you, it's less invasive? I'm being probed either way, it's not less invasive, it's just less obvious.
Haha. This is actually kinda cool, and with any luck will actually HELP our privacy problems in airports.
That's pretty amazing, if it works.
I think this device is just way too invasive, and they can pretty much put one on every corner of the street and scan for any illegal substances. Hello police state! Also, imagine that I legally smoke some weed here in The Netherlands and then take a trip to the USA a few hours later. Instant trouble.
This laser reportedly can instantly, remotely scan you for drugs or explosives. The side effects, however, are death.
Does this constitute a search? Would a warrant/consent be required?
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;36714621]So because it's not someone sticking their fingers into you, it's less invasive? I'm being probed either way, it's not less invasive, it's just less obvious.[/QUOTE] How is it a big deal? They got machine that do this already, they're just highly ineffective due to lack of range and you have to physically go though a machine. I don't see a laser being invasive, police use lasers to detect speed and people don't cry about it being invasive. Because it isn't invasive imo.
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;36714621]So because it's not someone sticking their fingers into you, it's less invasive? I'm being probed either way, it's not less invasive, it's just less obvious.[/QUOTE] It's totally less invasive, it's a laser on the ceiling that can tell if you are covered in c4. It does not see your ass, breasts, or anything else that you wouldn't want it to. It can only sense if you are carrying a bomb or drugs.
[QUOTE=MR-X;36714705]How is it a big deal? They got machine that do this already, they're just highly ineffective due to lack of range and you have to physically go though a machine. I don't see a laser being invasive, police use lasers to detect speed and people don't cry about it being invasive. Because it isn't invasive imo.[/QUOTE] I don't see how a highly portable particle detector that works at great range isn't "Invasive". It doesn't have to be in my face for it to be invading my space. If this thing is on the street, then there's a huge problem being brought up, if it's used in an airport for security measures, I can see it being okay there but that's not where it'll stop.
[QUOTE=MR-X;36714705]How is it a big deal? They got machine that do this already, they're just highly ineffective due to lack of range and you have to physically go though a machine. I don't see a laser being invasive, police use lasers to detect speed and people don't cry about it being invasive. Because it isn't invasive imo.[/QUOTE] A vehicle isn't your person.
[QUOTE=krazipanda;36714726]It's totally less invasive, it's a laser on the ceiling that can tell if you are covered in c4. It does not see your ass, breasts, or anything else that you wouldn't want it to. It can only sense if you are carrying a bomb or drugs.[/QUOTE] They say this thing is mobile, and that it can detect almost anything on you. Why is it a stretch of the imagination to some of you that this is going to be abused outside of where they're telling you they'll use it?
The only people who should be worried are stoners.
[QUOTE=Chernarus;36714764]The only people who should be worried are stoners.[/QUOTE] Oh those deadly stoners, they've gotta be on the look out for the cops cause of all those dead bodies those stoners smoked. stoners are dangerous right? they deserve to be fucked over right?
[QUOTE=Chernarus;36714764]The only people who should be worried are stoners.[/QUOTE] "If you're not guilty, you shouldn't fear being searched"
I like this but at the same time it worries me. What else are they gonna invent next to search you? At least, this will hopefully reduce the need for some dude's finger in peoples' asses. I'm fine with this as long as it's only kept in airports. Anywhere else is where I'd get worried
And now we will never hear about it again for another 10 or 15 years.
[QUOTE=maurits150;36714670] Also, imagine that I legally smoke some weed here in The Netherlands and then take a trip to the USA a few hours later. Instant trouble.[/QUOTE] Sniffer dogs would pretty much do the same thing, which is basically what this is, a hi tech sniffer dog.
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;36714727]I don't see how a highly portable particle detector that works at great range isn't "Invasive". It doesn't have to be in my face for it to be invading my space. If this thing is on the street, then there's a huge problem being brought up, if it's used in an airport for security measures, I can see it being okay there but that's not where it'll stop.[/QUOTE] Then lock yourself in your home if you don't want people to "invade" your space in a public area.
hmm gizmodo as original source being reported by popsci also an anonymous author over at the gizsuxo
[QUOTE=MR-X;36715450]Then lock yourself in your home if you don't want people to "invade" your space in a public area.[/QUOTE] I shouldn't be liable to have my entire body searched at any second for anything the moment I step off my own property which is just about impossible for the majority of the populace: job, groceries, etc. [editline]10th July 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=LordCrypto;36715476]hmm gizmodo as original source being reported by popsci also an anonymous author over at the gizsuxo[/QUOTE] Thus why I added "reportedly" in the title.
As long as there are no health related side-effects to the laser based scanning, and is used for picking up illegal stuff, who cares, bring it on. Im all up for drug/bomb eradication.
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;36714621]So because it's not someone sticking their fingers into you, it's less invasive? I'm being probed either way, it's not less invasive, it's just less obvious.[/QUOTE] it's a laser versus a guy sticking his fingers inside you i'd say yes, it is less invasive
[QUOTE=joost1120;36714674]This laser reportedly can instantly, remotely scan you for drugs or explosives. The side effects, however, are death.[/QUOTE] im imagining a airport security guard like shooting the laser and turning the guy it was aimed at into ash. and he walks over and pulls a small bag of weed out the ash and is like "goooooooot it".
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;36714621]So because it's not someone sticking their fingers into you, it's less invasive? I'm being probed either way, it's not less invasive, it's just less obvious.[/QUOTE] You can opt to get groped by the TSA then. Fuck that shit. I'll take a laser being shot at me over someone touching me.
I secretly hoped that they would have tested me and told me I tested positive for explosive residue at the airport when I got basic while dressed in my ACU's so I could respond, "WELL NO FUCKING SHIT!"
This is nowhere near as invasive as current technology is. It literally only outputs whether you've handled something or not. If you are afraid of that you have problems. And to the argument that says "Look where this will lead". Where this could possible lead is already out there. It can't get any worse.
I would imagine if these were going to be put into use, they would be fine-tuned to where it only searches a single person and they would only be able to be used in certain situations due to privacy and search laws.
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