- Joined
- Feb 7, 2009
- Messages
- 201
- Points
- 0
Okay, I hate to be the voice of dissent here (actually, it's in my nature. See username. . .) BUT,
It seems to me that we are on a very slippery slope regarding these diodes and the lasers we can build with them. Do they have the potential to be uncommonly dangerous, as far as lasers go? Sure. Here's the catch fellas; the WORLD is dangerous. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that some dumbass kid gets a hold of one of these lasers and manages to burn or blind himself, or worse, someone else. I can pretty much guarantee mass media coverage of the event, Million Mom Marches against lasers, the sudden need for the "reasonable restriction" of these dangerous devices, etc.
Now, if the same kid burns himself with a Bic lighter, or blows his hand off with a firecracker, or blinds his friend with the toilet bowl cleaner that's stashed under pretty much every kitchen sink in America, guess what? Ho hum. A thirty second spot on the morning news. Forgotten by next Thursday.
Why the difference? Because the laser is NEW. It's unknown, and therefore scary. People don't like scary. However, since they're quite familiar with their Bic lighters and the hydrochloric acid-based cleaner that really cuts through that tough grime, they're willing to keep them around.
I suppose my point is, there's really nothing you can do to stop someone from getting harmed with one of these lasers. At some point, someone WILL tag themself in the eye (in the best case scenario,) or get burned. We can only hope that they recognize it to be their own dumbass fault and not make a stink about it.
All you are doing with your "reasonable restrictions" and age limits and demands to see a pic of eyeware and calls to Casio is adding fuel to the firestorm that WILL engulf us if and when these ever hit the public eye (no pun intended.) The media will come to LPF, and see you crowing on about how we need to restrict these, and they'll say "See! Even the guys that build these things think they should be restricted!"
I'd also like to say that entirely too much time, effort, and money goes into protecting people from their own stupidity. We've killed Darwin, and our society is growing stagnant as a result.
Educate, don't restrict. The world will cut our throats soon enough. No need to help it along.
It seems to me that we are on a very slippery slope regarding these diodes and the lasers we can build with them. Do they have the potential to be uncommonly dangerous, as far as lasers go? Sure. Here's the catch fellas; the WORLD is dangerous. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that some dumbass kid gets a hold of one of these lasers and manages to burn or blind himself, or worse, someone else. I can pretty much guarantee mass media coverage of the event, Million Mom Marches against lasers, the sudden need for the "reasonable restriction" of these dangerous devices, etc.
Now, if the same kid burns himself with a Bic lighter, or blows his hand off with a firecracker, or blinds his friend with the toilet bowl cleaner that's stashed under pretty much every kitchen sink in America, guess what? Ho hum. A thirty second spot on the morning news. Forgotten by next Thursday.
Why the difference? Because the laser is NEW. It's unknown, and therefore scary. People don't like scary. However, since they're quite familiar with their Bic lighters and the hydrochloric acid-based cleaner that really cuts through that tough grime, they're willing to keep them around.
I suppose my point is, there's really nothing you can do to stop someone from getting harmed with one of these lasers. At some point, someone WILL tag themself in the eye (in the best case scenario,) or get burned. We can only hope that they recognize it to be their own dumbass fault and not make a stink about it.
All you are doing with your "reasonable restrictions" and age limits and demands to see a pic of eyeware and calls to Casio is adding fuel to the firestorm that WILL engulf us if and when these ever hit the public eye (no pun intended.) The media will come to LPF, and see you crowing on about how we need to restrict these, and they'll say "See! Even the guys that build these things think they should be restricted!"
I'd also like to say that entirely too much time, effort, and money goes into protecting people from their own stupidity. We've killed Darwin, and our society is growing stagnant as a result.
Educate, don't restrict. The world will cut our throats soon enough. No need to help it along.
Last edited:
Too many people see stuff on youtube and say "I want to do this!" and go forth. Heck I seen videos titled "What not to do with green lasers" of a guy showing off a 200+mw green laser, pointing it at his face in the mirror. I relies these 445nm diodes are far stronger.
