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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Everyone should read this:

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This is an amazing post by FrothyChimp:


Sunglasses reduce VLT across a broad band and often polarize the light that is passed providing glare reduction and better sharpness (dependent on the designed wavelength), so yeah you will see a reduction in brightness. That is the nature of sunglasses. But this in no way provides any kind of protection because you don't know when the lens will fail.

I realize most of the members on this site have no idea what standards are and why they are in place, but they are designed to save your butt, and in this case your eyes. Standards have been devised because people will always do the minimum they think is required to get by so manufacturers have to bear the responsibility, by law, to protect those who would otherwise allow ignorance to rule. It's just another example of the government protecting people from themselves. Unfortunately, those who would choose to injure, maim and kill themselves due to their own ignorance or incompetence, are not allowed to do so in modern societies. It would certainly deepen the gene pool which in today's day and age is much too shallow.

Lasers were never designed to be toys, yet here we are with kids capable purchasing laser pointers rated in the hundreds of milliwatts. It not from a lack of laws. It comes from a premeditated decision by foreign laser companies to cash in on people regardless of the dangers involved despite import restrictions by a country. Yeah, a "light device" on the customs form is an accurate description but funny, the harmonized tariff code is not what is in the box. That is an intentional violation of law designed for one thing, and one thing only: get a laser pointer into the hands of someone so we can profit without regard to safety, training, or the rule of law.

The facts are the facts; they are available. Because the manufacturers could care less if you blind yourself and countries that restrict the import cannot make these companies accountable nor identify all illegal imports, it comes down to the user to operate the systems in a responsible and safe manner. I've said it time and again, part of the responsibility of ownership and the cost of the hobby is to acquire the proper safety equipment so you or someone else doesn't become a statistic and set off a chain of events similar to what has happened in Australia. That is the responsibility you bear in owning a laser. If you cannot live up to that responsibility, you have no business wrecking it for everyone else.

I have no sympathy for anyone who takes a shot to the eye when it can be so easily prevented with the proper safety gear. I hear the famous statement on a regular basis, "but I cannot see the beam." You are not supposed to see the beam if a laser is used in a fashion for which they are designed. The whole idea of laser safety eyewear is to prevent the very light you want to see from reaching your eye. Some systems require visualizing a low intensity beam but they are for alignment purposes only; generally for much more powerful laser systems. Thus you can get safety glasses in low OD which often are perfect for lower power lasers. They are also very inexpensive, comparatively. I'm sorry if some of you cannot afford to purchase a laser and eyewear but that is the point I'm trying to make. If you cannot afford the safety equipment you should not be in the hobby.

I'm sorry if I have been harsh but I cannot stand by, with my background, and education in this industry and let you risk your vision because of hunches or flawed logic. Of course I cannot stop anyone from doing what they will but don't expect any sympathy from me. In fact, expect me to laugh and give you a really good, "I told you so speech."

Oh and here's a little food for thought. Everytime a laser related injury occurs and is treated, it is reported to the FDA (in the U.S. anyway). Those reports provide the impetus for lawmakers to restrict laser sales. Do any of you want to be the final straw that outlaws pointers like in Australia. It was ignorance by bafoons that got pointers banned in Australia. Don't blame the government. Yes, it was a kneejerk reaction but the government's duty is to protect all citizens and it certainly doesn't require a person to kill hundreds of people on an airliner to force a government to act. It will continue to happen around the world as a few idiots continue to spoil it for all. Do what you are supposed to do with a sense of responsibility and it will extend the time you are allowed to own personal laser systems.




Notice the parts in bold, if lasers become banned in the USA, i am going to hunt down whoever caused it and make him/her suffer. I don't want lasers to become banned in the USA *sniff* :'(
 





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my eyes got tired after reading that... well it is late at night and i barely got any sleep last night because i think my sister-in-law stole my brand new 8gb usb and i spent most of the night looking through the house.... :'( :'( :mad: :mad: i cant trust the friggen lady........ :-/ i got proof of her stealing my digital camera.... :'(
 

Ace82

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That is a great post. Thanks for sharing that. What forum was it on? Anyway, I appreciate FrothyChimp's passion, as I totally agree. However, as Einstein said, "There are only two things that are infinite. The universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." There are billions of people in the US, and for the extremely small percent of us who practice safe and cautious use of lasers, we need to put it out there as FrothyChimp has done. At least us members of LPF can help share this knowledge with these "kids" (or ignorant bafoons) that browse these forums. As for all the rest, we can only hope and pray that another freedom doesn't get lost and scientific hobbies or related applications are not converted into criminal offences punishable by law.
 
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Ace82 said:
That is a great post.  Thanks for sharing that.  What forum was it on?  Anyway, I appreciate FrothyChimp's passion, as I totally agree.  However, as Einstein said, "There are only two things that are infinite. The universe, and human stupidity.  And I'm not sure about the universe."  There are billions of people in the US, and for the extremely small percent of us who practice safe and cautious use of lasers, we need to put it out there as FrothyChimp has done.  At least us members of LPF can help share this knowledge with these "kids" (or ignorant bafoons) that browse these forums.  As for all the rest, we can only hope and pray that another freedom doesn't get lost and scientific hobbies or related applications are not converted into criminal offences punishable by law.  
I actually got it on this forum. On a post, some guy asked if UV blocking sunglasses would block Blu-Ray. Do you think this should become a sticky for new members? FrothyChimp is very wise...
 

Switch

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Here's something that might shock you: newbies don't read stickies. :p
 

Dave

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Spyderz20x6 said:
I realize most of the members on this site have no idea what standards are and why they are in place

What brought you to this revelation? I'd give LPF'rs a little more credit than that!


Spyderz20x6 said:
It would certainly deepen the gene pool which in today's day and age is much too shallow.

LOL!!! What the hell is that supposed to mean? I guess I ain't so smart after all!
 
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Dave said:
[quote author=Spyderz20x6 link=1213159723/0#0 date=1213159723]
It would certainly deepen the gene pool which in today's day and age is much too shallow.

LOL!!! What the hell is that supposed to mean?  I guess I ain't so smart after all!

[/quote]

The "shallow" end of the gene pool refers to those people that shine lasers at aircraft, look down the barrel of a gun before making sure it's safe, drive after drinking alcohol and other stupid things of that sort.

Watch Jackass for quite a few examples. If these people were to kill themselves by doing stupid stuff, the gene pool would "deepen."
 




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