4 ms·

It seems like a corner-cube would do a serviceable job in this context and might be lighter, as long as the reflector is substantially larger than the wavelengt

by ISL 6y ago

It seems like a corner-cube would do a serviceable job in this context and might be lighter, as long as the reflector is substantially larger than the wavelength of the sound. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corner_reflector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corner_reflector Wikipedia claims that the LRADs operate at ~2.5 kHz, which corresponds to ~13 cm wavelength. If a corner-cube is about the size of a protest sign, it might be sufficient? As a rule of thumb, if it is about as big as the LRAD device itself, it'll probably have some efficacy. The more-directional the LRAD is, the more effective the corner-cube will be. In Seattle, at least during "normal" protests, there are restrictions on the materials used in constructing protest signs (no wood bigger than 1", etc.) in order to limit the extent to which they can be used as weapons. One ought to be able to pretty-readily test whether or not foam-core-board corner-cubes (or any design) are effective reflectors with relatively low-intensity sound sources.

shitpostbot 6y ago
Protesters should make a parabolic reflector with the focus about 50ft out. Pretty sure cops would stop using these things instantly
- ISL 6y ago
  Parabolic reflectors require alignment and they bring incident energy to a focus no matter what. Focusing the energy of an instrument that is designed to approach dangerous sound-intensity levels is certain to make the situation more dangerous. Non-violent action is predicated on the idea that hurting anyone, including an aggressor, is counterproductive. A corner-cube reflector won't hurt an LRAD operator any more than the LRAD operator is hurting others. A parabolic reflector could. If the golden rule isn't sufficient motivation to avoid a focal instrument, perhaps friendly-fire will be: A parabolic reflector will always bring parallel waves/rays to a focus at the focus. If the reflector is more than a focal-length inside a crowd, it is going to destroy the ears of a protestor. Like glass bottles that start fires in the Australian Outback by concentrating sunlight, anything that concentrates sound energy in an environment with an LRAD is a recipe for unintended consequence.
  - ahelwer 6y ago
    Once the police have used LRAD the protest has ceased being non-violent. Defending yourself is completely in-bounds unless you have a martyr complex.
    - ISL 6y ago
      A protest can remain non-violent in the face of violence. Modern non-violent protests have succeeded against well-armed and violent opposition. I'd argue the world is better for it. When and where violence should be resisted with violence is a question for the ages, perhaps with an answer that varies with time and circumstance. I suspect that for the protests in America today to succeed, taking the highest-possible road of non-violence will yield the greatest dividend. The real battle is playing out in the minds of a multitude of quiet observers. The city streets are just one stage.
  - tsss 6y ago
    "Non-violent protest" is not rooted in good will because you don't want to hurt your opponent. The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media war and gain more sympathy/supporters. The whole point of this device is to not be hurt, which defeats the principle behind non-violent protest, so you might as well hit back with force. God knows the cops don't care if they permanently blind you, destroy your hearing or kill you.
    - dragonwriter 6y ago
      > The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media war and gain more sympathy/supporters. It is not. The idea is not to provide political cover for violent escalation by the establishment. Now, if that escalation nevertheless occurs, one response is to make lemonade out of those lemons, but it's not the goal of nonviolent protest.
    - ISL 6y ago
      Two thoughts on the subject from Dr. King: “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” “Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.” The point is to sway the very opponent who is harming you, to convince them that hurting you is wrong. It takes great strategy, tactics, and courage. The point is not to be a martyr, it is to create change that makes a difference.
- gruez 6y ago
  >Pretty sure cops would stop using these things instantly prepared to get shot and/or charged with "assaulting a police officer"

by ISL 6y ago

shitpostbot 6y ago

Protesters should make a parabolic reflector with the focus about 50ft out. Pretty sure cops would stop using these things instantly

ISL 6y ago
Parabolic reflectors require alignment and they bring incident energy to a focus no matter what. Focusing the energy of an instrument that is designed to approach dangerous sound-intensity levels is certain to make the situation more dangerous. Non-violent action is predicated on the idea that hurting anyone, including an aggressor, is counterproductive. A corner-cube reflector won't hurt an LRAD operator any more than the LRAD operator is hurting others. A parabolic reflector could. If the golden rule isn't sufficient motivation to avoid a focal instrument, perhaps friendly-fire will be: A parabolic reflector will always bring parallel waves/rays to a focus at the focus. If the reflector is more than a focal-length inside a crowd, it is going to destroy the ears of a protestor. Like glass bottles that start fires in the Australian Outback by concentrating sunlight, anything that concentrates sound energy in an environment with an LRAD is a recipe for unintended consequence.
- ahelwer 6y ago
  Once the police have used LRAD the protest has ceased being non-violent. Defending yourself is completely in-bounds unless you have a martyr complex.
  - ISL 6y ago
    A protest can remain non-violent in the face of violence. Modern non-violent protests have succeeded against well-armed and violent opposition. I'd argue the world is better for it. When and where violence should be resisted with violence is a question for the ages, perhaps with an answer that varies with time and circumstance. I suspect that for the protests in America today to succeed, taking the highest-possible road of non-violence will yield the greatest dividend. The real battle is playing out in the minds of a multitude of quiet observers. The city streets are just one stage.
- tsss 6y ago
  "Non-violent protest" is not rooted in good will because you don't want to hurt your opponent. The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media war and gain more sympathy/supporters. The whole point of this device is to not be hurt, which defeats the principle behind non-violent protest, so you might as well hit back with force. God knows the cops don't care if they permanently blind you, destroy your hearing or kill you.
  - dragonwriter 6y ago
    > The idea is to let yourself be beat up in order to win the media war and gain more sympathy/supporters. It is not. The idea is not to provide political cover for violent escalation by the establishment. Now, if that escalation nevertheless occurs, one response is to make lemonade out of those lemons, but it's not the goal of nonviolent protest.
  - ISL 6y ago
    Two thoughts on the subject from Dr. King: “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” “Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.” The point is to sway the very opponent who is harming you, to convince them that hurting you is wrong. It takes great strategy, tactics, and courage. The point is not to be a martyr, it is to create change that makes a difference.
gruez 6y ago
>Pretty sure cops would stop using these things instantly prepared to get shot and/or charged with "assaulting a police officer"