Weaponizing MP3s

It's true.
"shrug"

smart way to use your MP3 and for good reasons too which is better but what about the people on the ship what happens to their hearing

It sounds like a great idea until they realize all they need is hearing protection. We can hope they aren't that smart.

If it causes permanent deafness that could easily be banned by the UN. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time in war and you won't hear anything for the rest of your life.

Also if it does cause permanent deafness, than they really could only use it once. They just have to send the infantry learning sign language after the last blast to take it out.

I think also if you are in the wrong place at the wrong tome you could go deaf. what about the crew on the ship? if they don't have their ear protection on they could go deaf for the wrong reasons

The article didn't state it, but I'm under the assumption that the soundwave is very precise, somewhat point-and-shoot. Probably not much in the way of collateral damage.

The technology described in this article is truly interesting. This technology uses sound waves for a very unique purpose. Not many people would think of defending their tankers with MP3 players, which is basically what is being done in the Gulf of Aden. This is a very clever way to ward off pirates, and it is exciting that there is more use for MP3 players than listening to music. Also, the most amazing part is that teams in the Gulf of Aden would not have to use lethal means of fighting pirates. There is a chance that permanent deafness may occur, but from what this article states, it does not seem that anyone would get close enough to the blast without proper ear protection. If it comes down to shooting the pirates with deadly guns or scaring them away with an extremely loud sonic blast, the latter should be chosen. Overall, this is a very interesting use for MP3 players, and this article is research is really great.

The technology described in this article is truly interesting. This technology uses sound waves for a very unique purpose. Not many people would think of defending their tankers with MP3 players, which is basically what is being done in the Gulf of Aden. This is a very clever way to ward off pirates, and it is exciting that there is more use for MP3 players than listening to music. Also, the most amazing part is that teams in the Gulf of Aden would not have to use lethal means of fighting pirates. There is a chance that permanent deafness may occur, but from what this article states, it does not seem that anyone would get close enough to the blast without proper ear protection. If it comes down to shooting the pirates with deadly guns or scaring them away with an extremely loud sonic blast, the latter should be chosen. Overall, this is a very interesting use for MP3 players, and this research is really great.

I'm sorry, but these pirates aren't innocent bystanders, or even demonstrators outside a G8 summit. They are murderous criminals. If they get on board, they won't be worried about causing hearing loss. They won't think twice about giving the crew an acute case of lead poisoning.
Anti-ship missiles are the answer!

Some of you are missing the operative word: TARGETED. You also seem to be glossing over the second most-important word: EXCRUCIATING. The thing doesn't just make them deaf. IT HURTS. A LOT. So much so that you don't even think about boarding a ship.

It doesn't (directly cause loss of life; it doesn't spread debris across nautical miles of ocean; it doesn't leave an oil slick. And you don't run out of ammo.

my concern is that everyone knows, now. How long can it be before criminals or kids start popping us all over the place?

Where can I get one of these? .... I want one mounted on my pickup truck with a camera so I target the S.O.B. that cuts me off....then off to a "nationalize healthcare rally"

yes, the weapon has side effects that may or may not result in civilian casualty... but what weapon doesn't. at least this one doesn't kill the third party, which was the point to it's development. think about it- obviously you would choose niether if you could, but it you couldn't wouldn't you rather be deaf than dead?

though, i suppose there is one alternative... we could just disband our military forces, destroy all arms, and sit around singing "Kumbaya" until people such as these pirates pillage and kill us. personally, i'm in support of the non-lethal weaponry.

weapons are weapons, and the person caught on the wrong side usually gets hurt, or worse... it's a tragedy and a shame... and yet, we still need them.
everything has the potential for abuse, but we can NOT allow irresponsible people to be only ones to wield these things.
you can't put the genie back into the bottle, and killing- technology is one bad genie...
a weapon is a weapon... good or bad, it's how you choose to control the power...
i have many weapons, and i am a good person...