Why the inquisitive tone? I understand that the AP is aiming to be non-partisan, but FFS it was clearly an LRAD. Video and victim accounts line up with previous available material about the weapons. Add to that the photographs of LRADs deployed to the area at the time of the incident - this isn’t some Sherlock Holmes mystery, if there’s another entirely different weapon which can spur widespread, instant crowd panic without making a sound then I’m all ears, because I’ve never heard of it. Re-linking footage of the attack from URL used in other comment. Watch the crowd of hundreds reacting to nothing observable at the 0:07 mark
“When presented with photos of the device mounted on an off-road vehicle and deployed at the rally of hundreds of thousands of protesters, officials admitted possessing a sonic weapon, but insisted it was not used against the protesters.”
Liars.
It’s relatively new, in terms of weapons. They’ve apparently been adopted on some domestic U.S. military bases as a means to repel attacks, but I haven’t seen any news reports of people rushing the gates. It’s extremely effective for “area denial”, and its potential use against demonstrators (peaceful, not rioting) will inevitably cause fatalities - I guarantee that it won’t be long before it’s used in a situation that doesn’t merit the use of force. Someone will die, hearings will be held, nothing will happen, and it will continue to be used to abuse and assault participants of marches, sit-ins, etc. during scenarios where there was no hazard to Police.
see: truncheons, fire hoses, tear gas, rubber bullets…
I am from neighbouring Croatia, I fully despise their government and leader Vučić, a lot of fake hateful propaganda towards Croatia, a lot of corruption in their country. I hope they succeed in renewing their country and improve institutions.
Craziest part is that Vučić claims no such weapons were used during moments of silence and corrupt doctors claim no people arrived at hospital with symptoms from attack. Absolutely discusting lies that makes everyone who knows justice wanna act furiosly.
Does anyone know if noise cancelling works against or diminishes this sound?
No, your airpods will not protect you from this. Not only will the sheer volume of sound overwhelm their tiny ANC speakers, but sonic weapons affect more than just the eardrum. They can affect your heart, lungs, and other organs.
Exact right, as it’s untrasonic, the sound is transmitted directly through the target’s body. Noise canceling earphones/plugs will have no protective effect whatsoever.
I watched a video after this happened where a guy was testing defenses. He tried what he called electric headphones that I’m guessing are noise canceling, and they made it worse. Best defense was ear muffs and a riot shield.
Video: https://youtu.be/CXKTBQBugIA
No, the sound is transmitted through the body rather than just via the auditory system in such a way that simply plugging or covering your ears will provide no protection from the effect. As analogy, imagine the effect of a train whistle or jet engine on someone who’s within 1-25 ft., but 100% deaf. It wouldn’t need to be heard by their ears per se as it would be so powerful as to be transmitted into the target’s body, which would reacts accordingly to a 100+ decibel sound.
Absolutely not 🤦♂️
This just in: wearing noise canceling headphones to a protest is now illegal.
I would think it provides some protection.
I’ll just leave this here
Now we’re talking.
Could a potentially trained group of protesters resist this? Say, if leaflets were explaining the effects of this thing, could people bear it and march on?
It’s coming. Protesters need to be prepared for it.
Apparently you just need to hold the leaflet or another piece of paper between you and the cannon
What if I had a sound mirror? Would that save me
They’d treat you the same way they treat people who throw back the gas canisters.
If I had a spare $2 Million I’d build one of those fancy Lorentz Tesla Cannons and see which dystopian scifi tech wins. Gonna be loud af either way.
Image credit goes to LightningOnDemand
How it works is that a coil is charged with high enough voltage that it generates an electromagnetic field which keeps it from disintegrating until the voltage drops below the threshold such as coming into contact with an object. The required voltage depends on the max range and the gauge of wire which connects the rod and the quick discharge capacitor banks, but in the range of over a hundred thousand volts is expected. It’s basically a rechargeable short range EMP: it will literally melt electronics near the contact point even behind other objects. Electronics such as an expensive sonic weapon.
I suppose a much cheaper solution would be a jar of flammable liquid and a burning rag.
jar of flammable liquid and a burning rag
We’ve got to come up with a shorter name for this idea
This sort of thing can’t be allowed to continue.
