This

October 30, 2002 2:31 PM

This story has been feature in the media a bit lately, but something on the second page caught my attention, it was mention of a '4G' wireless technology that was also a weapon of mass-desctruction. The article mentions a press release which revels the company is called Gaiacomm and a quick search reveals quite a few more 'press releases' (1, 2, 3, 4). So, is this for real or what? Can my 802.11b card be used as a weapon?
posted by sycophant (9 comments total)

That's a hokey-looking company website if ever I saw one.

Interesting sherlocking, sycophant!
posted by oissubke at 2:34 PM on October 30, 2002

sycophant: Can my 802.11b card be used as a weapon?

No.
posted by eddydamascene at 2:37 PM on October 30, 2002

"can my 802.11b card be used as a weapon?"

How hard can you throw it?

oissubke: I like that their PRESS RELEASES contain lots of SCARY CAPITALIZATION like AOL VIRUS WARNINGS do.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:38 PM on October 30, 2002

Fake. I can't wait to see the movie.
posted by elwoodwiles at 3:00 PM on October 30, 2002

sycophant: Can my 802.11b card be used as a weapon?

No.

*stabs eddy with his WiFi card*
posted by trioperative at 3:06 PM on October 30, 2002

*cries*

Just to be fair, I did find this sure fire way to ignite the atmosphere.
posted by eddydamascene at 3:10 PM on October 30, 2002

Fabulous. I've been reading the technical spec which is most amusing - the founder of the theory is none other than Judah Ben-Hur, you'd need your transmitters and receivers to be roughly 20 miles in length, and if you're very lucky, you might be able to transmit at the high rate of about 20 bits per second (that's not kilobits folks).
posted by BigCalm at 4:01 PM on October 30, 2002

Time to start WarChalking Baghdad?
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 5:57 PM on October 30, 2002

I've heard of such a weapon. It's frightening. Apparently it has a weakness, though: it can only be 'activated' by a person reclining in particular models of Tropitone brand chaise lounge. I believe it has something to do with the magnetic field generated by these lounges. A few years ago the US gov quietly initiated a nationwide recall of Tropitone chaise lounges. Coincidence?
posted by shoos at 8:01 PM on October 30, 2002