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Mosquito Device - Project X For Kids?
The Mosquito device is a device that uses high-frequency sound to stop teenagers from gathering outside places of business. The device is available in the United States as the Mosquito Kid Deterrent Device. The government-appointed Children's Commission in the UK wants to see it banned.
According to Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, the Children's Commissioner, the Mosquito device infringes on the basic rights of young people. The device sends out an intolerable tone that only young people can hear; 85 decibels of sound at 17-18 kilohertz. The capacity to hear high-frequency tones gradually declines with age; older people are not affected.
(Mosquito device as sold in the U.S.)
According to Sir Albert:
“These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving,” Sir Al told the BBC.“The use of measures such as these are simply demonising children and young people, creating a dangerous and widening divide between the young and the old.”
"This device is a quick fix. It's not tackling the root of the problem and it's indiscriminate."
'Sir Al' has initiated a campaign - dubbed Buzz Off to alert people to the problem. Human rights group Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti puts it this way:
"What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids."
Indiscriminate use of a sonic weapon that effectively clears out large areas of property is one of the issues seen in Ayn Rand's 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged. In the book, she calls such a device "Project X:"
"Project X" Dr. Ferris was saying, "was devoted to some special research in the field of sound. The science of sound has astonishing aspects, which laymen would scarcely suspect...""...And it was discovered" said Dr. Ferris, "that there are certain frequencies of sound vibration which no structure, organic or inorganic, can withstand..."
It's first public test, which you are about to witness, has been set to cover a small sector, a mere two miles, in perfect safety, with all space cleared for twenty miles beyond.
(Read more about Project X)
Via Kids' commissioner calls for ban on Mosquito, ultrasonic anti-teen device; see also the Mosquito Kid Deterrent Device at Kids Be Gone. Thanks to reader Moira for contributing the tip on this story, as well as the reference.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/13/2008)
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