 |
Rape Trap Like Snow Crash 'Dentata'
South Aftrican inventor Sonette Ehlers has invented an anti-rape device similar to one mentioned in Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash. She describes the tampon-shaped device this way:
He'll have to turn himself in, so he's marked for immediate identification."
Over 1.5 million rapes occur every year in South Aftrica - one of the highest rates in the world.
In his 1992 novel Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson gives YT, a female character, a similar device called a "dentata" to use:
Legends and stories surrounding the vaginus dentata or "toothed vagina" have been around for centuries in cultures all over the world. In the Middle Ages, some Christians believed that witches could grow fangs in their vaginas. (Although very rare, teeth can actually be found in vaginas; dermoid cysts are formed from the outer layer of embryonic skin cells, and these cells are able to mature into teeth.) The term vagina dentata was created by Sigmund Freud as a part of his theories concerning castration anxiety.
The anti-rape device faces considerable opposition in South Africa, where it is due to go onsale in drugstores and supermarkets next month. Charlene Smith, prominent anti-rape campaigner, states "This is a medieval instrument, based on male-hating notions and fundamentally misunderstands the nature of rape and violence against women in this society."
Read more at South Africa 'rape trap' condemned; see also Vagina Dentata. Thanks to Ray Girvan for contributing the tip for this story (and to Adam for the extra quote).
"Hollow inside and the inner wall of it is lined, and there we have got all our technology and little hooks which, upon forced penetration, will attach to the skin of the perpetrator and only a medical doctor can remove it.
...a very small hypodermic needle slipped imperceptibly into the engorged frontal vein of his penis, automatically shooting a cocktail of powerful narcotics and depressants into his bloodstream.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/12/2005)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 17 )
Related News Stories - (" Lifestyle ")
Farming Detroit Like Trantor
An agrarian Detroit may well be in the offing in the decline of the Big Three automakers.
Sleepbox Like Niven's Napcap
Just the thing for weary travelers, it looks like someone was reading Larry Niven. But where's the sleep induction cap?
Date Rape Prevention Lip Gloss Kit
Women should take their 2 Love My Lips lip gloss when clubbing, because you never know when someone will try chaumurky.
Biggest Electronic Book Store On Earth
I'm a bit late with this story, but then again, so is Barnes and Noble with that whole electronic bookstore idea.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
Perhaps looking out through the spray of Victoria Falls.
Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Just tap into the information tree.
SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
Man Forrester! Your joymaker is ready.
Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
Also used to protect galactic way stations.
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do.
Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use!
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
I love it when good robot research comes together.
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Humanity must make a choice about robot evolution.
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
Bringing The Game to the Olympic Games.
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot?
Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
It's an odalarm!
Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
An impact suit made with a shear thickening material.
First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The Nexus Six phone will need a Nexus-6 brain.
Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
A robotic pack mule for soldiers.
Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone!
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in comfort.
