Every once in a while, I’ll encounter a concept gadget that I don’t want to ever see become reality. Such is the case for the MEDUSA, a gadget that is already in production at the Sierra Nevada Corporation. The MEDUSA (Mob Excess Deterrent Using Silent Audio) creates a microwave audio effect that can implant sounds and possibly specific messages inside people’s heads.
In other words, this can produce a shockwave to make the victims believe that they are going insane. I’m not certain how this would be a “Mob Excess Deterrent”, because I thought Mobs were already crazy in the first place. Maybe it will make them crazy enough to stand still and try and get a grip, at which point the “good” guys can strike back! As you are no doubt well aware, Medusa was the gorgon girl from Greek myths whose very gaze could turn people into stone. I’m guessing this is the effect the MEDUSA creators wanted. They must have really loved Clash of the Titans.
Perhaps it is just me, but this product sounds about as scary as the monster that inspired its namesake. If this really can implant specific suggestions in my head, then there is really no limit to the amount of mental destruction it can bring.
In fact, James Lin from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Illinois in Chicago insists that more testing be done to determine if there could be neural damage. Thank you, Mr. Lin. Lin has stated that lower, whisper-level intensities of the MEDUSA are just fine, but higher levels could seriously fry brains. You think?
By the way, earplugs are useless against the awesome power of the MEDUSA. Apparently, the device can exceed audio safety limits since the sound bypasses the eardrums and emanates within the skull.
Okay, this MEDUSA has enough terrifying features! Someone pull the plug on this thing already! Geez, haven’t we learned anything from Jurassic Park? Just because we can build something doesn’t mean that we should!
