Sci-Fi that's no longer "Fi"

[Koliedrus]

You read about it in a book or see it in a movie and think, "Damn! It'd be cool if we could do that".

Years later, you find out that others thought the same thing and decided to do something about it.

When you run across them, bring them here.

Example:

The camouflage from Predator - http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/02/07/japan.invisible.ap/index.html

[mute]

HOLY JUMPIN JESUS

me likey :)

[Billyman]

But it's an optical illusion.

[SimpleSimon]

Originally posted by Billyman
But it's an optical illusion.

Actually, it is not an illusion.

Take a look:

http://www.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/projects/MEDIA/xv/oc.html

follow the video links there

[Billyman]

Smoke and mirrors.

[Koliedrus]

And an invisible fence isn't really a force field. Still it simulates the effect with the technology available. The fence uses conditioning instead of a physical barrier. The suit is equally unlike a cloak of invisibility in that it only works under special conditions.

Still, one step away from "Fi". Give it a decade or three.

[Asmodeus]

Mainly smoke and mirrors... now. To think, if any country had made a invisibilty cloak or whatever, how long do you think it would take for the US military to stage a coup or invade or something. Musn't be left out now can we? hehe

Actually, I don't think we even have the physics enough to account for a true invisibility camoflage- the phase varience you would have to overcome or at least bend in just the visible light spectrum boggles my mind.

But, like Kol said, give it a decade or 20. :D

[Koliedrus]

Wait wait...

Optical illusion, smoke, mirrors, camo?

Isn't that the point?

[SimpleSimon]

Yes indeed, it is in fact the point.

Ideally, a cloak of "invisibilty" would work by taking in light like a very hi-desnsity ccd camera on 1 surface and emitting light fron the surface 180 degrees away on the other side of the concealed object in exactly the same frequencies and image pattern. Problem is, we cannot do that as yet. That days is coming, and sooner than you might believe.

[Koliedrus]

Let's shift gears a bit and put Phasers on "stun".

I'm thinking about an emitter that can sit on the back of a Hummer.

(Shit. Now I'm doing "I see with my little eye". Kids)

[SimpleSimon]

Originally posted by Koliedrus
Let's shift gears a bit and put Phasers on "stun".

I'm thinking about an emitter that can sit on the back of a Hummer.

(Shit. Now I'm doing "I see with my little eye". Kids)

Ray Guns, Anyone? (http://www.physics.northwestern.edu/classes/2001Fall/Phyx135-2/19/naew.htm)

[Asmodeus]

Kewl beans SS.

They also have a similar device that has been out for a few years now- can't find a link. It is based on microwave technology as well. Only this doesn't cause burns or even the sensation of burning- it makes you shit your pants. Literally. It causes the lower intestine to all of a sudden void itself.

Not sure if it is being tested anymore or if it had been phased out or whatever. But, think on this- what striker, warrior, geurilla, or whatever can shoot or cause a whole lot of trouble when they have to take a shit?

Non-lethal technology at it's best... or worst?