RE: Non Violent Weapons

Sarcasm mode on: Odd that games that model warefare (even
'low-intensity' police action) should tend to violence.  Sarcasm mode
off.

Seriously, I think that unless you come up with some PSB  answer like
Tasps (uses direct electronic stimulation to the pleasure center of the
brain) most weapons are going to be violent _and_ lethal. Even Tasp-ed
folks could concievably injure themselves in the throes of overwhelming
ecstasy not to mention that Tasps may be addictive (Larry Niven's
wireheads). So a 'harmless' riot weapon is difficult, if not impossible
to find. I also frankly, prefer the grim, gritty realistic version of
the future, with riot troops more than likely armed with 'non-lethal'
and 'humane' weapons entirely capable of making you piss blood for a
week, or stove in your skull. Maybe the NAC, FCT, FSE use more high-tech
'humane' electro stunners, grav plates ( maybe set to provide 3g's or so
worth of pull ), sticky foam, &c. but I'm sure water cannons,
billyclubs, bamboo canes, saps and brass knucks are the order of the day
in 'low-tech' or poor areas along with rubber slugs, pancake rounds, and
the ever popular "shoot over their heads boys !" all of these methods
can result in injury or death to the targets. No one said life is easy,
better hope it was something worth rioting about.

At some point the decision to use 'violence' has to be made. Hopefully
this decision is in the public good.

Gene

> ----------
> From: 	Neil[SMTP:morg@intonet.co.uk]
> Reply To:	FTGZG-L@bolton.ac.uk
> Sent: 	Tuesday, March 10, 1998 1:18 AM
> To:	FTGZG-L@bolton.ac.uk
> Subject:	Re: Non Violent Weapons
> 
> This thread should really be non-lethal weapons.  All the things
> discussed
> so far are pretty violent.
> 
>