Posted on 12/21/2018 10:44:46 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
FULL TITLE: 'My credibility is sort of shot': Former NASA engineer behind the viral YouTube glitter-bomb video admits some of it was faked
It is one of the viral videos of the year, but elements of it were unwittingly faked.
That's the admission of Mark Rober, the former NASA engineer who built a glitter bomb package that explodes after it has been stolen from a front porch.
The YouTube sensation has more than 40 million views, but three days after being posted, Rober said elements of the prank section of the video were not as they seemed.
Much of the video focuses on Rober creating the package, but the payoff comes towards the end, when he secretly records it in action in the hands of unsuspecting thieves.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
for his next trick, he shall “eat a Tide Pod” *
* update: full disclosure, some segments may be dramatized
I wasn’t terribly surprised; he made the box so offensive that it seemed rational for the thieves to just throw it out of their car windows, or leave it on the side of the road. THe guts of the device were sealed, so the thief would have to put up with the fart smells that seemed to never end, while they tried to take it apart, while also realizing probably that the box was a setup, which means someone could be coming for them.
Remember, once the device activated, he knew to go get it, and he had 4 different phones telling him where it was, so it was pretty easy to track down.
Secretly, I was admiring his clever pranks.
It's still a fun idea and video.
If it harms anyone opening it or nearby, in any way (fright, spasm of neck or back or car crash from startle reaction, allergic reaction to odor gas, eye impact/irritation or lung inhalation injury from glitter expulsion, etc.), then it could be considered a boobytrapped hazard/weapon and illegal, really really illegal! It has this potential, so it is probably illegal anyway.
https://definitions.uslegal.com/b/booby-traps/
There are plenty of uses for old smart phones. A free app called Alfred works great as a security camera that streams to the web
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So then the dye and stink bombs that banks put in the sack for hold-ups is illegal?
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It was still fun to watch...
If it meets the legal definition of potential “boobytrap” in a particular jurisdiction, and then actually does cause harm or death, then there is definitely the risk for criminal and civil legal action against the person(s) who intentionally give a “bomb” of any sort to another. It’s not the same as a GPS tracker, which when working normally, does not subject the “thief” to bodily harm or death ITSELF. Up to police, attorneys, judges, juries, and legislators to decide. But I wouldn’t want to risk my life savings and health trying to defend against such a criminal or civil action. Better to avoid.
Thank you.
You mean a dye pack as a response to an armed robbery, compared to what... whatever’s at stake in an Amazon box on someone’s front porch?
Who should decide the difference?
Most of our statutes are very sloppily written. (Common Whore grads)
Put it this way: Out of 25 million views, how many wise guys are going to decide to do this at home, with say, some pipe and stuff and a 12 gauge shell with the shot removed, and then some kid gets a charge of glitter in his eyes. I hope such a thing would never happen, but to answer your question, a jury.
That's who decides the difference. That's why it's not gonna happen at my house, and that's why I'm admittedly a stickinthemud about it and that's why I'm really kinda shocked at the indifference I see about it.
It's all fun and games until someone gets maimed for life.
Then it goes to a jury. Since you asked.
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A prosecutor has to decide to bring charges first, and a judge has to agree that there is ample evidence to proceed, before it ever gets to a jury.
Really? Gee, I never knew that. Good thing you're here to fill me in or I'd never have known such a thing.
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Apparently.
Nothing fake in that picture. And “yes”, I saw the cat.
It’s all fun and games until people from that locale recognize the “thieves” and call the cops.
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