Posted on 03/02/2012 7:46:14 AM PST by null and void
TOKYO (Newscore) - Japanese researchers have invented a speech-jamming gadget that painlessly forces people into silence.
Kazutaka Kurihara of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and Koji Tsukada of Ochanomizu University, developed a portable "SpeechJammer" gun that can silence people more than 30 meters away.
The device works by recording its target's speech then firing their words back at them with a 0.2-second delay, which affects the brain's cognitive processes and causes speakers to stutter before silencing them completely.
Describing the device in their research paper, Kurihara and Tsukada wrote, "In general, human speech is jammed by giving back to the speakers their own utterances at a delay of a few hundred milliseconds. This effect can disturb people without any physical discomfort, and disappears immediately by stopping speaking."
They found that the device works better on people who were reading aloud than engaged in "spontaneous speech" and it cannot stop people making meaningless sounds, such as "ahhh," that are uttered over a long time period.
Kurihara and Tsukada suggested the speech-jamming gun could be used to hush noisy speakers in public libraries or to silence people in group discussions who interrupt other people's speeches.
"There are still many cases in which the negative aspects of speech become a barrier to the peaceful resolution of conflicts," the authors said.
The DNC just ordered 30,000 units.
I definitely want an app for that!
The device works by recording its target's speech then firing their words back at them with a 0.2-second delay,
Because of the speed of sound, it won't work at further than about 34 meters.
The device is called a MOTHER IN LAW;)
lol good one
You have to hand it to the Japanese. They come up with the best consumer products!
Really? They just figured this out? Musicians have long known if enough delay (reverb or echo) turned up to high whether live speakers or in headphones for recording, can put them off their timing and have to start over. So this does it remotely around 30 meters (app 100 feet)? Japanese auditory researchers have nothing else to work on? They should stick with copying American innovations and making them better, as they often have. Sheesh.
"it cannot stop people making meaningless sounds, such as "ahhh," that are uttered over a long time period." - cripplecreekSigh. Then it won't be very useful to stifle the muslim battle cry, call to prayer, or sermons in mosque.
Apparently, the Japanese used this device effectively against Rick Perry during the debates. The last thing the Japanese want is a good American president who might strengthen the American auto industry at the expense of their Hondas and Toyotas.
The STFU Gun: Ever joke with your spouse you wish you had a mute button? Now you do. Honey, STFU. Click. Done.
Earplugs already make this device obsolete.
Seems like a reverse tech of the devices used to help stutters, which are hearing aids that push white noise when the wearer speaks.
By the way, this is not all that effective. I’ve had just this effect occur on many phone calls, and while it is annoying, I also can set my mind to plowing right through, and it works.
One of these attached to the TOTUS would be worth every penny.
Thanks null and void.
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