From: Eugen Leitl (eugen@leitl.org)
Date: Thu Dec 26 2002 - 10:29:49 MST
On Thu, 26 Dec 2002, Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:
> Eugen, what is "> blanket realtime agent detection and user notification"
Oh, just an array of sniffers (for nerve agents, aerosol and pathogen DNA)
hooked to a wireless network, and end user notification (beepers,
dedicated channel for mobile phone broadcast signalling, loudspeakers).
That way you know where and which attack is in progress and can notify
targets in the area in realtime (use microfilter mask, bunny suit if you
have one, get out of the open/into shelters, zip up into sterile tents,
decontaminate, observe quarantine, stand by for further instructions).
Etc.
A primitive microfilter mask is a few bucks, yet it will quite efficiently
protect against any aerosol targeting the lung and mucous membranes --
provided, you've donned it on time. Combine this with a cheap sealed kit
containing water (microfilter/sterilizer; ion exchanger for the hot
isotopes, lyophilized food fortified with vitamins and mineral salts,
dedicated antibiotics, iodide/iodate tablets, atropine injections, a cheap
digital radio for emergency messaging, and a sterile microfilter
family-sized tent for the living room and most of B stuff just isn't that
scary anymore. Even small scale A and C attacks (but for those poor sods
who got fried/drenched in the open) are not all that scary.
Incremental increase in threats can make above quite mundane and people
well trained in use of said paraphernalia and techniques. I'm pointing to
the threat level of the average Israeli or European country during WWII.
Even the most badass terrorists can't marshall anything comparable.
I will also point towards the fact that a lot of the technologies required
for manned space exploration if use down here can make humanity
effectively unkillable. Notice that above doesn't invalidate need for
decentralization; a modern largish city is still vulnerable to a meek
tritium-boosted (few g T gas, one order of magnitude enhanced yield)
weapon.
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