Superbomb ignites science dispute, page 1

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Topic started on 13-11-2003 @ 10:23 AM by EastCoastKid

Hmmm... so here's this supposed new generation weapon.. in development.. then it gets roundly criticized. Is this an attempt to putting a stop to the notion that it could actually be do-able? Or is it a farce?

Superbomb ignites science dispute
Pentagon advisers challenge experiments behind nonnuclear weapon
Keay Davidson, Chronicle Science Writer
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Š2003 San Francisco Chronicle | Feedback

URL: sfgate.com/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/09/28/MN23720.DTL

The Pentagon's pursuit of a new kind of nonnuclear super-weapon has sparked a behind-the-scenes revolt among its elite scientific advisers, some of whom reject the scheme as pseudoscience.

The military's goal is to develop a bomb that might be far more powerful than existing conventional weapons of the same size. Precisely targeted, such a weapon could take out targets -- such as underground caverns that conceal weapons of mass destruction -- without posing the severe political risks of using nuclear bombs.

The key to the concept is a little known element called hafnium. By figuring out how to unleash the abundant energy from a hafnium isotope, called hafnium-178, the military hopes to develop a new generation of weapons. According to a Defense Department Web site, such a weapon might "revolutionize all aspects of warfare."

The Pentagon is now quietly investigating ways to mass produce the isotope. Late last year, it created the 12-member Hafnium Isomer Production Panel (HIPP). Its purpose: to assess ways to mass-produce the isotope for military uses ranging from bombs to advanced forms of propulsion.

Yet some of the nation's most distinguished scientists and military advisers say that such futuristic dreams of tomorrow's battlefields are premature at best and nonsense at worst.

For four years, working largely behind the scenes, they have advised the Pentagon that claims by hafnium-178 enthusiasts -- led by physicist Carl Collins of the University of Texas -- defy sound physical theory and have not been reproduced in lab experiments by other researchers. For the first time, some of these skeptics are going public with their concerns.

Last month, in a memorandum to Pentagon and Energy Department officials obtained by The Chronicle, five of the 12 members of the military's own advisory panel on mass producing hafnium-178 and other top experts warned against prematurely proceeding to develop weapons "applications that may not make physical sense."
The rest: www.sfgate.com... ?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/09/28/MN23720.DTL&type=printable

[Edited on 19-09-2003 by EastCoastKid]

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 10:25 AM by Sapphire

I've heard about this too, in the news online. Im positive its real and if so, then that guy who claims to be from the Future is telling the truth. He said by 2005 civil war would break out and by 2015 WWIII will happen killing off over 3 billion people, kinda scary eh.

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 10:27 AM by Gazrok

Sweet....

All of the punch and threat of a nuke without the political and environmental baggage! Interesting concept...I can see why scientists are so opposed, though it is a politician's wet dream....

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 10:32 AM by EastCoastKid

Originally posted by Gazrok
Sweet....

All of the punch and threat of a nuke without the political and environmental baggage! Interesting concept...I can see why scientists are so opposed, though it is a politician's wet dream....

It could also be a big cash-cow scheme.

Sapphire - the 2005 prediction doesn't seem so unlikely in light of the current madness.

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 10:38 AM by alternateheaven

I seem to remember hearing about a concept like this a few years back that went by the codename "Red Mercury" or something to that effect which was just as destructive as a nuke but had no fallout/radiation. Yet another waste of money when we could be working out effective alternative fuel sources or trying to clean up polution.

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 10:55 AM by The Blade Runner

if its viable weapons tech its allready in production...

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 11:17 AM by Sapphire

Sapphire - the 2005 prediction doesn't seem so unlikely in light of the current madness.

EastCoastKid, If the Gov't closed the Net down that would start a world war guaranteed! People would go Mad

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 11:34 AM by BeingWatchedByThem

Originally posted by alternateheaven
...Yet another waste of money when we could be working out effective alternative fuel sources or trying to clean up polution.

screw alternative fuel (wind, solar, etc.), better technology is here.

www.befreetech.com...

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 11:42 AM by EastCoastKid

Originally posted by alternateheaven
Yet another waste of money when we could be working out effective alternative fuel sources or trying to clean up polution.

Now there's a helluva an idea. Alternateheaven, I nominate you Secretary of Energy. Now get to work!

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 11:43 AM by EastCoastKid

Originally posted by Sapphire

Sapphire - the 2005 prediction doesn't seem so unlikely in light of the current madness.

EastCoastKid, If the Gov't closed the Net down that would start a world war guaranteed! People would go Mad

I can only hope the people won't take it. Unfortunately, far too many are asleep and by the time they wake up, it will be much too late.

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 11:59 AM by alternateheaven

The net/internet can't be shut down, its too large for that now. However the govenment could go the route of china and filter all incoming connections for things they dont want people accessing, which is far more insideous than simply pulling the plug. Even if the Governent shut down all major ISPs, all the wireless gear out there would lead to people setting up covert ISPs along the mexican and canadian borders.

reply posted on 13-11-2003 @ 12:12 PM by EastCoastKid

Originally posted by alternateheaven
The net/internet can't be shut down, its too large for that now. However the govenment could go the route of china and filter all incoming connections for things they dont want people accessing, which is far more insideous than simply pulling the plug. Even if the Governent shut down all major ISPs, all the wireless gear out there would lead to people setting up covert ISPs along the mexican and canadian borders.

Very interesting. I think the internet has become a monster the government never intended. hahahaha!