# Are scalar weapons for real? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879 "2003-08-04T12:50:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 36
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/701 "2003-09-20T22:54:42Z")
**GQ** Of course I’m interested. But, there are too many parties involved to predict anything. It’s not unknown for a publisher to acquire the rights to such books purely for the sake of suppressing them. Isaac Asimov refers to this in his “When No Man Pursueth”. I know Golden’s book will be thorough and accurate. I just don’t know if we’ll ever get to read it. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/702 "2003-09-20T23:01:35Z")
I suspect that we’ll be able to read it, seeing as how (apparently) a large chunk of the book comes from the 75+ articles and essays Golden has written on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/703 "2003-09-20T23:29:22Z")
**Gov Q** , Spielberg and Lucas have optioned the History and are going to produce a film trilogy based on it. Episode IV is tentatively titled _Dr. Hobbes and the Rays of Death_. Harrison Ford will, of course, be Hobbes. The Zottis will be computer generated. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenchslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/94ad74/32.png) [@Wrenchslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenchslinger)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/704 "2003-09-21T02:31:35Z")
Umm… maybe y’all can help me out. I was… let’s just say I was out hiking in the Ramapo Moutains area of NE New Jersey when I stumbled across a box. Inside the box was a, well, this device of some sort. It looked like a cross between one of those battery operated bubble wands you see people hawking in Times Sq. and a Chevy Bel Air. It had these really cool fins, and some really bad-ass looking markings. It was extremely heavy when I picked it up. Maybe about 40-50 lbs. Anyway, long story short. I guess my finger slipped while I was holding it and I must of hit some kind of trigger because I heard this deafening noise that I can’t quite describe. Something like an egg being fried backwards. Next thing I knew I was waking up securely lodged in the upper branches of a nearby poplar tree, and \*\* there was a hole approximately 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep where I had just been standing \*\*. The device disappeared. I searched all over the crater site in vain. And I’ve been trying my damndest to figure out what this thing could have been. Having only just stumbled across this thread I hope that some of you might have some good information. What I’m really concerned abotu is do I need to see a doctor? If this was some form of “death ray” (1920’s style or no) should I be concerned? And what about the warm flushes I’ve been suffering from recently? ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/705 "2003-09-21T02:53:25Z")
**Wrenchslinger** , I got a feelin’ you just made that whole thing up. It was the part about the device disappearing that gave you away. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/706 "2003-09-21T04:03:25Z")
**Vern** , I suspect that you are making an error, as the Zottis didn’t enter the death ray business until several years after the important work by Professor Calvin and Dr. Hobbes from 1919 to 1926. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/707 "2003-09-21T04:38:26Z")
It appears that it will cost $50 for the first volume of Golden’s History, and that it will come out in a five-volume set. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/708 "2003-09-21T07:38:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Is it true that Electro will (finally) become a publicly-held company, after all these years of it being a private firm? \*\* Frankly, I can’t understand why they’re still in business. For legal reasons (stupid confidentiality agreements), I can’t say _how_ I know or exactly _what_ I know, but let’s just say that many of the components which are going into Electro units, really should be going into the scrap pile. They’re using components that no self-respecting manufacturer would use. Most of their designs _aren’t_ patented and considered trade secrets, so it’s possible that the shoddy components (and I **do** mean “shoddy”) that they’re buying could be simply a red herring to try and throw anyone off who’s attempting to back engineer what they’re doing. However, I find that to be _highly_ unlikely considering the amount of components they’re buying. I can’t even see it as being economically viable for them to by the crap components and reworking them to put them in good order. I’m surprised that there hasn’t been a massive product liability lawsuit or recall against their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/709 "2003-09-21T13:51:33Z")
Oh, my. Is the situation as bad over at Rochester and North American? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/710 "2003-09-22T06:24:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Oh, my. > Is the situation as bad over at Rochester and North American? \*\* I’m not really sure. I don’t have the kind of contact with Rochester and North American that I do with Electro. As I said, it’s a rather complicated legal situation with the various confidentiality agreements so I can’t say anymore. If I do come across any information that I can disclose without violating the agreements, I’ll be more than happy to pass them along. ---
**Author:** ![T.Slothrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@T.Slothrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.Slothrop)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/711 "2003-09-22T07:02:51Z")
> [@](#): > > warm flushes maybe 1990’s style… ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/712 "2003-09-22T12:41:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\ ***Vern** , I suspect that you are making an error, as the Zottis didn’t enter the death ray business until several years after the important work by Professor Calvin and Dr. Hobbes from 1919 to 1926. \*\* **Gov. Q** , I meant to say the Zottis will be computer generated in a subsequent episode of the trilogy, _The Zottis Strike Back_ . ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/713 "2003-09-22T13:31:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dnooman \* > \*\*You bastards need to stop. Right now! > \*\* Who do you think you are? King Canute? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/714 "2003-09-23T03:18:21Z")
As I sit here watching _Family Guy_ I can’t help but noticed how many death Rays baby Stewy had. I also can’t help but notice that despite a strong fan base, the show was canceled. Notice also the prolifirations of death ray’s on _Futuerama_ and its cancelation despite an equal loyal fan base. “low ratings” my ass! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/715 "2003-09-23T04:01:07Z")
**MonkeyMule** Oh My God! I mentioned earlier the many recordings of actual death rays used in Thundarr The Barbarian. I also mentioned that only 17 episodes were made. But the connection was too horrible for me to see. Could _they_ have squashed such a marvellous program just to hide clues to their conspiracy? Can human beings sink to such evil? ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/716 "2003-09-23T12:43:25Z")
What conspiracy is this, and, if it’s all powerful, how come I have no problem ordering everything associated with death rays by mail? ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/717 "2003-09-24T00:01:54Z")
On a better note, I just received a copy of Volume I of Golden’s “History of Death Ray”, subtitled “The Beginnings: 1890-1939”, for fact-checking reasons. So far, it seems to be very good. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/718 "2003-09-24T00:05:50Z")
I made a typo above, it’s “The Beginnings: 1890-1919”. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/719 "2003-09-24T01:25:08Z")
Please give me a simple history of the use of 1920’s Style Death Rays in the Israeli-Palestinean conflict. Somebody once told me that 1920’s Style Death Rays were common in Zion’s Friction. 😉 😃 Apologies to Spider Robinson ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879/720 "2003-09-24T12:51:45Z")
1920’s death rays have played no role whatsoever in the Israeli-Palestinean conflict. However, it appears that somehow, the Palestineans got their hands on some 1950’s style death rays (ironically, the only one captured is a B, C, & B), and some of the “suicide bomber” attacks appear to really have been death rays [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scalar-weapons-for-real/192879.md?page=37)