The June 2nd New Yorker has a piece of interest on “non-lethal” weapons.  It discusses a Marine and ex-LA cop and his experiences with non-lethal weapons as one of the leading “experts.”  Indeed, this is a fuzzy area and there are many other terms for “non-lethal.”  My favorite is the MAD device which shoots planar sound waves over a mile, so you can freak out people with sound, or whisper messages to somebody you are rescuing.  Reminded me of the Audio Spotlight developed at the MIT Media Lab.  It was also interesting that the most effective non-lethal weapon for stopping cars would be one that turns off or throttles the computer that controls the ignition.  My question to you: What would you do if you were put into the position where people wanted to harm you?

Abstract only right now:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/02/080602fa_fact_wilkinson