Billionaire Uses Laser to Thwart Paparazzi
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Billionaire, Yacht, Lasers, Paparazzi, Russian | Themes: Business
The Times Online is reporting that the world's biggest and most expensive private yacht is now mounted with lasers. The ship's owner, billionaire Russian oligarchRoman Abramovich, installed the laser shield to protect his privacy from the paparazzi gnats circling his every move. While the imagery could conjure scenes from Star Wars or some other sci-fi movie, his anti-paparazzi defense won't sear holes through flesh and bone... at least, not yet.
Unlike the laser cannons now in use by the government, these infrared lasers simply block any digital camera lenses nearby. After detecting the electronic light sensors of the camera, the laser system fires off a focused beam of light at the camera that in turn disrupts the device's ability to record a digital image. If security guards patrolling on the boat discover a nearby snoop, they can activate the lasers manually and zap any suspicious camera.
Want to feel a twinge of envy (or annoyance, depending on your view)? This yacht is the forth in 42-yer-old Abramovich's fleet. Like some kind of Imperial Star Destroyer, the vessel is highly armored, prepared for piracy on the high seas according to the Times, consisting of a hull and windows capable of withstanding a missile attack. That's right, it can withstand a missile attack. Additionally, there's a mini-submarine stored in the belly, prepped and ready for emergencies. Currently it's parked in a German shipyard, however once it leaves, the yacht will head to France where it will be fitted with a missile defense system.
So we have to ask: why bother with the wimpy lasers when the boat will be equipped with missiles? Might as well just blow those nosy paparazzi out of the water and do the world some good. Then again, we wouldn't have anything to look at while standing in line at the grocery store.
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You cant shoot missiles at them while in national waters.
On the open seas I am also betting (in a nerd fantasy sort of way) that the lasers can be set to "lethal"... one day.
Funny article. Let's just hope he doesn't want to start World War III.
"This yacht is the forth in 42-yer-old Abramovich's fleet." - What is this, pirate-speak?
Wow, what a waste of money. Although I don't blame him for wanting to maintain his privacy.
Things you do when you have tooooo much money......Well he brings up a point of how annoying they could get.
"Want to feel a twinge of envy (or annoyance, depending on your view)? This yacht is the forth in 42-yer-old Abramovich's fleet. "
I am envious of the days when proofreading mattered...
forth != fourth
Well that will keep them way. although i still like the missle idea.
"Currently it's parked in a German shipyard, however once it leaves, the yacht will head to France where it will be fitted with a missile defense system."
Oh, and "Missile defense system" != "missiles"...
Think: a puff of smoke, flares, and bits of foil (laser guidance, heat seeking, and radar countermeasures).
Meaning the focusing assist light? I don't see how someone can detect the metering sensor or the CMOS sensor itself from afar. Even than, on a bright day, focusing assist light is auto disabled.
Now that is privacy! on the open sea and not even a telephoto lens can see him. That would b nice! Wild parties out in the open !
That is absolutely wicked! Man i want one of them boats!
The heck with the yacht, Put this on my car to defeat photo radar!!!
The heck with the yacht, Put this on my car to defeat photo radar!!!
You cant shoot missiles at them while in national waters. On the open seas I am also betting (in a nerd fantasy sort of way) that the lasers can be set to "lethal"... one day.
Who knows if they are paparazzi or pirates? Im pretty sure if you use the "Its coming right for us!" excuse, you can get away with almost anything in international waters.
missile defense system that shouldnt be allowed on a non goverment boat
Awesome. I would think that it would just be easier to use a focused EMP to permanently disable their digital cameras
. I Don't think this will do much against good old fashion Film though.
French Missile Defense System = White Flag
Missile Defense System....HMMMmmmmm
So it DEFENDS AGAINST missiles? or does it DEFEND WITH missiles?
I know what I would chose. Fight missiles with bigger missiles.
That's okay. All the pirates will find the small thermal exhaust port on the stern of the ship.
Apparently this guy has never heard of film based cameras.
I highly doubt this will stop anything or anyone from taking pictures.
Pretty obvious with the pirates lurking the seas.
Yes, pirates faggots. They're real.
Missle defense system DOESN'T USE MISSLES YOU STUPID 12 YEAR OLDS.
IT USES LASERS.
/facepalm
i bet he has robot butlers that double as assassins too. one minute they are shaking your martini, the next they are shaking you in the martini. your guests would consume the evidence and they get the rap. what an evil genius.
The problem should be tracked at the source, the tangible one at least, those who are willing to pay the paparazzi for such photos, magazines and web pages. Paparazzi themselves are just parasites who don't want to do anything better for the money, but it's their choice as long as people pay them.
)
Of course, if all could suddenly stop reading gossip magazines and web, it would be a better world, but that's shooting to the moon (lasers can do that
I sure am glad 99.99999% of the population makes absolutely nothing an hour, so lunatics such as this, living on the backs of the former, can protect the privacy they clearly don't deserve.
I sure am glad 99.99999% of the population makes absolutely nothing an hour, so lunatics such as this, living on the backs of the former, can protect the privacy they clearly don't deserve.
The world is not a zero-sum game. A person being wealthy does not mean that others are necessarily kept in abject poverty.
This "lunatic" was born to a fairly typical Russian family. His parents both died at an early age he was raised by his grandmother. In the early 80s, he made his first money selling black-market merchandise... not guns or drugs, but things like purfume, deodorant, blue jeans, etc. After the reforms of Gorbachev which allowed individuals to own private businesses, he started selling rubber ducks. Then he got into pig farms, then into stock trading and other investments.
The guy is not a criminal, he doesn't exploit or defraud people. He's just a very successful businessman. People like this, and Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, Sam Walton, and Michael Dell, and Ross Perot, etc., etc. are the people who make things happen in the world. Their endeavors have resulted, collectively, in millions of jobs (which in turn add prosperity to millions more), and contributed to wealth creation on an unprecedented scale.
Instead of parading your ignorance and jealousy, perhaps you should take some time to learn about economics and capitalism. In lieu of that, perhaps it would be best if you just keep your self-righteous indignation to yourself.
He is Rrssian and also has that kind of a boat right..? I bet they could make his life till now a movie on how he made all that money. Would be really interesting on why he has that equipment if you ask me
Will it work vs Traffic light cameras?? i'm in for one if i can find it with a Cashback discount!!
Why not just use EMP weapons? I bet if you fry one of the paparazzi DSLRs they'll keep away.
Guess a 35mm camera will have to do for the pictures...
Reminds me of Space Balls... "I said across the nose not up it!" lol