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Posted by: Andrew Clouther

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Apparently a concept from the Pokémon anime inspired the US military to create a new type of non-lethal weapon; a gun that can cause seizures.

Back in 1998, a secret Army intelligence analysis came up with an idea to make a device that would use electronic energy that would overload brains causing someone to convulse.  Through electromagnetic pulses, neurons can be fired all at once to cause disruption of voluntary muscle control.  The electronic field created by this is believed to cause a seizure reaction with a 100% success rate.  Other theorized uses of non-lethal weapons were to cause panic in populations or to raise body temperature.

If you are asking yourself, how does this link to Pokémon, the answer is simple.  In 1997 there was a mysterious illness sweeping across Japan where children were entering vomiting seizures.  The reason for this epilepsy spasms was from watching the flashing lights and images from the Pokémon anime.  The military figured if a cartoon could cause this effect then they should be able to imitate a similar effect. 

This information came from an anonymous person submitting a military report to Wired via the Freedom of Information Act.  Besides all this fun stuff, the military was also working on a “Voice of God” weapon that can implant suggestions into people via radio waves.  Scary scary stuff right there.  None of this stuff can be confirmed but apparently they could work from hundred miles away if they are truly out there; so enjoy that thought.

At least it’s all non-lethal… right?  Right?

Read Wired’s full article HERE and the military report HERE.

[Wired]

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Tags: Pokémon, seizure gun, military