[Noisebridge-discuss] Lasers for Noisebridge

[Jacob Appelbaum]

Rick Wesson wrote:
> <wet blanket>

Awww, You're not a wet blanket. But you should come to see the space
more often! You'd understand that while totally valid, you shouldn't be
fearful of the lasers. Love the lasers. :-)

> 
> NB: management/board
> 
>   Whats your liability insurance cover in the case someone points a IR lazer at
>   a reflective material and blindes one or more ppl?
> 

I do not know the status of coverage for lasers blinding people in a
freak accident. Perhaps David knows off hand from his discussions with
the insurance agent? David?

> Is NB incorporated or is the board and its members personally liabable?
> 

We're incorporated and we're insured. Additionally, the board has
liability insurance. I'm unsure if we're covered for this specific issue
and someone should check.

> since there is a well documented email thread on the topic of safety, me thinks
> you should think real hard about bringing such devices by for untrained hands to
> play with at their whim.
> 
> </wet blanket>

In my humble opinion, if I may be so bold:

You enter Noisebridge at your own risk. We have all accepted this,
especially the members who go through a... "vigorous process" to
participate in our consensus process. Those that do not accept this
should steer clear of our little lab.

Please do not misunderstand me, I do not wish to suggest that
Noisebridge is inherently dangerous. Rather, I wish to convey that
you're the one responsible for your own safety. Just as you are in the
rest of the world. We all try to keep the place awesome and safe (as you
pointed out, we do have a lot of discussions on safety) but nothing is
perfect. No life guard is posted for duty, no one is paid to keep things
within any specific definition of deny-by-default rule set. People could
be powering up lasers in the space right now (I bet they are with their
CD/DVD-ROM drives!).

While I'm certain that there are many things that could be viewed as a
bad idea, I do not think that anyone should think too hard about
*bringing* a laser to the space. Or a laser diode. Or mirrors.

Just as I don't think it's a big deal if people bring in fire art
equipment, how it's used is important. We try to keep the fire outside
in the street, where it belongs. :-)

In this case, it almost goes without saying that people shouldn't blind
each other or put people in direct or indirect danger. I assume by
default that this is the case for people who use the space.

I think people who use the laser should think long and hard before they
power it up. I'm fairly certain that they will and they (not I) started
this thread. Perhaps they'll (wink, wink; nudge, nudge) teach a workshop
on how to safely use the lasers?

We have lots of equipment that, if misused, could seriously harm people.
>From photo chemicals to RF equipment; the phrase that comes to mind is:
"Responsibility to the responsible." We'll ventilate the dark room and
we'll shield the RF when needed; I don't see why the lasers will be any
different, the people involved are the same reasonable and responsible
people that have made and keep the space totally amazing.

With that said: Don't look into the lasers with your last good remaining
eye!

Best,
Jake