We're Jammin', Hope You Like Jammin' Too

theodp writes "Slate ponders whether a climate where anything can be photographed or surreptitiously recorded means the once-esoteric world of cell-phone jamming will become mainstream. Sites now offer portable cell-phone jammers that can provide you with the same kind of security bubbles used to thwart industrial spies, hostage-takers and bomb detonators. While actively jamming a cell-phone signal is illegal in the US, a distributor reports most of his sales go to US customers, including universities which use the technology to stop students from diddling away on phones during lectures."

Aw man...

[OtakuHawk]

At first I thought this post had something to do with music!

Nice.

[The_Unforgiven]

I wouldn't mind being able to jam phones within, say, 10 feet of me. One of my biggest pet peeves is people on their cell phones. Because, you know, the further away they are, the louder you have to yell into the phone for them to hear you...

Business Opportunity

[DaneelGiskard]

1) Build a device which detects the jamming signal.
2) Sell it to "those anti-social types" (quote from article) who would like to use their phone
3) Watch them kick each others butt

I'm glad...

[Throat constant]

I don't have a cell phone. There's too much drama involved.

Re:Aw man...

[Anonymous Coward]

As a representative of the RIAA we request that you here by cease and desist all usage of the word "music". The word "music" is copyright material of the RIAA.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Great, now I'm going to be hearing...

[Braintrust]

the dulcet tones of Chief Wiggum in my head all morning...

Re:Jammer locator...

[Anonymous Coward]

And then... and then we'd need jammer locator jammers.. and jammer locator jammer locators!

House Rules

[monstermagnet]

There's a cute little brewpub in Solon Iowa with prominent sign stating that anyone whose cell phone goes off buys a round for the house.

There's more than one way to deal with inappropriate rings ..

Re:Tempting.

[carpe_noctem]

I agree in most places you just have to live with it. At the same time in places like Movies, Hospitals, Library's, Elevators I consider it your right to terminate their call.

That's no fun. It's a lot more entertaining to see if you can get them to end it for you:

Them: "yeah.... yeah... sounds good, well, I'll take care of that right away blah blah blah"
You (loudly, to friend): "Oh, man, so last night, my girlfriend suck her finger up my ASS right she started to suck me off, and I fucking CAME with a VENEGENCE."
Friend: "Oh yeah? No shit?!"
Them: "...."
You: "Yeah, and you won't BELIEVE what happened after THAT!"
Them: "erm, Bob, I'm gonna have to call you back.... I'll catch you in the office tomorrow... ok yeah, goodbye"

Re:Cellphones are the Anti-Christ, Cameras in Clas

[drix]

Don't people know those things sound as stupid as coffee can mufflers on Honda Civics?

In my experience, the people "rocking" Beethoven (or, even better, some sort of Dragonball Z-inspired theme) on their cells are the people who then drive off in their coffee-can mufflered, lowered, clear-taillight Civic hatchbacks. So the answer to your question is no :)

So how do you know when you're being jammed?

[grassy_knoll]

Shades of Spaceballs....

Caller: yadda yadda yadda... huh? *blink* *blink*
Bystander: Whats wrong?
Caller: I just got cut off... and there's this goop comming out of my cell..
Bystander: *rubs finger in goop* *licks finger* ... hmmm... rasberry... dude, youre getting jammed!

Heck, I'd settle if they only jammed Nextel

[elliotweston]

Cretinous users of Nextel phones have got to be the worst. For those who haven't experienced this, it's all the fun of hearing one side of a conversation, together with the other side of the conversation, _and_ a piercing BEEP-BEEP when the half-duplex switches directions. Beyond the merely rude, these devices monopolize any environment they're in. So far, my only countermeasures have been to face the user and shout "Breaker 1-9" at random intervals.

If only it were legal...

[Angram]

I think a taser [taser.com] might be a more interesting solution.

They have a stand-off distance of 15 feet, so you should have no problem creating a nice quiet area around you.

Happy hunting ;)

Re:Cellphones are the Anti-Christ, Cameras in Clas

[gcaseye6677]

In other words, people who are desperately starved for attention, and willing to look as ridiculous as possible to get it.

Re:Heck, I'd settle if they only jammed Nextel

[Anonymous Coward]

Cretinous users of Nextel phones have got to be the worst. For those who haven't experienced this, it's all the fun of hearing one side of a conversation, together with the other side of the conversation, _and_ a piercing BEEP-BEEP when the half-duplex switches directions. Beyond the merely rude, these devices monopolize any environment they're in. So far, my only countermeasures have been to face the user and shout "Breaker 1-9" at random intervals.

Somewhat annoying in an open public space where I can walk away. Extremely annoying when I'm seated/standing in an enclosed space and they're within earshot. I find that repeating the person's conversation usually gets them to shut up on the subway or bus. Additionally, on the subway, I generally get a bit more space to sit as people clear away from me.

On the bus ride home in the evening, people like to conduct business on their cell phones. They tend to give out their cell phone numbers to the person/answering machine on the other end of the line. Write these numbers down! They're quite valuable when signing up for that "Free" magazine subscription that requires your phone number. Bathroom walls make good places to keep those numbers handy, too.

Re:Cellphones are the Anti-Christ, Cameras in Clas

[kgbkgb]

Curry chicken from a chinese place?
Odd :)