They say that sometimes the only way to get through to those you hold dear is with some tough love, so if you're just about at the end of your rope with a naughty, incorrigible pet gerbil, hamster, cat or guinea pig, it may be time to consider confining little Nibbles or Fluffy in a small electrified cage. For those of you who don't know how to build such a, um, specialty product -- and who would probably electrocute yourselves trying to figure it out -- Metacafe member NK5 has posted a handy how-to video on transforming an old CRT monitor into the power source for what is essentially a miniature version of those fences you see surrounding prisons and meth labs while driving along rural highways. Of course, NK5 also suggests a number of other, more pedestrian uses for the contraption, but embark on this project entirely at your own risk -- we're talking 30,000+ volts coursing through that cage. Check out the vid after the break...
Note: No animals were harmed in the writing of this post, and Engadget does not actually endorse shocking small pets, only snuggling them.
Update: Whoa, looks like some people didn't watch the video before leaving a comment. If you had, you'd know that it has nothing to do with making a "cat prison," and we only put that spin on this post to highlight the absurdity of the imagery. Still, we apologize to those of you who consider this to be a promotion of animal cruelty, and promise to give our own pets an extra tummy rub tonight in repentance.
[Thanks, Aaron C.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Matt O @ Aug 30th 2007 1:10AM
you guys are assholes for putting this up
John Doe @ Aug 30th 2007 1:47AM
They may be assholes but you have no sense of humor.
eqsf @ Aug 30th 2007 7:20AM
it is clearly a joke that the cat was in there while it was off, much like you'd perhaps take a a funny picture of your friend in alcatrass (a historic prison) if you visit it.
but whether or not you think it's a joke, it's responsible journalism to show everything, good or bad, ethical or not, joke or not, that others do. if Apple is coming out with a new iToaster, Engadget would probably report on it. if the taser company came out with a new pocketable weapon, you'd probably think it would be troublesome and unethical, but it's important as a news source that it's made known. if someone comes out with a video about making a DIY electric fence, Engadget can be the one to make it known so people can debate whether on not it's ethical and whatnot.
so really, don't blame Engadget here, they're just the messenger, and as a *good* news source they are posting a variety of stuff, good, bad, and questionable.
and yes, it's a joke, get over it. think of it like a photo of yourself in a castle dungeon you visit in Europe. those dungeons were the site of brutal torture and inhumane activity, yet you have a picture of a *person* in there nowadays? omg!
Geir E @ Aug 30th 2007 9:08AM
Did any of those saying "animal cruelty" watch the video? the cat was in the cage in one scene after other silly suggestions. it was just one of many jokes. It's a good example of people freaking out of something taken out of context.
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 30th 2007 10:59PM
In China and Vietnam, they call that dinner in a frying pan...
Vanilla Spice @ Aug 30th 2007 11:28PM
No, eqsf, it is most certainly NOT responsible journalism to show everything, good or bad, ethical or not. You haven't actually studied or even done the most cursory of research into journalism, have you?
Responsible journalists wouldn't publish someone's private medical records, they wouldn't publish false and defamatory accusations, they wouldn't publish material encouraging a criminal act, they wouldn't publish pictures of naked minors, they wouldn't publish material they've plagiarised, they wouldn't publish the identity of a CIA agent, and they wouldn't publish anything violent or sexually explicit in an open channel that minors can access.
And they wouldn't needlessly publish a "joke" that encourages criminal and tortuous acts, like this posting by Engadget. Animal torture happens, it is not a joke. Desensitising people makes it happen more frequently, it is not a joke.
Engadget and Metacafe ought to apologise for publishing this. No media outlet that takes itself seriously would have published it. It is not a joke, and that has absolutely nothing to do with anyone's sense of humour.
Despite Engadget's update, it is clear that this does have something to do with making a cat prison, since that was one of the uses demonstrated in the video (yeah, I watched it before commenting).
You chose to put the photo of the cat at the top of the article, Engadget, you didn't choose the piggy bank or beer or wallet. So don't try and diminish your culpability or pretend that you were really "highlighting the absurdity of the imagery" (what crap), no, you actually recommended this product for those wishing to commit crimes on their pets, that's still there in your text.
You said, if you're having trouble building an electrified cat fence, try this. I want you to think about that. Would you have published a joke along the lines of, "If you're having trouble dismembering your friend, check out this electric-powered cleaver" ?
If at all responsible, you would have thought, "hold on, what if we do publish and just one kid out there doesn't 'get' the joke, and actually cuts off his friend's arm?" That is exactly what you should have thought about this "joke".
We aren't "considering" this a promotion of animal cruelty. It IS a promotion of animal cruelty. You ought to apologise, not apologise for your readers, how insulting and simultaneously buck-passing. You are at fault, not your readers - if they want to apologise they can do it themselves, they don't need you to do it for them.
Andrew @ Aug 31st 2007 3:16AM
It's a blog, not the Wall Street Journal. They aren't responsible for what they post. If you're offended, get over it. Ban Christmas while you're at it.
Vanilla Spice @ Sep 2nd 2007 10:54PM
Not responsible for what they post? Are you insane?
Of course they're responsible for what they post - everyone is responsible for their actions! And legally, as well as ethically, yes they are responsible for what they post, there's no question about that.
It doesn't matter one whit whether this is Engadget or The Wall Street Journal, that makes no difference at all to the legal question, and is a pretty poor defence against the ethical problem - what, it's okay for Engadget to publish unacceptable material because they're not as widely-read as the Journal? That makes no sense at all.
I am amazed at the lack of journalistic understanding being portrayed here. The fact I'm lowest ranked and that you all don't like what I have to say, doesn't mean I'm wrong about journalists having responsibilities. It doesn't mean I'm wrong that there are many things that responsible journalists would refuse to publish.
If any of you want to actually go and find out the truth about that, instead of just defending Engadget with an uninformed mind, then I encourage you to do so.
Ban Christmas? Oh yes, there are just so many parallels between Christmas and electrocuting animals. What a great and useful comparison.
If you actually had a decent argument against what I said, then you would have offered it instead of that Christmas crap.
mmiikey @ Aug 30th 2007 1:11AM
seriously? that's fucked up, that kittie is adorable!
macona @ Aug 30th 2007 12:36PM
All cats are evil incarnate.
es @ Aug 30th 2007 1:15AM
You can tell the cage isn't on when the kitten is in there.
tengda @ Aug 30th 2007 1:20AM
why don't they build a house with electronic fance and put their grandma in it and take a picture, with or without the power turnned on.
Andir3.0 @ Aug 30th 2007 6:56AM
That's a good idea tengda!
tengda @ Aug 30th 2007 1:16AM
that's sad. Why are you guys posting this? It's pointless.
Shame on you guys! Take it off if you still have some dignity left, please.
Ayle @ Aug 30th 2007 11:07AM
Just give up...
David @ Aug 30th 2007 1:16AM
What's next, teaching kids how to make a home brew guillotine?
Andir3.0 @ Aug 30th 2007 7:28AM
It's been done already... jeeze, where have you been?
http://www.metaphor.dk/guillotine/Pages/drawing1792.html
If you really wanted to know.
Samsam @ Aug 30th 2007 1:17AM
Don't you all get it? That kitty was "in their server, eating their bandwidth."
Clearly that's why it's in prison.
Adam @ Aug 30th 2007 1:18AM
That rocks, of course I really dont like cats or other small animals so I think thats pretty funny.
The General @ Aug 30th 2007 2:40AM
You don't like cats? Wow, go back to driving your Ford pick-em-up truck, drinking tall boys of MGD, watching football on your 4:3 rear projection "big screen TV" that sits in the same living room as your AOL $300 PC connected through dialup, and pet your dumb, trainable, personality lacking disappointment of a pet that doesn't even clean itself, much less dig a hole to shit in.
Cats > Dogs
Rjay @ Aug 30th 2007 3:28AM
To The General:
Its Ford "pick-up". And if you werent busy drinking your Green Tea Mocha-latte from Starbucks while blogging on your refurbished powerbook and watching re-runs of Trading Spaces on that cheap plasma tv you bought at Target with your "life-partner" you would have probably appreciated the sarcasm and humor of these comments. But then again youre just as stuck-up and self-absorbed as your feline friend.
mike @ Aug 30th 2007 4:23AM
WOW!. That is the best reply I ever read for an online ocmment, followed by an even better comback reply by another. I cant stop laughing.
BTW, Dogs > Cats
The General @ Aug 30th 2007 10:56AM
Yep, that was superb. :-)
Andrew @ Aug 30th 2007 3:14PM
Oh my.....that string of comments made me fall on the ground laughing for the first time in several years and made me leave my comment hiatus on Engadget. Albeit, I don't like hillbillies and 4:3, I [i]really[/i] don't like how smug a cat owner can be.
Dogs>cats
Ed @ Aug 31st 2007 3:40AM
OMG. I don't appreciate the posting, I think it was a little tasteless. I can understand a joke... but that was the best farking comeback of all time. I think I peed myself. I am still wiping tears away writing this. Rjay: +1000, The General: -2
P.S - You're all wrong. Dogs aren't less then or equal to Cats. They just eat them.
Adam @ Aug 31st 2007 3:58PM
I actually drive a 2003 VW Jetta Wagon and I use a Toshiba Notebook. I dont really like dogs much either. Iam more of a fish person.
dudup @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:15AM
"Hello, I'm a cat!"
"And I'm a Dog"
strider_mt2k @ Aug 30th 2007 1:20AM
I'd be willing to bet that kitty did something to warrant being put in the slammer.
As for the electric fence: Don't wiz on it.
John Doe @ Aug 30th 2007 1:49AM
Hey you can wiz on an electric fence. Its all in timing your jump.
John @ Aug 30th 2007 1:25AM
TAKE THIS OFF! This is sick and has no journalistic merit whatsoever. I enjoy reading Engadget because it is a consistent source for RELEVANT gadget and technology news that adds a welcome dash of sarcasm and commentary. Putting up a post about animal cruelty facilitates none of this.
I sincerely doubt Engadget wants to become known as the "Michael Vick" of gadget blogs.
Respectfully,
John
John Doe @ Aug 30th 2007 1:50AM
Get bent. It was a fucking joke.
Airhab @ Aug 30th 2007 1:14PM
Amen to that!
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 30th 2007 2:53AM
Engadget is not CNN; silly goose, it's a BLOG. You are supposed to --insert opinion or irrelevant topic here--
I am sure you still don't get it, so here is a link for you to study:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 30th 2007 5:24AM
Besides, if you want the topic of Gadgets; this fits right in with electronic recycling and those MAKEzene style how to guides posted on engadget from time to time.
John @ Aug 30th 2007 1:25AM
I think it's worthy of a post on engadget - it's certainly interesting, if rather morally disgusting. And it qualifies as a gadget. Just because something isn't nice doesn't make it not news. Plus, now all you indignant animal lovers can go yell at the guy who made it. Win-win baby.
jan @ Aug 30th 2007 1:30AM
Hm..as a new Junkbotter and old parts scrambler you always get warned about those condensators in TV's
poor cat, but t realy looks like it wasnt on...so
btw...seen the citty washing mashine shower thingy, clean cat, well smelling, but not very amused cat^^
Johnny English @ Aug 30th 2007 1:31AM
Well even though I very much dislike cats, this doesn't amuse me one bit. Goodbye Engadget. It's been a great ride (downhill) for 2+ years.
John B @ Aug 30th 2007 2:25PM
See, Engadget needs to do this more often in order to weed out those with no sense of humor.
Bye, Johnny English! Don't let the mouse hit you in the ass on the way to clicking the "X" in the corner of the browser!
paccoast2010 @ Aug 30th 2007 1:32AM
Is it really necessary to publish a how-to video (I'm not watching it, BTW) on something similar to tasering a cat?
0bliv!on @ Aug 30th 2007 2:06AM
Stop with the outrage already, since you already admitted that you haven't watched it and have no idea what you're outraged about, and are only basing your outrage on your own misguided assumptions.
btw, this is at most 1/1000000 the strength of a taser.
eqsf @ Aug 30th 2007 7:09AM
no, it's not "at most" 1/1000000th the st rength of a taser. i wouldn't be surprised if this is actually stronger than a taser. there have been stories of people even dying from the shock of a CRT monitor. that isn't static electricity that there, that's arcing from a DC source. so it can be pretty bad. and yes, get over it, there was never actually a cat put in there. it's a joke.
Cardbored @ Aug 30th 2007 1:32AM
Wow people, get a sense of humor, he wasn't building it for the sole purpose of putting his cat into it. He adds it on at the end as a joke. Seriously...
Matt @ Aug 30th 2007 1:33AM
What the hell are you guys thinking? This used to be a great site - this represents a major lapse in reason - stick to new gadgets and leave the animal torture alone.
Oskorei @ Aug 30th 2007 4:33AM
Best comment.
eqsf @ Aug 30th 2007 7:12AM
omg, get a life. if the story was titled "how to build a personal electric cage for your naughty friends" you'd get that it was a joke because it would be torturing people. same thing. the article is meant for sane people.
Killian @ Aug 30th 2007 1:34AM
the point of the video wasn't to build a electric cat cage, and it's not like they just threw the cat at it and killed it. The thing wasn't even on. Engadget just highlighted that 1 second clip from the video so people like you would get all uppity. More importantly, they trapped perfectly good alcohol I could be drinking right now...
Dave @ Aug 30th 2007 1:34AM
I miss bonsai kittens.... mine died years ago.
NickB @ Aug 30th 2007 4:15AM
When your bonsai kitten passes on, you may wish to look into "kittigami", the art of kitten folding.
Suvi @ Aug 30th 2007 1:39AM
It's not about being "not nice", but downright criminal. At least in Scandinavia you could get fined for torturing an animal if you posted such videos or pics.
It is gadget alright. What I didnt get is why Engadget chose to concentrate on this aspect instead of the more humorous uses of the fence.
coffeepot64 @ Aug 30th 2007 5:54AM
It got your attention didn't it...