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Think tank pins Apple's iPod as possible culprit for increase in violent crime
We know what you're thinking, and trust us, we're right there with you. Nevertheless, The Urban Institute, a Washington-based think tank, has reportedly come to the conclusion that the reason US violent crime rose in 2005 and 2006 after declining every year since 1991 is because more iPods were on the streets. You heard right -- these researchers are suggesting that the "iCrime wave" occurred primarily due to the popularity of Apple's darling and the relatively high value of possessing one. Granted, the iPod has been the focal point of quite a few muggings in the past, but blaming a fruit-flavored PMP for a nation's sudden urge to take up larceny? Pfft.
Robotic crimelords could undermine police, society at large
We knew there was good reason in conjuring up guidelines for autonomous killbots, and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty has all but confirmed that. According to him, "technology such as cloned part-robot humans used by organized crime gangs pose the greatest future challenge to police" (aside from Nigerian scam artists, of course), and he even suggested that police would need to start seeking help from private defense firms in order to quell the impending chaos. Eloquently dubbed "technology-enabled crime," this apparent epidemic could even lead to "cloned part-person, part-robot" machines that would be next to impossible to stop. Sheesh, and we though haphazard robotic surgeons were our worst nightmare.[Image courtesy of MicroCollection]
