China, much like villains in James Bond films, has a weather-modification office whose sole purpose is to, just like the sign on the door says, control the weather. It has already developed methods for bringing rain to drought-stricken areas by using rockets filled with either dry ice or chemicals like silver iodide to force moisture to build up and form rain clouds. Now China has announced plans to bring out the big guns out for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, promising to keep rain away for the entire games. By sampling potential rain clouds, the scientists will be able to determine the best way to neutralize their race-soggying potential. Then when they shoot the clouds "less intensively" than if they were going for rain, Chinese meteorologists/mad scientists believe they'll be able to cause the clouds to dissipate without downpouring onto the city. Future plans reportedly include building a giant frickin' laser on the moon, but those are currently unconfirmed.
CNN, via Geekologie
editor@dvice.com
By fathereric at 6:04 PM ON 06/08/06
Weather modification?!
Why not just build a domed, climate-controlled city? That would be much cooler and it would eliminate the whole "oops, I think we just caused the end of the world" thingy when their experiment goes seriously awry.
Of course, maybe it's just posturing:
"So the Greeks STARTED the olympics, huh? Big deal. WE can control the weather! Let's see Zeus try that one..."
By AdmLancel at 3:27 AM ON 06/09/06
You just know Zeus is going to hit the Olympic Torch with a lightning bolt after that declaration.
By courtney2018 at 11:49 AM ON 06/12/06
Reminds me of Star Trek and the whole Weather Net thing they had.
By fragsta at 6:44 AM ON 06/15/06
That's frickin' awesome! Just like in Red Alert 2, except it's not Einstein developing the device! Can't wait to see this... could become a weapon though, oo-er!
By undercovercylon at 10:06 AM ON 06/15/06
The Russian�s have had similar technology for years, and they share their tech with China, so I�m not surprised that China has developed it as well.
Do you think we�ll have to quit blaming God for natural disasters now, and create a new blame phrase? Instead of it being an act of God, on our insurance claim, it could be an act of China.
Free online comics @ www.terriblelizardcomics.com
By ShadowChild at 8:30 PM ON 06/15/06
Omg I love RA2!!! We should play sometime Fragsta =) I never thought Id see the day when a real weather control device. Thats the first thing I thought of too lol. Weird. What next? A chronosphere? (better not give them any ideas though...)
By gajaguar at 10:40 AM ON 06/26/06
I wouldn't worry too much about the Chinese going all crazy with their Weather Dominator. I am sure they are quite familiar with the problems Cobra had with the technology in the early 80's.
By collective at 9:31 PM ON 03/26/08
and if they have this why do we still have massive damage hurricanes?