How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

Thr3e — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:20:39 GMT

Why does everyone who is criticizing this article have huge negative points? Is everyone so afraid that a little criticism of the good doctor and this article/video will cause him to cower in a corner and give up his quest for health? This isn't the Dr. Mercola fan club, it's supposed to be a place where like minded people can have candid discussions on what's good and right in regards to health. Dinging somebody just because you don't like what they say and you're doing the whole group a disservice by driving away people who contribute worthwhile and diverse thoughts. Save your negative votes for people who are using this 'forum' to show the world how funny they are and don't have anything worthwhile to add to the discussion.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

skcscuba — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:46:27 GMT

I have a M.S. in radiation biophysics. I say this only because I hope that it will persuade you to consider my comments carefully. I am not a cautious person, made made my first laser from a He Ne tube, nitro-glycerin (worked too well) as a teenager and worse yet still drive after drinking too much. I believe that every law abiding household should have a gun after properly training the family. I almost grabbed my old cd writer to make one of these, but after about 10 seconds I realized how incredibly dangerous this device is. Pay particular attention to the writer who talked about how the first thing anyone does when they pick up a flashlight is turn it on and point it at their face to see if it works. How would you like to permanently blind your 5 year old granddaughter or whoever. THIS DEVICE WILL DEFINITELY DO THIS! It will not start fires except under special conditions and is really not that dangerous EXCEPT TO THE EYES. That is the real danger. It seems so harmless that it begs to be abused. Most people quickly realize the danger of guns, napalm and automobiles. This device reminds me of the German booby traps from WW2. A fountain pen with just enough explosive to cripple you for life. The other real danger is that unlike a gun which is, with rare exception, only dangerous in the direction which it is pointing, the laser easily can be just as powerful after after multiple reflections and STILL IRREVERSIBLY FRY THE FIRST AVAILABLE RETINA. This isn't about first or second amendment rights. It's normally not a good idea to let poisonous snakes loose in your house.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

cmichaelo — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:03:46 GMT

I can not imagine this is a legal use of a class 3b laser device. It is downright irresponsible...not unlike having a gun in your home. The difference is that the laser doesn't have the power to kill someone. However, the laser could easily be used for malicious purposes by kids or immature grownups in such a way that it's impossible to link the damage/crime with the perpetrator. It's the perfect weapon to ruin somebody's life. Thanks for sharing this.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

barbeena — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:41:00 GMT

I'm really surprised to see this type of instruction on this site. Haven't we heard enough about kids, in particular, that find instructions on the internet and build an item that they sometimes use foolishly causing pain or distruction with it. It's not always even done deliberately....... maybe just out of ignorance.

I refer people to this site to learn about health related issues and hope this type of potentially dangerous information is kept off in the future.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

l2readbooks — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:54:36 GMT

Lol @ dangerous and take it off. Have some faith in common sense. Kids play with things much more dangerous than a laser pointer that can pop a balloon.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

E. Choli — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:01:27 GMT

Alright. In my perspective, a lot of the negative comments regarding this are very scared, sheepish comments. I mean come on! Terrorists? There are things all around you that can be used as weapons. A fingernail file, magnesium shavings from an old VW Bug engine. Why live in fear? So what if the good Doc posted a vid about turning a DVD burner into a laser. Sheesh, you can buy the same frequency laser on EBay for cripes sake.

Do you really think that there is going to be a sudden rash of kids or adults doing this? And if so, so what? Next you are going to talk about keeping your kids indoors, so that they don't get exposed to Dihydrogen Monoxide!!! Gawd, that would be awful. By the way, that is H2O.

Get over the fear. Look around, outside of your TV. Life is dangerous, get over it. But, if life is lived in fear, it isn't lived at all.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

tapelt — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:19:02 GMT

eHealth News you can use...

Take control of your health...

What has a flashlight laser got to do with health?

Might pay to employ someone to screen the content of the newsletter?

Starting to become the Doctor's Facebook...

Please stay focussed.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

Toddah — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 03:50:53 GMT

These comments bring to mind a song called Hippies Lament by Wally Pleasant, an East Lansing musician. It goes like this..."I'm self rightious, pretensious, and politically correct..." Is it possible to be both a social activist and have a sense of humor. Hmm, ponder that.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

savethemales — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 18:08:03 GMT

I was about to read the article on raw milk, but saw the link to the article on turning a flashlight into a laser. At first I thought the point of the article (since it mentioned lighting matches first) was going to be for wilderness survival--then I saw the requirement for a DVD burner and soldering, so I don't think that even McGuyver would find it useful. I guess now we can watch the sales of DVD burners instead of throwaway cell phones to see how safe we are. Between islamist radicals and campus crazies, I'm pretty sure this article did not need the addition of your wide audience (not to mention your search engine referrals). Not sure how this article promotes health anyway--quite the opposite, given the warnings.

Sorry..... I usually enjoy your articles, but this one is close to irresponsible. Yes, it can be accessed elsewhere on the internet, but it appears it's been used to get attention for announcing your labor day free shipping. I'm disappointed. It would have been a more responsible and ethical choice to save this article for your personal email list.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

MTOakey — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:38:44 GMT

And what's wrong with McGyverism, it has got to be better for the brain than just sitting there vegetating or playing video games.

Now let's think about what could happen if we stop giving kids soda (and HighFructoseCornSuryp juices) and candy and fast foods - and medication that lazy 'social sheep' doctors prescribe to treat non-existent disorders, divert all that misdiagnosed 'ADHD' energy (aka. youth) to directed thinking, exploration, experimentation, adventure, fun activities???

And actually do some of all this with our kids instead of drugging them up and/or leaving them with babysitters or worse alone and to their own devices? (remember the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, if not then my point has been made apparent) Carpe Diem because Tempus fugit, and Primum Non Nocere. That is what we should be teaching our future.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

MTOakey — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:18:38 GMT

I applaud you Doc !!!

1st Amendment. Don't let weenies, wimps, or Liberals force you to remove anything from your website. Your disclaimer after the write up need not even be present because you can not be held responsible for someone else's ignorance & stupidity.

2nd Amendment. Need I say more.

My 11 year old daughter and I made this and her response was "COOL!" can I use it in as a Science project some how?

I too use to "play" with the techie components when I was a kid. We did find ruby chips cheap and rubbed & grinded our own lenses with cesium powder, we built rocket engines with common stuff from the local pharmacy's shelves, explosive to say the least, but fun and a learning experience! Interest in the sciences and math has dwindled in the past couple of decades and we really need to foster more interest in them just to be able to stay competitive with our world neighbors (aka. Korea, Iran, China) The 50's & 60's had an explosion of technical achievements and ideas that certain people went after with fervor. Just look at 'Star Trek' and think cell phone, PDA, DNA and other medical advances CAT, CT, MRI, EEG just to mention a few.

Ideas and Information sharing is what can light the flame of interest in a young mind rather than the Music & Sex culture that seems to be running our children's lives in recent history.

Now, if you'll excuse me, My daughter and I are going to see what else we can ignite with our new toy... maybe a heilium filled - no wait, what would happen if we put more than 1 laser on it and maybe a more powerful energy source, sorry I GOTTA go... ;-)

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

lynne1109 — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:39:20 GMT

I wonder how many kids are monkeying with this in their basements right now. And why don't we give terrorists some more ideas with this. Can you take a flashlight onto a plane?

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

Florencia — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:23:24 GMT

This is unwise (and childish) - just like "How to Start a Fire Using a Pop Can and a Chocolate Bar"

D-U-M-B

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

Jerske — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:04:04 GMT

Well, well DOCTOR Mercola what a what a wonderful item to have in our arsenal of weapons and coming from someone who professes to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath. Just what did you have in mind publishing this kind of destructive device on the Internet??? If one person uses this information to create havoc by reading the information on your website, in my opinion, you are culpable of aiding, abetting and responsible for liablity to whomever may be hurt. I would hope you will refrain from publishing any other articles of this nature, as it seems irresponsible for someone from the health field to be promoting items that can cause irreparable damage to life.

re: How to Turn a Flashlight Into a Laser

Borgon — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:04:57 GMT

I would strongly recommend against creating a laser this powerful, there is a high chance you may catch a reflection and blind yourself or somebody else in an instant. This is dangerous in the hands of grownups, how much more so in the hands of children.

Powerful lasers are very carefully controlled even in a lab environment. Dr Mercola, I would recommend removing this post. Sorry.