They left out astronaut.

@68,72

If someone obtains a gun solely to commit suicide, they might not have time to answer any happiness surveys, but they may be counted in firearms suicide rates.

Additionally, gun ownership provides access to more than just the owner. The whole situation is much more complex than the pro-skub/anti-skub dynamic allows.

"They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or antitrade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Isn't that the usual historical perspective? The economy starts to suck or society goes weird and the politicians hawk their usual fix-alls. People get bitter and become Know Nothings. Commie spies are executed. People complain in the expected manner and politicians are shuffled about. It's not really "guns or religion or [etc.]" that we bitter people cling to, it's whatever insignificant trope gives us a sense of self.

That said, I'm not convinced gun-ownership-to-happiness is the correct correlation. Gun-ownership just seems more likely to be an expression of something else that does correlate to happiness. Besides, what self-respecting paranoid answers a survey?

Has the discussion really progressed this far without mention of The Wanting Seed?

Say what you will about the 21st century, it's a great time for dystopian fiction.

Things like this aren't used to bully people, they're used to show off to one's friends. If this "improvised electronic demobilizing device" were to be used on anyone outside his group, it would involve convincing the mark to use it; therefore, all of you are safe. But hey, at least it wasn't a gun/drug/porno.

These disposable cameras clearly need better warning labels, their sale restricted to adults, and EULAs defining legitimate use. Remember kiddies, science is dangerous! If it isn't on the test, just say no!

(Disclosure: A friend of mine did something similar in high school. We all got shocked. We all laughed. No one was sterilized.)