Chemistry Sets are Scary

[andysocial]

Originally published at BunkBlog. You can comment here or there.

When I was 8 years old, I had two chemistry sets.  I went through all sorts of experiments, producing acids that I used to clean/destroy small objects, color-changing things, etc. I’ve seen several times over the past few years stories about the new chemistry sets, which apparently don’t contain any chemicals more interesting than tannic acid (tea extract). We don’t want our young people to grow up curious about science, obviously.

And then there is the curious case of Lewis Casey, who was arrested on suspicion of making meth in his garage. When it was proven rather easily that his chemistry lab was merely a chemistry lab (he’s a college chemistry major), the Canadian government charged him with making bombs instead. Have you ever heard the term “chilling effect” before?

Casey is no longer allowed to engage in chemistry experiments except under supervision in school labs. 

That’s insane.

Comments

[dantheserene.livejournal.com]

Well *obviously* the only purposes of a home lab are to make meth or bombs.

Idiots.

[andysocial]

Edison would be a wanted terrorist in today's world.

[theonides.livejournal.com]

That's what happens when people are afraid. They become afraid of everything. And one thing that clearly reflects this culture in my lifetime is how afraid people are. It's not 9/11. It's what gets reported on the news.