Nexus - 0101 - New Times Magazine-pages

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eS SeSSsSaoas BEL Jes =DO Not StEA 2 ro: Oo GXGy = ge) NI —, Op Dee Ly Be gts ys pe ff, Yip = Ties 23: pf pl WELCOME TO OUR STORE... The US Department of Energy has OUR STORE... put forward a proposal costing $70 , : million in 1987 for a development In a controversial move aimed at slashing programme for mini-space reactors shoplifting losses, a revolutionary British making possible the beginnings of development is making its appearance in America's Space Defence Initiative. Stores throughout Australia 4 Russia already has small uranium- : The new system is known as 235 reactors in space (one crashed in Reinforcement Messaging (RM). It Canada in 1978) and 40 ‘hot’ nuclear prevents theft by influencing the behavior power generators in near-Earth orbit; at Of Shoppers and staff on a subconcious least 4 have ruptured and contaminated level and consists of a sophisticated the atmosphere - a failure rate of 1 in ag oe ed 7." which monitors ambient noise levels in 10, not one in 10 million as . menufacturers claim. th the ‘60s a US order to broadcast messages at precisely orbital Snap-9A reactor dumped several ate ae ae “Welco The Department of Consumer Affairs kilos of pltoniunt into the abtiosphere. to ot heal Be ae: do not steal.” has drawn up a code which no longer The latest uranium-fuelled Snap-10 Sho bs is ir allows shopkeepers to search customers’ . 4 ppers absorb the words unconciously space fission reactor was considered a sat aot | scoarineal The system's handbags; but large or open bags may be success because it functioned for 43 days in devetooers Galil r ‘fs wile of Rein searched. Employers will not be able to orbit — a component failure. Most of theft ty 30% r-nifbe e . touch bags or their contents. oe — re — ah Subliminal Assistance Limited, the UK __A shopper can refuse a search but may developers, say that RM simply , letained until the police arrive. The reinforces “socially acceptable values and innocent shopper can then Haid for false objectives". Shoplifters cost retailers in arrest. The code has been put into effect for excess of $1 million a day. a six month tial ending in May. 2US BUNNIES In a controversial move aimed at slashing shoplifting losses, a revolutionary British development is making its appearance in stores throughout Australia . The new system is known as Reinforcement Messaging (RM). It prevents theft by influencing the behavior of shoppers and staff on a subconcious level and consists of a sophisticated computer-controlled public address system which monitors ambient noise levels in order to broadcast messages at precisely the threshold of human hearing. A typical message would be “Welcome to our store. Be honest - do not steal.” Shoppers absorb the words unconciously and act accordingly. The system's developers claim it is capable of reducing theft by 30% or more. Subliminal Assistance Limited, the UK developers, say that RM simply reinforces “socially acceptable values and objectives". Shoplifters cost retailers in excess of $1 million a day. The Department of Consumer Affairs has drawn up a code which no longer allows shopkeepers to search customers’ handbags; but large or open bags may be searched. Employers will not be able to touch bags or their contents. A shopper can refuse a search but may be detained until the police arrive. The innocent shopper can then sue for false arrest. The code has been put into effect for a six month trial ending in May. fauna and flora than any other single pest. We are not With no public debate’ on enviromental prepared to take such a risk just to establish some new consequences, the State Government has licenced a rabbit farm that the country simply doesn’t need or want.” private ¢O6mpany, Tandou Pty Ltd, to breed rabbits four Ms Suzi Krawcyk (Pres. of Animal Liberation] said times the size of normal wild rabbits. caged, farmed rabbits in the US suffered from 4 high These huge white rabbits, which weigh 10kg after 8 mortality rateand severe behavioural disorders. weeks growth, will be bred in Australia's first high security Another rabbit Production Unit is planned for Darwin rabbit concentration camp. Bred to be resistant to where a Sydney businessman intends to open a $2 Pasteurella [a fatal respiratory disease] the rabbits were million, 480,000 rabbit operation. also widely reported to be innoculated against 3 myxomatosis. However, R.W. Smith, a spokesman for Tandou, has subsequently denied they will be given immunity to myxomatosis. He said the license forbade them from tmmunising their rabbits. The consequences of myxomatosis-immune wild rabbits to Australia's farm production and environment would be catastrophic, heralding the return of huge rabbit plagues. The C.S.1.R.O. spent half a century developing myxomatosis as a means to control feral rabbits. Prison-like conditions will be essential to prevent myxomatosis spreading to the farmed rabbit population through either direct contact or via insects such as mosquitoes, The scheme's proponents judge the farmed rabbit completely different in taste and texture to wild rabbit. A mature giant rabbit would be worth about $1,000 and they will probably be sold as “fryers”. The breeding project will start at Broken Hill this year with a 24-rabbit pilot farm. Mr John White, {NSW Farmer's Association] said: "The rabbit has done more damage to Australian native Nexus New Times 11 open a will be essential to to the farmed prevent rabbit to 11 ——— UE WHAT GOES UP (2) Se Nexus New Times