Fuck, I have to change my opinion on leaf blowers.

@aud @dibi58 @LeslieBurns The photo is unfortunately AI but there is a video of what happened in Portland in 2020 and there is also a link to a battery powered one in the thread.

@brianvastag @wackJackle
Correct. This is slop.

@wackJackle@norden.social

Good point. FINALLY a genuine useful purpose for the bloody things.
Now for someone to get actual footage of their use.

@wackJackle @aral This is obviously a fake AI pic. Leaf blowers were used in 2020, but not like this (and with proper face protections)

@mikemccaffrey @wackJackle @harpaa01

Oh, I think it’s plainly easy that leaf blowers will become the signature noise of being in distress.

@rainerzufall_le @wackJackle

Extra poignant in this video clip is the image from BLM of protesters who are linked in arms with a sign that says don’t shoot moms.

Shit hasn’t changed

@wackJackle@norden.social

At this point, I don't understand why US protesters aren't learning from the Hong Kong protesters and wearing face shields and/or hard hats (or other protective gear). Hell, bring a baseball glove or heavy work gloves so you can toss teargas canisters back.

@wackJackle @kirakira Portland was tear gas, not pepper spray. Anyone that actually tries this will get beaten and arrested, if they're lucky.

@aud @wackJackle @dibi58 @LeslieBurns
It is battery powered. Now, who wants to 3D print a holster for it?

@wackJackle

@wackJackle you wanna die? That is how you end up with a bullet in your face.

@wackJackle@norden.social the framing of this is very weird, looks AI (cc @ljrk@todon.eu since I saw this from your boost)... I'm pretty sure leaf blowers were used to clear tear gas, not to redirect it.

@wackJackle Always use the right tool for a job. Here tear gas back blowers are awesome. Just don't use them for leaves. Recently, I've seen electric ones that were way less noisy.

@wackJackle@norden.social They make electric ones. They're much quieter.

@addison it could also just be a staged shot for testing, but I also got an AI feeling from it

@leberschnitzel@existiert.ch the position of the leaf blower is wrong relative to where the gas is being redirected if I'm interpreting the content correctly. But regardless, this advice is probably a great way to get people shot, and it's certainly misleading at best (the Portland protests being referenced happened predominantly in the summer )

@wackJackle they should rebrand them as tear gas directors. then they'd fall under "small arms" and be protected by Article 2

(and then maybe people would also stop using them to blow leaves around...)

@wackJackle Finally putting them to good use.

@aud @wackJackle @dibi58 There are several brands with battery-powered blowers. I just like the Milwaukee one bc it is small but mighty. https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-compact-blower/0884-20

@wackJackle I imagine the batteries lasting or even working in the current temps up there could be an issue.