And While We're on the Subject

British scientists claim to have invented an inviso-ray. At the moment, it only works on microscopic objects-- so you'll have to take their word for it, but it's early days yet.

Our reaction? Been there. Done That.

By the way, notice anything odd abut this paragraph? (Emphasis added)

To perform this conjuring trick in his lab at Imperial, Prof Phillips uses intense beams of infra-red light from lasers that rely on special semiconductor crystals grown in the former Soviet Union. Although the laser is rated at 10 million w atts, it is surprisingly safe: he encourages me to put my hand in the invisible beam: with each pulse of laser light, I feel a tiny pinprick as some of my skin cells are vaporised.

For Heavens sake, Mr. Highfield, the Soviet Union has been dead and unlamented for fifteen years. Do we continue to refer to Germany as "the former Nazi state" or Cambodia as "the former Kampuchea?" Can we please stop this "former" nonsense and let that Communist abomination fade into the obscurity it deserves?