RoadTest: Engineers needed to review the element13 Foil Headwave Aluminium aTtenuator DevKit
Author: ntewinkel
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Electromechanical
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: The Thinking Cap (https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/project14/wearabletech/b/blog/posts/the-thinking-cap)
What were the biggest problems encountered?: The test subject (Linus) did not want to sit still long enough.
Detailed Review:
I approached this RoadTest like I would approach any new project: with existential dread, a little bit of skepticism, and a cup of coffee.
With those prerequisites out of the way, I dove in...
Before testing with the actual product (which is valuable and shouldn't be wasted on silly prototype tests), I decided to build a disposable prototype using paper.
Here's a timelapse video of me hard at work...
Having carefully crafted the paper prototype, I needed to find out which surfaces needed to be shiny, so I marked them all off with some creative artistic maneuvers...
Seeing the resulting useless mess, I decided to just place some aluminum foil back to back (less-shiny sides touching on the hidden inside of course), and got deep into assembly of the final product.
Now, the raccoon took off after we signed up for the RoadTest, so I had to find an unsuspecting stand-in for testing. Don't worry, this particular RoadTest does not involve Gamma Rays or microwave ovens.
He suspects NOTHINK! 
Linus. D. Kat, brave volunteer!
It seems to fit him very well, and he does resemble the raccoon a little bit, which helps it seem more authentic to the vibe of the original RoadTest. I can't help it that the raccoons deserted me.
Linus did the final bit of testing, so we have to take his word for it whether it works or not.
Right away you can see there is a little bit of a problem with the brainwave reflection concept - you can tell by his eyes that his own brainwaves are indeed no longer going outward (and thus the aliens won't be able to read them), but they are reflecting back inward and that is causing the brainwaves to resonate and collect in there, which is overheating his single braincell.
Given that result, I was unable to get him to verify whether or not he was still receiving incoming commands from aliens - however, we're not sure if there were any aliens around at the time of testing, so that's a tricky scenario at best.
Overall, I think this was a success - we learned a few things, Linus had a few extra treats, and we now have a nice shiny little hat to keep as a fun souvenir.
In summary, I think it might be best to stick with single-sided aluminum foil hats to protect from aliens. Since we're still developing the blocking of the outgoing brainwaves, just remember to keep your thoughts short and dumb for now.
Byeeeeee!
