EVE General Discussion

Let's talk about Depleted Uranium ammo. As someone that happens to be a part of the nuclear power industry, I'm concerned about the public perception of nuclear power, fissile materials, and nuclear waste. I understand the description of DU ammunition in the game is supposed to be in good fun. However, those with no knowledge of what DU actually is may develop a skewed idea of the nuclear industry that could harm it in the long-term. Considering that nuclear power is the future of large scale power generation, this could have a deleterious effect on its development and deployment.

Depleted uranium is a byproduct of the production of nuclear fuel for use in both reactor cores and weapons. The majority of the mass fraction of DU is comprised of U-238, an isotope of uranium that has only trace radioactivity. It has an enormously long half-life, approximately 4.5 billion years, and thus exposure to DU is not dangerous from a radioactivity standpoint. You will not grow extra limbs, glow in the dark, or inherit superpowers from exposure to DU. The "humourous" quip in the description of DU ammunition in-game is in very poor taste. The controversy surrounding DU is simply because it is toxic - like many other heavy metals, it accumulates in the body and can cause organ failure. However, this is not caused by simply handling it, which the in-game description again implies. Most exposure occurs when DU ammunition hits a target and is sheared into fragments by impact, a process called spalling. Very small particles float in the air, are inhaled or enter the mucous membranes, and can indeed cause health issues. But, aerosolization cannot occur in space.

Please consider updating the description of DU ammunition to be more scientifically accurate. Misinformation is toxic.

Thank you.

*Frysquints at OP*

... not sure if serious or trolling.

So you are concerned about Uranium ammunition getting a (even more) bad reputation?

Original:
Medium Projectile Ammo. Very commonly used by Minmatar pilots, this ammo is incendiary and also has great penetration. Just be careful handling it unless you want to wake up with an extra toe on your forehead.

Corrected:
Medium Projectile Ammo. Very commonly used by Minmatar pilots, this ammo is incendiary and also has great penetration. Just be careful handling it unless you want to wake up with gulf war syndrome. May include but is not limited to: chronic fatigue/Headache, Memory problems, muscle pain, Diarrhea, Neurological problems, terminal tumors, respiratory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic multi-symptom illnesses, skin conditions and Arthritis.

I like the original better, it's a bit less depressing.

* Sends Ramona some lovely extra toe ammunition from 1400s *

Yes dear. Im sure whatever you said made sense in your "language"

Wow. Just when I thought bullets were supposed to be dangerous, and cause organ failure.

Go on then. I dare ya.

Such a messy way of generating power

Ill take my energy in cube form, thanks

<---------- "The Avatar Creator has unfortunately reached its maximum level of Scornful Distaste and must restart"

Hey there, I happen to be an engineer. should I tell you what's wrong with eve from my view?
Perhaps I should also call my physicist friend to tell you what is wrong with eve from his perspective.

Eve isn't a simulator, if you wan't to play a space simulator go become an astronaut.