Mail-Bomb Attack Targets Northeastern University VR Lab

[Raevenlord]

Law enforcement is investigating an alleged mail-bomb attack towards the Northeastern University's VR department (Boston). A 45-year-old mailroom employee was caught in an explosion late Tuesday evening after opening a parcel containing a hard plastic case, leading the improvised explosive device to activate. Luckily, the employee survived the attack with only lacerations on his hands.

A low-tech way of delivering explosive payloads, mail bombing in the US rose to prominence through the actions of the Unabomber. Now, it seems that this delivery method is once again being weaponized for political purposes, as the package carried with a note (described as "rambling") that criticized Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the relationship between university VR research and private interests. Northeastern University hosts several VR-oriented facilities, including an Immersive Media Labs Suite that "includes technologies for design, development, and exploration of virtual worlds, AR/VR/XR, and 360 video." It remains to be seen if this is a lone event or if it's a part of a more elaborate strategy of preventing change through fear.



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[the54thvoid]

Already an update to the original article:

A hard plastic case that an employee said exploded in the virtual reality lab of Northeastern University was not sent to the lab through the postal service, according to multiple sources.


A source briefed on the investigation told CNN that Boston Police and FBI bomb technicians did not find any evidence of the presence of explosives or an initiation system capable of causing an explosion.


Law enforcement sources say the employee told investigators that when he opened the case, it depressurized with the force of an explosion.


According to two law enforcement sources, the injured employee told police he found a note inside the container.

Not sent via post and wasn't an explosive device (as such). Seems a little 'off'.

 

[destruya]

Already an update to the original article:



Not sent via post and wasn't an explosive device (as such). Seems a little 'off'.

So you're implying it was the work of the U-No-Bomber?

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

CNN seem to be reporting that an enclosed manifesto was a screed against virtual reality, artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in particular.
They mention "copious exclamation marks", which the late Sir Terry Pratchett once noted was "a sure sign of someone who wears their underpants on their head".

 

[64K]

From what I've been reading it wasn't a bomb but the plastic box was pressurized so when it was opened it caused the injuries to the guy who opened it.

 

[R-T-B]

From what I've been reading it wasn't a bomb but the plastic box was pressurized so when it was opened it caused the injuries to the guy who opened it.

Still seems a little suspect, but yeah.