Do you want to see how perception of risk works? Go ask your secretary and others in your office how many people have been permanently blinded by laser pointers in 1998.
Now that laser pointers are small and inexpensive (some can fit onto a key ring and cost less than $20), kids are using them for all types of mischief. Have you been to a night high school football game lately? Pranksters shine the laser's bright red dot onto cheerleaders, football players, and anyone who looks like a good target.