[nitrogen]

I have much more of a problem with the legions of dumbasses out there shining laser pointers directly at passing aircraft.

I think part of the problem is some of those people think that pointing a laser at something is just like pointing their finger at something, only easier to see. It's like, "Look, an airplane!" Except, to the airplane, your "finger" is like a giant eye-piercing needle.

Calling them laser pointers and using them for presentations and stargazing probably helps conceal the fact that they're still lasers.

[jonnathanson]

True. The problem is that 99% of laser pointer owners don't really understand what a laser is or does.