The biggest problem with EMP is the sheer amount of power required to create even a small pulse (I mean you are literally shoving the earth's magnetic field out of the way). So while it probably wouldn't be to difficult to create a man-portable EMP, the thing would have an incredibly short range, and would have a much weaker effect in that range (due to the magnetic field recovering quicker). I mean you can make an EMP out of a basic microwave oven right now, though it will have a very short range and focus (as well as being very dangerous in terms of electrocution/burning).
For the idea of taking out a single target your best bet is probably to go with a modified Electromagnetic pinch (similar to the one seen in the movie Ocean's Eleven). Though the device in the film is fictionalized, a real device of similar proportions could certainly knock out a satellite dish or a small target, though it would take a lot more calculation and adjustments to actually hit the desired target.
As for the topic of shielding, there are a few things to consider.
1)Even though shielding is cheap, most people aren't willing to pay for a thing that doesn't provide any noticeable immediate benefits. Commercialism does run the world after all. This is also the reason why almost nothing in the civilian infrastructure and even a surprising amount of military infrastructure is unshielded.
2)For the purpose of a modified pinch device such as I mentioned above, shielding would need to be extensive. One of the aspects of that particular type of device is the trade of extensity for intensity, lowering the focus size of the device in exchange for creating a greater focus on the intended target.
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Topic: Will the old people of the future be as technophobic as the old people now? (Read 41916 times)