Friends, Americans, geeks, lend me your ears. The U.S. government is trying to ban Bucky Balls, Zen Magnets, and all sets of amazing and wonderful magnetic spheres, and we only have a few hours left to stop them!


Since this summer, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has been threatening to sue Zen Magnets and Bucky Balls for what it claims are a rash of ingestion-related injuries. Kids who accidentally or intentionally swallow multiple magnets may have them pinch together on a section of their intestines, which requires surgery to remove. Obviously, when it comes to child injuries, we at Gizmodo are very much anti, but that doesn't mean that one of the best science-oriented toys ever created should be made illegal. Especially now, when our schools are struggling, and when it's been so hard to get kids interested in science.


Label the heck out of em! Make people sign a waiver before they purchase! Do whatever it takes but don't ban them! And as Zen Magnets pointed out in a statement, "...there will be about 100,000 injuries every year in the United States due to backyard trampolines which require Emergency Room treatment, and trampolines are marketed to children." But these are different! They are captivating for kids and adults, and they inspire curiosity in virtually everyone who holds them. That is a good thing.

Here's what you can do: submit your comment at Regulations.gov. Do it right now! This form will shut down after November 19th and your voice won't be heard.