Introducing - Absolute: Taser Incorporated, Teaser

Summary

Bone Valley Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Introducing - Absolute: Taser Incorporated, Teaser
Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host: Gilbert King
Production: Lava for Good Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1

---

1. Introduction to the New Series: Absolute: Taser Incorporated

In the premiere episode of Absolute: Taser Incorporated, host Gilbert King announces the launch of a compelling new series produced by Lava for Good Podcasts alongside filmmaker Nick Barradini. Drawing parallels to King's acclaimed work on Bone Valley, this new series promises a deep dive into the ubiquitous presence of Tasers in law enforcement.

Gilbert King at [00:01]:

"Have you ever wondered how they [Tasers] became so ubiquitous? Nick Barradini and Lava For Good are taking a close look at Taser Inc. Now known as Axon, the 800-pound gorilla in the paramilitary police equipment industry."

---

2. The Vision Behind Taser Incorporated

Nick Barradini sets the stage by exploring the origins and ambitions of Taser Incorporated (now Axon). The company is portrayed as a pioneer in non-lethal law enforcement technology, aiming to reduce the need for lethal force through innovative devices.

Rick Smith at [02:13]:

"Technology has the power to elevate us. It can bring out the best in humanity. It makes the impossible possible. It can make dreams real. It can make tomorrow different than yesterday."

Barradini visits the state-of-the-art headquarters in the Arizona desert, highlighting the company's advanced manufacturing processes and futuristic environment.

Nick Barradini at [02:13]:

"I could see what this new technology could be capable of. And I wanted Rick's dream to be real."

---

3. Real-Life Implications: Officer Matt Masters' Experience

The episode delves into the practical application of Tasers through the firsthand account of Officer Matt Masters. His narrative provides a ground-level perspective on the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by law enforcement personnel.

Matt Masters at [04:34]:

"Door comes flying open and dude's running out. He's got the cash register in one hand and a gun in the other... I opened fire on him. I shot, shot him like five times."

The emotional toll of using Tasers versus firearms is evident as Matt reflects on a specific incident where he had to shoot a young suspect.

Matt Masters at [05:26]:

"I think that part kind of bothers me a little bit, like knowing that I didn't have to shoot him."

His account underscores the tension between necessary force and the desire to minimize harm, highlighting the potential of Tasers to change these interactions.

---

4. The Corporate Vision: Rick Smith's Perspective

Rick Smith, a key figure at Taser Incorporated, articulates the company's mission to transform law enforcement practices by reducing lethal confrontations. He emphasizes the reliability and effectiveness of Tasers as a non-lethal alternative.

Rick Smith at [06:31]:

"Why does an officer ever need to use lethal force? Police don't use lethal force because it's lethal. They use it because it's reliable. It's the most effective way to stop a threat."

Smith introduces the latest iteration of Tasers, showcasing technological advancements aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency.

Rick Smith at [07:13]:

"I feel a sense of true hope watching this technology be adopted. And I can't wait to see where the coming years will take us."

---

5. Investigative Journey: Uncovering the Truth

Nick Barradini's investigative approach leads him to question the company's claims and the broader implications of their technology. His journey includes interactions with company executives and a critical examination of the ethical dimensions of deploying such devices in policing.

Nick Barradini at [07:25]:

"I was impressed. As I walked back through the steel double doors and into the desert that day, I also wondered, was what he said too good to be true?"

This skepticism drives Barradini to explore deeper, setting the stage for the series' exploration of power dynamics and technological overreach.

---

6. Personal Connections: Matt Masters and Stacy

The narrative personalizes the broader themes by introducing Matt Masters' family, particularly his wife Stacy, who adds another layer of emotional depth to the story. Their shared experiences and struggles provide insight into the personal impacts of law enforcement technologies.

Nick Barradini at [08:57]:

"Matt’s wife Stacy was there too... She's part Shawnee and sometimes wears a T-shirt that says no more Stolen Sisters."

Their story intertwines with the main narrative, highlighting the intersection of personal lives and professional responsibilities in the context of policing and technology.

---

7. Conclusion and Teasers for the Season

As the teaser episode concludes, the foundation is laid for an in-depth exploration of Taser Incorporated's influence on law enforcement and society. The episode hints at forthcoming investigations and revelations that will challenge listeners to reconsider their perceptions of technology's role in policing.

Nick Barradini at [09:20]:

"The Taser changed everything for cops. Changed everything for Matt too."

This statement encapsulates the transformative potential of Tasers, setting up the series to delve into both the positive and adverse effects of their widespread use.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Gilbert King [00:01]:
  "Have you ever wondered how they became so ubiquitous?"

• Rick Smith [02:13]:
  "Technology has the power to elevate us... make tomorrow different than yesterday."

• Matt Masters [04:34]:
  "I shot, shot him like five times."

• Rick Smith [06:31]:
  "Why does an officer ever need to use lethal force?"

• Nick Barradini [07:25]:
  "Was what he said too good to be true?"

• Matt Masters [05:26]:
  "I didn't have to shoot him."

• Nick Barradini [09:20]:
  "The Taser changed everything for cops. Changed everything for Matt too."

---

Conclusion

The introductory episode of Absolute: Taser Incorporated sets the stage for a provocative exploration of non-lethal policing technology. Through compelling interviews and firsthand accounts, the series promises to uncover the intricate balance between innovation, ethics, and the human element in law enforcement. Listeners can anticipate a nuanced narrative that challenges preconceived notions and invites critical reflection on the tools that shape our safety and justice systems.

Transcript

[Gilbert]

Hi, it's Gilbert. I want to tell you about a new show from Lava For Good coming out today, Absolute Taser Incorporated with filmmaker Nick Barrardini. Taser Incorporated comes from the same team that worked with me on Bone Valley. And just like Bone Valley, this podcast is a riveting listen that will open your eyes and tug at your heart. We've all seen the Taser carried by cops, seen it in the news and movies. Have you ever wondered how they became so ubiquitous? Nick Barradini and Lava For Good are taking a close look at Taser Inc. Now known as Axon, the 800 pound gorilla in the paramilitary police equipment industry. Their story is one of ambition, hubris and technology overtaking the very people it is meant to serve. Look for Absolute Taser Incorporated wherever you hear this. And check out this clip from episode one.

[Nick Barradini]

Stay right where you are, we'll throw you a gun.

[Matt Masters]

Say hello to my little friend.

[Rick Smith]

Gun violence is surging across the US So far.

[Nick Barradini]

Teacher at Columbine High School There is a student here with a gun.

[Matt Masters]

It's still happening.

[Nick Barradini]

What would it be like to live in a world where none of this is possible? One man had a vision, a vision of a new reality.

[Rick Smith]

The whole reason we started this company is we want to get people to stop killing each other. And in order to do that, he.

[Nick Barradini]

Was going to make it happen with an invention.

[Rick Smith]

Technology has the power to elevate us. It can bring out the best in humanity. It makes the impossible possible. It can make dreams real. It can make tomorrow different than yesterday.

[Nick Barradini]

Rick Smith is building this new reality in a real place. I visited the Space Age headquarters rising up from the Arizona desert. My tour guide put his eye up to a retinal scanner to get me into the building.

[Unknown]

Identification is completed.

[Nick Barradini]

The steel doors retracted slowly, like we were entering a vault. I walked through a wide hallway and saw catwalks crisscrossing above me. Employees in glass conference rooms drew equations on the windows. I watched as an assembly line of workers built this future weapon called a Taser. Electricity buzzed through the air. It felt like science fiction, but they were really doing it. I was inside this world. I could see what this new technology could be capable of. And I wanted Rick's dream to be real. This is Absolute. Season one Taser Incorporated A story about unchecked power. I'm nick Barradini. Episode 1 Whips, Poles and Chains I know a lot of cops and they get asked all the time, have you ever fired your gun? Rick Smith, in his space age outpost was trying to build A world where the answer would always be no. But if you were a cop before that, like my friend Matt Masters, you were skeptical. Matt had been trained. If you think your life is in danger, shoot.

[Matt Masters]

Door comes flying open and dude's running out. He's got the cash register in one hand and a gun in the other. And I'm like, robbery, robbery, robbery. So we bail out of our car in the middle of the street. I think the kid just didn't even, like, realize that the cops were there. So as he's running, he kind of like turned like, oh, shit kind of thing. The gun was pointed at me and at that point I just reacted. And, I mean, he wasn't stopping. And I opened fire on him. I shot, shot him like five times. And so he went down right there and dropped the cash register, dropped the gun. I'm standing in the street, put out on the radio, shots fired, you know, officer involved shooting, whatever, whatever. I said.

[Nick Barradini]

It wasn't until you rolled him over that you realized how young he was, right?

[Matt Masters]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Nick Barradini]

What did he look like? He looked like.

[Matt Masters]

He looked like he was a 14, 15 year old kid.

[Nick Barradini]

You know, what did that feel like?

[Matt Masters]

You know, it bothered me. You know, I remember the kid looking up at me and he's like, you shot me.

[Nick Barradini]

Matt says he did what he was trained to do, aim for the chest. But he also did what a lot of cops do under pressure. He missed. Cops call it dipping. He told me he didn't mean to, but he lowered his arm, hit the kid's legs.

[Matt Masters]

I was just glad that I didn't kill him because I think that would have been a different. I think that would have been different emotions that I would have had to process ended up being a BB gun that was a replica that looked like a real gun. There's no way I would have been able to know that that was a BB gun. But I don't know that I needed to shoot him. So I think that part kind of bothers me a little bit, like knowing that I didn't have to shoot him.

[Rick Smith]

Why does an officer ever need to use lethal force? Police don't use lethal force because it's lethal. They use it because it's reliable. It's the most effective way to stop a threat.

[Nick Barradini]

In a marketing video from 2023, Rick Smith tells us, not anymore. He shows us the newest taser, a black and yellow gun shaped device. Instead of one barrel, it has 10 holes to shoot out 10 little darts. The darts are attached to electrified copper wires, so when they shoot out and puncture your skin. The current makes your muscles lock up. You can't move. But when it's over, you can get right back up.

[Rick Smith]

I feel a sense of true hope watching this technology be adopted. And I can't wait to see where the coming years will take us.

[Nick Barradini]

Walking through the Taser headquarters blew me away. While I was there, I sat down with a VP and he told me how proud he was to work for the company. Taser's saving lives.

[Gilbert]

That's the business that we're in. We're protecting the truth and we're protecting lives.

[Nick Barradini]

I was impressed. As I walked back through the steel double doors and into the desert that day, I also wondered, was what he said too good to be true? I threw myself and a half decade into that question, I even made a movie about what I found. That's how I met Officer Matt Masters. I was answering questions on Reddit about the movie. He left me a comment. Hello, Nick. I was thrust into the reality of Tasers just over a year ago. I didn't see it at first. I only caught it because a friend asked later if I'd talked to this guy Matt yet. When I finally met him, he'd been a cop for 19 years. Crew cut, blue eyes, tattoo of an archangel slicing a demon's neck. He opened up right away. He laughed a lot, especially when he was talking about something that might make him cry. We had dinner at a restaurant and we talked for hours. Matt's wife Stacy was there too. Dark, straight hair, dark brown eyes, feather tattoo. She's part Shawnee and sometimes wears a T shirt that says no more Stolen Sisters. We started talking because Matt and Stacey were trying to make sense of something that happened to them.

[Unknown]

Alright, fine. Fuck it. Just get out.

[Matt Masters]

Out.

[Unknown]

Out. Right now. Out of the car. Out of the car. Taylor Deployment. On the ground. Out of the car. On the ground. On the ground.

[Nick Barradini]

The Taser changed everything for cops. Changed everything for Matt too.

[Unknown]

You see the world differently where others see empty lots. You see blueprints where others sit in lecture halls. Future leaders choose Ferris State University to build something real. Ready to dig in and learn through action. Ferris State gives you the tools, the team and training to unleash your potential with paths to high demand careers and in state tuition for non residents. At Ferris State, students don't just study. They build. They lead, they succeed. Visit ferris Edu Ferris State University we build champions.

Let your imagination take flight with an AI powered PC from Lenovo. Whether it's creating digital art, designing new software or building a portfolio for a future career. Our PCs are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors to help students unlock smarter learning and unleash their creativity. That's the power of Lenovo with Intel installation side all you have to do is choose the one that fits your passion. Head to lenovo.com to shop AI PCs and find your perfect companion. Plus get 5% off when you create an education account.

[Rick Smith]

Do you own a business that's ready to thrive? It's time to let Intuit QuickBooks take things like unpaid invoices and tracking expenses off your plate so you can take things to the next level. Intuit QuickBooks is an all in one business platform that can help with those day to day tasks like invoicing and expenses. Manage and grow your business all in one place. Intuit QuickBooks your way to Money Money Movement services are provided by Intuit Payments, Inc. Licensed as a money transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

[Nick Barradini]

You're listening to an iHeart podcast.