Modification is a big part of being a tech geek. Normal people see a computer and think “Good, now I can check my email.” A tech geek sees a computer and thinks “I’m opening that son of a bitch right up. Where’s my Torx set?”

This week’s tech roundup features some awesome mods, starting with this adorable little instrument of pain:

Automated Paintball Sentry Turret

This homemade sentry turret comes from the industrious (and possibly a little sadistic) folks over at The Sentry Project. They specialize in these automated turret mods, some of which you can buy. They also sell their software kit at $150. Bonus points for use of the Portal turret voice, double bonus points for eliciting that kind of response out of your little brother.

Mind-Controlled Pyrotechnics

It’s tough to see what’s going on in the video, but what you’re looking at is a set of gigantic flamethrowers being controlled by thought. Yep, the PK4A (Pyrokinesis for Alex) project has used an EEG headset (not unlike the one used to shock the hell out of people as seen last week) and a control unit to shoot 20-foot flames into the air just by thinking about it. Kids, if you’ve ever wanted to be a flame-wielding mutant, now’s your chance. If you haven’t ever wanted to be a flame-wielding mutant, then you need to seriously reconsider your priorities.

And finally:

This…thing.

Yes.