The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
There's the short story "A Colder War" by Charles Stross. Among other things, there's a reference to a real-life nuclear weapon concept called Project Pluto. In the story, it turns out it was built to try and kill Cthulhu.
So... maybe that's the goal of Sundial? Cthulhu would be a valid target for a weapon that ludicrous.
Otherwise, I agree. "The fuck is wrong with us" is the only valid conclusion.
It's usually because of cheap electrolytic capacitors. Letting a $10+ item die because they were too cheap to pay $0.25 instead of $0.15 for a properly rated component.
@Skua found it on DeviantArt.