spotted on the metro last night

[electricland]

Two boys, their voices not yet broken but just big enough to suggest they might be heading that way, dressed in the usual annoying hip-hop-esque style that makes me want to yank the childrens' pants down around their ankles... where was I? Oh yes.

On the opposite platform, with a flick-knife.

It was a wee thought disturbing, yet it somehow didn't seem like quite enough of an emergency to justify running over to the little intercom thingy and notifying Security. I find I'm not good with these judgement calls. I'm great in an emergency, not so good when deciding what to do with something that might or might not become one.

A case in point is the sofa incident last summer. As I pulled off the DVP onto the Bloor/Bayview exit, I noticed the cars ahead of me swerving around a large object in the middle of the road, which proved to be a sofa.

"Hm," thought I, "that could cause a nasty accident."

But I was driving at 60 km/h in heavy traffic, so it didn't seem entirely the right moment to whip out my cellphone and call... who? 911? Seemed extreme. And by the time I got to my parents' house 5 minutes later, I figured someone would have done something about it. (This is known as the Bystander Effect, I believe -- although rest assured that if it is a case of someone in actual need of fire, ambulance, or police intervention, I'm all about calling 911 even if I figure someone else probably already has. Not that it's ever done much good up to now, but that's another story.)

There in a nutshell you have what's wrong with the world today, I'm sure. Nobody wants to involve themselves.

Comments

[raithen.livejournal.com]

what were they doing with the flick knife? Just having it, and just being in hip-hop clothes (you may be interested in marketplace tonight, which is a 1 hr, commercial free special on the power of hip hop in marketing), does not make them a threat. A swiss army knife can be as much of a threat as a flick knife. However, if they were playing with the knife, I might be concerned.

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Playing with it (or I wouldn't have seen it), digging rather ineffectually at seats with it, pretending to hide in an alcove with it...

It wasn't the clothes, it really wasn't (you are taking me up today! no more descriptive passages for me! or else I will have to be far more precise...).

[raithen.livejournal.com]

right. well, then, worriesome. *shudder*

And I am sorry for being take to task girl. You are precise. I just ask for clarification when unsure, is all. and hey, you have been known to be detail girl on occasion. *raised eyebrow* ;)

Blame the fact that I am nitpick girl by assignment today. And that I am bored. And that I share your disdain for the hip hop look which is more silly than cool.

And also, please note the time.... Late arrival or no, you did the conference call from home, and I expect that you can leave work soon. :D.

in reverse order...

[electricland.livejournal.com]

right! time marches on.

I was looking for an Opus cartoon which perfectly satirized said look, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be published online anywhere. Boo.

;) I too am sorry for being oversensitive girl.

And I still don't know whether to be worried or not... I am torn between thinking "Brats!" and thinking "Eeee! Potential swarm of two!" Which may just be a sign I am getting old, of course.

Sigh.

Anyway, it is lovely here, so I don't plan to stay much longer...

[ide-cyan.livejournal.com]

The attempt at vandalism would be reason enough to have a nice chat with the nearest STM worker about them. (Consciousness-raising graffiti over ads, which I'm all in favour of, is an exception.)

[moonlightjoy.livejournal.com]

I think it might be called "Diffusion of Responsibility". Ever heard of the Kitty Genovese case? She was attacked in an alleyway, called for help and the attacker left. Then, when no police came, the attacker came back and killed her. People watched from their windows but no one called the cops. Everyone figured someone else would do it.

*shudder*

It's a bit of an extreme case, yes, but more or less the same thing. (Look! You killed a sofa cuz you expected other people to help!!! ;p)


that was lame... apologies.

Meanwhile, I wouldn't be too worried about the kids with the knife. They were just being stupid kids. Was this in Atwater metro?

[pixel12.livejournal.com]

Studies have proved that the more potential bystanders to each criminal act, the less likely not only each person contact the authorities (as to be expected) but that the aggregate notification by the group will decrease .

Happy Wednesday! It's been great so far!
J