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Friday, March 28th, 2008
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9:56a - I've been meaning to do this...
I had this idea when the incident happened, but I haven't gotten around to it until now.
I'd like to play a little game with all of you. The rules are simple, answer one question. This is simply a Gedankenexperiment. You don't have to tell me the answer, though you can if you like.
Which of these two women would you rather be?
Woman #1
Woman #2
Neither of these women are unique. They are both fairly ordinary. There are literally dozens of news stories about people just like them in the same situation every single day.
Read the articles, and think about it. Which of those people would you want to be?
current mood:  thoughtful
current music: All of My Love - Led Zeppelin (15 comments |comment on this)
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3:10p - Statistical Models Ahoy.
Programmers Need To Learn Statistics Or I Will Kill Them All
HELL YES!
I think he could extend this to the general populace, but at the very least, I really want to print copies and hand them out to everyone in my office. Good grief.
current mood:  enthralled
current music: The Fallen - Sap (1 comment |comment on this)
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3:14p - My thoughts on this morning's post.
Earlier today I talked about two similar situations that ended very differently for the people involved.
I figure that it's worth expanding on my views a bit outside of the comments.
First off, it should be noted that, while I enjoy firearms, I do not expect everyone in the world to own one. It's a nice idea, and one I would totally support, were I to pick a particular eschatological cause for which to fight. However, I do believe that it's unnecessary to have 100% ownership. While firearms owners can be shown to have a statistically significant positive effect on the safety of those around them, I also believe that there is a certain tipping point where focusing on this one thing will bring diminishing returns.
So, that said, it seems obvious that having ready access to a firearm is one of the things that played a part in how one of the scenarios went down, but there were numerous other factors as well.
The thing that I wanted to focus on for the experiment is each person's mental state. Each person made a choice based on the information they had available to them. One chose to fight back while the other chose to sit on the phone and wait for help to come.
This is where I have the biggest problem.
Fundamentally, there is a core belief that everyone has about whether they are in control of their own destiny. I believe this is what motivates some to keep looking for solutions in the face of adversity and defeat, and what is the source of the helplessness in others.
Obviously the will to power can only get you so far. Preparation, training, education, awareness, effective tools, and pure random dumb luck are all key elements in whether you successfully prevail in the face of a violent encounter.
However, without that will, I have a lot of doubt that anyone will bother to acquire the other things necessary to maximize the odds of survival.
I find it shameful and appalling that in all of the "call 911 when you need help" propaganda, few, if any, of them include any information about getting to a safe location before you call and nearly all of them tell you to stay on the line until the operator, who is not there and can not possibly be an accurate judge of the danger's immanence, tells you to hang up.
In my opinion, both of these are just plain bad advice when it comes to interacting with a criminal.
My advice:
1. Assure your own safety, by fight or by flight. Its your call. Every situation is different, only you can judge your needs.
2. If the opportunity presents itself, call 911 and quickly give all important information, acknowledge receipt of this information and confirm dispatch, then get off the phone and refocus on assuring your own safety.
3. Do not second-guess any decisions made in #1. Make a plan and execute the plan. Getting caught up in the endless series of what-if scenarios will slow you down and possibly risk your success. Even sub-optimal plans sometimes get enough right to succeed.
It is my hope that others will cultivate the desire to survive, not abdicate their survival to someone else's care, and will take steps to help assure their own safety.
In summary:
I believe in the individual freedom and safety of every human being as an inherent right that must be defended individually by everyone. This should be easy to agree on.
I believe firearms are an effective means to secure and defend both of these. You don't have to agree with me on this.
current mood: thoughtful
current music: Fill Me (in 100%) - Acid Drinkers (3 comments |comment on this)
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