Comments on: What to do if you smell a terrorist http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 17:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Spikeles http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616704 Spikeles Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616704 Don't suspect a friend, report him Don’t suspect a friend, report him

]]> By: Sekino http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616706 Sekino Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616706 You don't get it. They're not using slightly distorted people to further scare you, it's to instill <i>trust</i>. If they used perfectly gorgeous people, even us idiots would know they are paid actors and not <i>real</i>, honest to goodness people. They have agencies specializing in asymmetrical, 'real-looking' actors, you know, precisely for this sort of BS. You don’t get it. They’re not using slightly distorted people to further scare you, it’s to instill trust. If they used perfectly gorgeous people, even us idiots would know they are paid actors and not real, honest to goodness people.

They have agencies specializing in asymmetrical, ‘real-looking’ actors, you know, precisely for this sort of BS.

]]> By: Church http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-617474 Church Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-617474 @Mark "Would you feel good about being in this PSA, Church?" As aired? No. But I could totally see myself filming a portion of it without realizing what the final edit would be. Sort of like finding myself in a communal blog with someone who has an affinity for the memory hole. I might not like it, I might actually find it abhorrent, but it's not in my power to stop them. @Mark “Would you feel good about being in this PSA, Church?”

As aired? No. But I could totally see myself filming a portion of it without realizing what the final edit would be.

Sort of like finding myself in a communal blog with someone who has an affinity for the memory hole. I might not like it, I might actually find it abhorrent, but it’s not in my power to stop them.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616707 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616707 Thanks 1984: Under the spreading chestnut tree I sold you and you sold me There lie they, and here lie we Under the spreading chestnut tree Thanks 1984:

Under the spreading chestnut tree
I sold you and you sold me
There lie they, and here lie we
Under the spreading chestnut tree

]]> By: 13tales http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616709 13tales Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616709 This would be one of those things that I don't watch, on the reasonable suspicion that it would make me TOO DAMNED ANGRY. Enjoy your paranoia and deprivation of civil liberties, US-icans. *waves* This would be one of those things that I don’t watch, on the reasonable suspicion that it would make me TOO DAMNED ANGRY. Enjoy your paranoia and deprivation of civil liberties, US-icans. *waves*

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616710 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616710 Is it time to leave the country yet? It's so hard to time these things. Too soon, and you miss out on the heady days of Weimar. Too late, and, well, it's too late. Is it time to leave the country yet? It’s so hard to time these things. Too soon, and you miss out on the heady days of Weimar. Too late, and, well, it’s too late.

]]> By: nck wntrhltr http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616711 nck wntrhltr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616711 Fee-Fie-Foh-Fum! I smell the blood of a terrorist -- run! Fee-Fie-Foh-Fum!
I smell the blood of a terrorist — run!

]]> By: Mabeuf http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616967 Mabeuf Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616967 disconcerting [ˌdɪskənˈsɜːtɪŋ] adj causing a feeling of disturbance, embarrassment, or confusion; perturbing; worrying disconcerting [ˌdɪskənˈsɜːtɪŋ]
adj
causing a feeling of disturbance, embarrassment, or confusion; perturbing; worrying

]]> By: JayReeder http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616712 JayReeder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616712 Is it time to leave the country yet? It's so hard to time these things. I'm still kicking myself for leaving Berlin in 1931, when I totally could have waited a couple more years. Is it time to leave the country yet? It’s so hard to time these things. I’m still kicking myself for leaving Berlin in 1931, when I totally could have waited a couple more years.

]]> By: Davidget http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616715 Davidget Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616715 I only feel safe posting here, because there is a "Report" link next to all of your names. I only feel safe posting here, because there is a “Report” link next to all of your names.

]]> By: Davidget http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616716 Davidget Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616716 Don't report me Junglemonkey, I made my previous comment before refreshing. /hides Don’t report me Junglemonkey, I made my previous comment before refreshing.

/hides

]]> By: Phrosty http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616718 Phrosty Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616718 Red Scare nostalgiabomb'd. Red Scare nostalgiabomb’d.

]]> By: Mark Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616719 Mark Frauenfelder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616719 Making a sarcastic about the "Report" link is a reportable behavior. Making a sarcastic about the “Report” link is a reportable behavior.

]]> By: Church http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-618000 Church Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-618000 I'm just insulted that you included the link. I’m just insulted that you included the link.

]]> By: Junglemonkey http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616723 Junglemonkey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616723 Mark, it's because I smell like a terrorist, isn't it? As a Simian American, I have the SAME RIGHTS AS EVERYONE ELSE. Mark, it’s because I smell like a terrorist, isn’t it? As a Simian American, I have the SAME RIGHTS AS EVERYONE ELSE.

]]> By: doug117 http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616726 doug117 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616726 People who buy into this thing will be conditioned to think "I am not an expert." After all, the experts are -- by definition -- someone else. Another form of this conditioning is: Let the "authorities" handle it... or Let the doctors decide... The list of examples goes on. The main topic of this post is alarming enough. But the message also contains the recurring subtext of relinquishing our own authority to big brother. People who buy into this thing will be conditioned to think “I am not an expert.” After all, the experts are — by definition — someone else.

Another form of this conditioning is: Let the “authorities” handle it… or Let the doctors decide…

The list of examples goes on.

The main topic of this post is alarming enough. But the message also contains the recurring subtext of relinquishing our own authority to big brother.

]]> By: mellowknees http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616728 mellowknees Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616728 re: Micheal Busch - sure looks like the same guy to me! And the REALLY ironic thing, for anyone familiar with the old UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) show is that the whole premise of the show was that there were these secret agents whose sole purpose was to CREATE CHAOS with their weird behavior (thus leading into many, many hilarious comedy sketches). COINCIDENCE or COSMIC PLAN? Maybe he did the commercial as part of his requirements to create chaos, see? re: Micheal Busch – sure looks like the same guy to me! And the REALLY ironic thing, for anyone familiar with the old UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) show is that the whole premise of the show was that there were these secret agents whose sole purpose was to CREATE CHAOS with their weird behavior (thus leading into many, many hilarious comedy sketches).

COINCIDENCE or COSMIC PLAN? Maybe he did the commercial as part of his requirements to create chaos, see?

]]> By: danlalan http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616731 danlalan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616731 I can't decide if it's Orwell or Kafka. Maybe Orwell if you're reporting and Kafka if you're reported... I can’t decide if it’s Orwell or Kafka.

Maybe Orwell if you’re reporting and Kafka if you’re reported…

]]> By: ChibiR http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616733 ChibiR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616733 And in a few weeks, we'll see the following on Boing Boing: "FBI surveillance team surrounded by SWAT after being reported via iWatch by the drug dealer inside the house they were observing." And in a few weeks, we’ll see the following on Boing Boing: “FBI surveillance team surrounded by SWAT after being reported via iWatch by the drug dealer inside the house they were observing.”

]]> By: Yreka http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616736 Yreka Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616736 I wonder how many people who know things about psychology might be shaking their heads at this. Available heuristics. Everything is, of course, "more likely" to happen if it's covered on the media more. I wonder how many people who know things about psychology might be shaking their heads at this. Available heuristics. Everything is, of course, “more likely” to happen if it’s covered on the media more.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616739 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616739 @mellowknees <i>Has no one read 1984?</i> I got a chapter into it and then Amazon deleted it. How's it end? @mellowknees

Has no one read 1984?

I got a chapter into it and then Amazon deleted it. How’s it end?

]]> By: Kitty McPoo http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616740 Kitty McPoo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616740 I worked with the first dude at Disneyland. He once told me I smelled funny. I understand what he meant now. I worked with the first dude at Disneyland. He once told me I smelled funny. I understand what he meant now.

]]> By: Fletcherism http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616743 Fletcherism Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616743 I love the smell of Terrorism in the morning! Smells like...failed foreign policy/zealotry/fresh-baked bread. kind of a lingering odor. I love the smell of Terrorism in the morning! Smells like…failed foreign policy/zealotry/fresh-baked bread.

kind of a lingering odor.

]]> By: Cicada http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616744 Cicada Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616744 While the optimist in us might think that anyone would exercise a reasonable degree of judgment about when to call the cops on something suspicious, some people are probably going to need encouragement. <p>Consider the flipside-- Kitty Genovese. While the optimist in us might think that anyone would exercise a reasonable degree of judgment about when to call the cops on something suspicious, some people are probably going to need encouragement.

Consider the flipside– Kitty Genovese.

]]> By: Tdawwg http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616749 Tdawwg Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616749 Reports of bystanders' non-responsiveness to Genovese's cries of "Murder!" were greatly exaggerated. People stabbed through the lungs, and who die from the asphyxiation caused thereby, don't scream "Help me!" for an hour before expiring. And it's one thing to bemoan callousness in the face of an actual crime while it's being committed: quite another to digitally deputize an entire city as amateur spies and information-gatherers. I mean, Rorschach claimed the Genovese murder as a reason for his vigilantism: not the guy we want to follow here! Reports of bystanders’ non-responsiveness to Genovese’s cries of “Murder!” were greatly exaggerated. People stabbed through the lungs, and who die from the asphyxiation caused thereby, don’t scream “Help me!” for an hour before expiring.

And it’s one thing to bemoan callousness in the face of an actual crime while it’s being committed: quite another to digitally deputize an entire city as amateur spies and information-gatherers.

I mean, Rorschach claimed the Genovese murder as a reason for his vigilantism: not the guy we want to follow here!

]]> By: bobhughes http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616750 bobhughes Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616750 why is that pringles video on a comedy site? I only got through the first 50 seconds but it was not funny at all. Is this something else fronting as a comedy site? Terrorists put up fronts too, I better get an expert to decide! why is that pringles video on a comedy site? I only got through the first 50 seconds but it was not funny at all. Is this something else fronting as a comedy site? Terrorists put up fronts too, I better get an expert to decide!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616755 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616755 It's a smartly directed advertisement, designed to promote the brand and distract you from the cruddy script. The blurring is merely an effect of a large-aperture lens. It gives things a "cinematic" feel while also hiding small skin blemishes -- just like the heavy makeup all the actors are wearing. I think it's to give the actors a squeaky clean image while at the same time ticking all the boxes for token Asian, token Indian, token whitebread hipster, etc. What concerns me more are the wide-eyed stares and subtly-wide-angle-lens employed to "get in your face" and promote alarm. I have to wonder if this is genuine or a subversive ad-slot for a Paul Verhoeven film. By the way, what does terrorism smell like? Stagnant water? Or does it come in child-safe mint and lavender scents? It’s a smartly directed advertisement, designed to promote the brand and distract you from the cruddy script.

The blurring is merely an effect of a large-aperture lens. It gives things a “cinematic” feel while also hiding small skin blemishes — just like the heavy makeup all the actors are wearing. I think it’s to give the actors a squeaky clean image while at the same time ticking all the boxes for token Asian, token Indian, token whitebread hipster, etc.
What concerns me more are the wide-eyed stares and subtly-wide-angle-lens employed to “get in your face” and promote alarm.

I have to wonder if this is genuine or a subversive ad-slot for a Paul Verhoeven film.

By the way, what does terrorism smell like? Stagnant water? Or does it come in child-safe mint and lavender scents?

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616756 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616756 definitely not satire unfortunately definitely not satire unfortunately

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616757 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616757 Personally, I think "Fahrenheit 451" is a more apt comparison. Personally, I think “Fahrenheit 451″ is a more apt comparison.

]]> By: demidan http://boingboing.net/2009/10/20/what-to-do-if-you-sm.html#comment-616758 demidan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-616758 "I swear it's cheese!" “I swear it’s cheese!”

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