Comments on: Help find the stolen scripts for GAME OF THRONES http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Brent Kirkham http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1189017 Brent Kirkham Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1189017 It isn't run by the Postmaster General any more, but is still government controlled.  So far.  It wan't privatised: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Mail It isn’t run by the Postmaster General any more, but is still government controlled.  So far.  It wan’t privatised:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Mail

]]> By: catgrin http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188970 catgrin Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188970 I've spent an evening with Mr. Martin and his wife. He didn't seem the sort to be prone to imagining thefts where none had occurred. I'm sure he's dealt with damaged material being passed through the mail before this (he is an author, after all, and oversized packages are frequently bent or slightly crushed), and wouldn't be asking for assistance if he didn't believe his understanding of the situation was justified. As far as postal theft goes... a much younger incarnation of me once rented in a house-full of people that included a guy who took a job for the USPS. He promptly began to steal choice items from the mail, and in under three months was arrested on federal charges. It does happen. I hope this isn't the case this time, and that the scripts have simply been misplaced due to lack of packaging. I’ve spent an evening with Mr. Martin and his wife. He didn’t seem the sort to be prone to imagining thefts where none had occurred. I’m sure he’s dealt with damaged material being passed through the mail before this (he is an author, after all, and oversized packages are frequently bent or slightly crushed), and wouldn’t be asking for assistance if he didn’t believe his understanding of the situation was justified.

As far as postal theft goes… a much younger incarnation of me once rented in a house-full of people that included a guy who took a job for the USPS. He promptly began to steal choice items from the mail, and in under three months was arrested on federal charges. It does happen. I hope this isn’t the case this time, and that the scripts have simply been misplaced due to lack of packaging.

]]> By: bigbanna http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188949 bigbanna Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188949 Royal Mail is no longer operated by or on direct behalf of the crown. It is now a private company (since 1969) that has been given explicit permission to retain the title, "Royal". The link to the crown is purely in the name alone these days, so you've been mis-informed.  BWT RM say: "Cash should be packaged securely and so that it is not visible through the envelope. Do not indicate on the outside of the packaging that cash is enclosed. Coins should not be sent in envelopes - our automated sorting machinery may damage envelopes containing coins, which can lead to delay in delivery and increase the likelihood of the contents being lost." BTW the Post Office refers to just the "shops", always has. Royal Mail is no longer operated by or on direct behalf of the crown. It is now a private company (since 1969) that has been given explicit permission to retain the title, “Royal”. The link to the crown is purely in the name alone these days, so you’ve been mis-informed. 

BWT RM say: “Cash should be packaged securely and so that it is not visible through the envelope. Do not indicate on the outside of the packaging that cash is enclosed. Coins should not be sent in envelopes – our automated sorting machinery may damage envelopes containing coins, which can lead to delay in delivery and increase the likelihood of the contents being lost.”

BTW the Post Office refers to just the “shops”, always has.

]]> By: Brent Kirkham http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188948 Brent Kirkham Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188948 The police had no jurisdiction as the British Post Office, being headed by the current monarch, has its own police force.  Their own police force, being largely made up of paper-shufflers, accomplished nothing in 5 years.  No leads, no evidence, no ideas whatsoever.  Nada.  Zip. The police had no jurisdiction as the British Post Office, being headed by the current monarch, has its own police force.  Their own police force, being largely made up of paper-shufflers, accomplished nothing in 5 years.  No leads, no evidence, no ideas whatsoever.  Nada.  Zip.

]]> By: sean http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188946 sean Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188946 I KNOW all about that CD! Word gets around quick amongst us thieving postal employees!  All the mailmen here in NJ are laughing about the guy who stole your CD and Nintendo stuff. Wait til you see what we take from your mail next! I KNOW all about that CD! Word gets around quick amongst us thieving postal employees!  All the mailmen here in NJ are laughing about the guy who stole your CD and Nintendo stuff. Wait til you see what we take from your mail next!

]]> By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188927 ocker3 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188927 While stealing from children donating to a charity is horrible, the key here is a coin. I've visited a modern mail-sorting site, they sort envelopes by machine, not by hand. The envelopes fly around faster than the eye can follow them, and the machine chews up and spits out anything heavy. People would sometimes send rings or other metal objects in regular envelopes, not realising they should have used a padded bag. The envelopes would sometimes continue on their way, but mostly they'd get ripped to shreds by the machine, with no way to figure out who sent them or where they should have gone to. I'm willing to bet a high-speed machine somewhere was raining pound coins for a few days, not that a postal worker was getting rich. While stealing from children donating to a charity is horrible, the key here is a coin. I’ve visited a modern mail-sorting site, they sort envelopes by machine, not by hand. The envelopes fly around faster than the eye can follow them, and the machine chews up and spits out anything heavy. People would sometimes send rings or other metal objects in regular envelopes, not realising they should have used a padded bag. The envelopes would sometimes continue on their way, but mostly they’d get ripped to shreds by the machine, with no way to figure out who sent them or where they should have gone to.

I’m willing to bet a high-speed machine somewhere was raining pound coins for a few days, not that a postal worker was getting rich.

]]> By: Tom Rombouts http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188892 Tom Rombouts Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188892 Often attributed to Napoleon - "Never assign to conspiracy that which can be explained by incompetence" - TWR, Redondo Beach, California Often attributed to Napoleon – “Never assign to conspiracy that which can be explained by incompetence”

- TWR, Redondo Beach, California

]]> By: S B http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188802 S B Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188802 Until proven otherwise, the scripts are "Missing," not "Stolen." I work for the postal service and can tell you that there is a vast channel of automated equipment processing these things at a very high speed.  The scripts were in an envelope, not a secure box, and they may have been ejected from their envelope during processing. Now, if there is identifying information on a script, it can and would be reunited with the sender. Without some sort of address, maybe not. But it's unfair of Cory to repeat the unproven claim that the postal service 'stole' the scripts. Finally, the commenters who claim there is no secure way to track, or send something hand-to-hand, are mistaken. There are options, like Registered Mail or Express Mail. Until proven otherwise, the scripts are “Missing,” not “Stolen.” I work for the postal service and can tell you that there is a vast channel of automated equipment processing these things at a very high speed.  The scripts were in an envelope, not a secure box, and they may have been ejected from their envelope during processing. Now, if there is identifying information on a script, it can and would be reunited with the sender. Without some sort of address, maybe not. But it’s unfair of Cory to repeat the unproven claim that the postal service ‘stole’ the scripts. Finally, the commenters who claim there is no secure way to track, or send something hand-to-hand, are mistaken. There are options, like Registered Mail or Express Mail.

]]> By: sockdoll http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188799 sockdoll Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188799 Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by incompetence. Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by incompetence.

]]> By: Iscah http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188771 Iscah Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188771 I'm consistently amused at the assumption that all postal employees are the same - and they're all like you.  BTW, for those commenting that it should have been registered, etc., a quote from Martin's post: " Dan Weiss sent them across the pond (registered and priority, signature required)." I’m consistently amused at the assumption that all postal employees are the same – and they’re all like you. 

BTW, for those commenting that it should have been registered, etc., a quote from Martin’s post: ” Dan Weiss sent them across the pond (registered and priority, signature required).”

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188677 dculberson Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188677 I really like that idea!  Especially if it comes with the promise of the script if it ever turns up!! I really like that idea!  Especially if it comes with the promise of the script if it ever turns up!!

]]> By: arbitraryaardvark http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188641 arbitraryaardvark Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188641 they could auction off the letter and the empty plastic bag. might get more than they expect. they could auction off the letter and the empty plastic bag. might get more than they expect.

]]> By: Not a restaurant! http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188620 Not a restaurant! Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188620 Some irony here about grrm whining about Lost...  Some irony here about grrm whining about Lost… 

]]> By: Bevatron Repairman http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188605 Bevatron Repairman Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188605 I taped a one dollar bill onto a postcard and mailed it to a friend, just to see what would happen.  When she got it, it had been nicely packaged in a clear baggie with the dollar still attached.   I taped a one dollar bill onto a postcard and mailed it to a friend, just to see what would happen.  When she got it, it had been nicely packaged in a clear baggie with the dollar still attached.  

]]> By: thebelgianpanda http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188603 thebelgianpanda Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188603 I just sent this link to my wife, saying I was surprised it wasn't declared and insured for the amount they thought they would get at auction.  Her response was: "Yeah, that's like Stark stupid" I just sent this link to my wife, saying I was surprised it wasn’t declared and insured for the amount they thought they would get at auction.  Her response was:

“Yeah, that’s like Stark stupid”

]]> By: thebelgianpanda http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188596 thebelgianpanda Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188596 I declare Punchcard Winner of the Internets! I declare Punchcard Winner of the Internets!

]]> By: David Newman http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188571 David Newman Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188571 Well, it is usual to use the Post Office in the UK, it is usually pretty safe. But in this case I would have sent it registered post. And don't assume no one at Tomb Street sorting office wouldn't have heard of the Game of Thrones - particularly if he posted it at the time everyone was distracted by riots in East Belfast between the sorting office and the Titanic Paint Hall where the show is shot. Well, it is usual to use the Post Office in the UK, it is usually pretty safe. But in this case I would have sent it registered post. And don’t assume no one at Tomb Street sorting office wouldn’t have heard of the Game of Thrones – particularly if he posted it at the time everyone was distracted by riots in East Belfast between the sorting office and the Titanic Paint Hall where the show is shot.

]]> By: RJ http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188526 RJ Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188526 The USPS has stolen a CD and two small Nintendo DS-related items that were in transit to me. The CD had a tracking number, but they simply changed status to "delivered" after I phoned to ask why the disc sat in the warehouse for a week. The USPS has stolen a CD and two small Nintendo DS-related items that were in transit to me. The CD had a tracking number, but they simply changed status to “delivered” after I phoned to ask why the disc sat in the warehouse for a week.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188523 dculberson Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188523 I once accidentally dropped my bank deposit into the mail box with the rest of my mail.  I didn't realize it - I knew I couldn't find it but for the life of me but didn't know where it went.  A few days later it turned up in my mail in one of those USPS "damaged mail" envelopes, complete.  They found the address on my deposit slip and put the deposit in the envelope.  Awesome. Since then, I've been a bit more skeptical of "it was stolen" claims.  Seems more likely to me that it was caught in a sorting machine. I don't even know what Game of Thrones is, and I would bet money that the average postal employee, pretty much all of them actually, would have no idea who anyone involved in it is. I once accidentally dropped my bank deposit into the mail box with the rest of my mail.  I didn’t realize it – I knew I couldn’t find it but for the life of me but didn’t know where it went.  A few days later it turned up in my mail in one of those USPS “damaged mail” envelopes, complete.  They found the address on my deposit slip and put the deposit in the envelope.  Awesome.

Since then, I’ve been a bit more skeptical of “it was stolen” claims.  Seems more likely to me that it was caught in a sorting machine.

I don’t even know what Game of Thrones is, and I would bet money that the average postal employee, pretty much all of them actually, would have no idea who anyone involved in it is.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188520 mccrum Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188520 It's not, but due to the fact that they know where your package is at all times, they have two days to get it there and hand delivery by a real person who has you sign something, there's much less opportunity to steal something. Given the USPS has (at most) a general idea where your package is (In Transit) and when it will get there (estimated 5-7 days) and that they're not around when you get it (at most they put down a red flag on the mailbox), I don't send valuable things through them. Letters?  Sure.  Small packages I'll be sad about if they don't arrive?  Great.  A valuable document?  No way. It’s not, but due to the fact that they know where your package is at all times, they have two days to get it there and hand delivery by a real person who has you sign something, there’s much less opportunity to steal something.

Given the USPS has (at most) a general idea where your package is (In Transit) and when it will get there (estimated 5-7 days) and that they’re not around when you get it (at most they put down a red flag on the mailbox), I don’t send valuable things through them.

Letters?  Sure.  Small packages I’ll be sad about if they don’t arrive?  Great.  A valuable document?  No way.

]]> By: unit_1421 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188495 unit_1421 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188495 I had over $1,000 worth of vinyl banners from one of my sponsors stolen out of the tube they were sealed in. I had over $1,000 worth of vinyl banners from one of my sponsors stolen out of the tube they were sealed in.

]]> By: EvilSpirit http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188494 EvilSpirit Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188494 I'm still waiting for the explanation for why FedEx is immune to thievery. Probably because the private sector is so much better at law enforcement that the government. I’m still waiting for the explanation for why FedEx is immune to thievery. Probably because the private sector is so much better at law enforcement that the government.

]]> By: semiotix http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188492 semiotix Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188492 That's probably true, just like it's true that busboys are spitting in your food all the time, dry cleaners are just Febrezing your clothes without washing them all the time, mortuary workers are having sex with your deceased relatives all the time, those who enforce the law are themselves violating it all the time, believers in ideology X are failing to live up to its precepts all the time, judges are taking bribes all the time, cubicle workers are wasting valuable corporate office supplies all the time, parents are failing to nurture their children all the time, and internet commenters are committing the fallacy of <i>secundum quid</i> all the time. You can find dozens of hundreds of examples of all of these things, especially if you don't let yourself get bogged down with the hundreds of thousands or millions of examples where it doesn't happen. Martin could be right--absolutely it's possible. He might even be doing the smart thing by assuming his (much more interesting) guess at what happened is correct, since this is the only possibility where he can actually do something to help himself. But for what it's worth, I've never lost a valuable package in the mail, but I have had a few random pieces of junk mail show up mangled or empty with the same kind of notice he got. If that doesn't convince you that the Post Office <i>never</i> steals valuable things, then the anecdotal opposite shouldn't convince you or anyone else that it happens "all the time." That’s probably true, just like it’s true that busboys are spitting in your food all the time, dry cleaners are just Febrezing your clothes without washing them all the time, mortuary workers are having sex with your deceased relatives all the time, those who enforce the law are themselves violating it all the time, believers in ideology X are failing to live up to its precepts all the time, judges are taking bribes all the time, cubicle workers are wasting valuable corporate office supplies all the time, parents are failing to nurture their children all the time, and internet commenters are committing the fallacy of secundum quid all the time. You can find dozens of hundreds of examples of all of these things, especially if you don’t let yourself get bogged down with the hundreds of thousands or millions of examples where it doesn’t happen.

Martin could be right–absolutely it’s possible. He might even be doing the smart thing by assuming his (much more interesting) guess at what happened is correct, since this is the only possibility where he can actually do something to help himself. But for what it’s worth, I’ve never lost a valuable package in the mail, but I have had a few random pieces of junk mail show up mangled or empty with the same kind of notice he got. If that doesn’t convince you that the Post Office never steals valuable things, then the anecdotal opposite shouldn’t convince you or anyone else that it happens “all the time.”

]]> By: Iscah http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188480 Iscah Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188480 It only takes one of the hundreds of thousands of people who DO know who Mr. Martin is, or what the Game of Thrones show is, to recognize the potential of said envelope.  Your dismissal of the possibility has just as much (or as little) evidence as Martin's speculation that they were intentionally stolen.  Besides that, what he's asking fans to do is to FIND the 'evidence' you complain about the lack of, by keeping an eye on eBay and similar - so why the whining? Dang, Tito.  It only takes one of the hundreds of thousands of people who DO know who Mr. Martin is, or what the Game of Thrones show is, to recognize the potential of said envelope.  Your dismissal of the possibility has just as much (or as little) evidence as Martin’s speculation that they were intentionally stolen.  Besides that, what he’s asking fans to do is to FIND the ‘evidence’ you complain about the lack of, by keeping an eye on eBay and similar – so why the whining? Dang, Tito. 

]]> By: Michael Curran http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188476 Michael Curran Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188476 True, Postal Inspectors take this pretty seriously, if I recall, you don't get 5 years in federal prison for opening a FedEx envelope.  True, Postal Inspectors take this pretty seriously, if I recall, you don’t get 5 years in federal prison for opening a FedEx envelope. 

]]> By: Listener43 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188477 Listener43 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188477 The Postal Inspectors are the oldest US LE Agency (pace the US Marshals and their spurious claims), and they are at least as relentless as their RCMP brethren. I wouldn't want to be the Philistine who ripped open the envelope, if that is what happened, and have the Inspectors looking for me. The Postal Inspectors are the oldest US LE Agency (pace the US Marshals and their spurious claims), and they are at least as relentless as their RCMP brethren. I wouldn’t want to be the Philistine who ripped open the envelope, if that is what happened, and have the Inspectors looking for me.

]]> By: bigbanna http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188468 bigbanna Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188468 the vast majority (i.e. >99%) of people would have no clue at all who he is. Paper scripts are just documents - i.e. reams of paper...  the vast majority (i.e. >99%) of people would have no clue at all who he is.
Paper scripts are just documents – i.e. reams of paper… 

]]> By: Punchcard http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188463 Punchcard Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188463 The appropriate solution is to get Brienne of Tarth to wander around for hundreds and hundreds of pages looking for them. The appropriate solution is to get Brienne of Tarth to wander around for hundreds and hundreds of pages looking for them.

]]> By: Ashen Victor http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188446 Ashen Victor Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188446 He doesn't need to know what is inside, just looking at who is addressed to and the size of the package he/she can suppose it is something worthy. Like... who knows, a draft of the 6th novel or gold ingots (basically the same). He doesn’t need to know what is inside, just looking at who is addressed to and the size of the package he/she can suppose it is something worthy.

Like… who knows, a draft of the 6th novel or gold ingots (basically the same).

]]> By: bigbanna http://boingboing.net/2011/08/15/help-find-the-stolen-scripts-for-game-of-thrones.html#comment-1188443 bigbanna Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=113500#comment-1188443 EXACTLY    EXACTLY   

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