In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor • Hacker News Board

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#21

Post by koboll » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:14 AM UTC

ggm wrote: post #11

This obviously made news here in Australia as well, and it has qualities which I think anyone who has read 'hillbilly elegy' can relate to: in small communities, sometimes there is a cone of silence which is really strong, and quite at odds with what we think of as "the law" Obviously, people know things. But, as a small community, there is a 'hang together, or hang separately' quality here. They are very isolated, a…

>in small communities, sometimes there is a cone of silence which is really strong, and quite at odds with what we think of as "the law"

Really? I got the opposite impression from the article. Everyone is happy to talk about who they think did it, and everyone has their own theory.

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#22

Post by paradite » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:18 AM UTC

Slightly off topic but this reminds me of the movie Identity. Maybe this can be a great material for a documentary style movie (after the case is resolved).

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#23

Post by mlthoughts2018 » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:21 AM UTC

ggm wrote: post #11

This obviously made news here in Australia as well, and it has qualities which I think anyone who has read 'hillbilly elegy' can relate to: in small communities, sometimes there is a cone of silence which is really strong, and quite at odds with what we think of as "the law" Obviously, people know things. But, as a small community, there is a 'hang together, or hang separately' quality here. They are very isolated, a…

> “anyone who has read 'hillbilly elegy' can relate to: in small communities, sometimes there is a cone of silence which is really strong, and quite at odds with what we think of as "the law"”

I both read Hillbilly Elegy and also grew up in a small rural Ohio town near Kentucky, very much in the epicenter of the book’s described culture.

I don’t think the book or rural culture has any type of “cone of silence” like that. People do take the law into their own hands more often, but are usual quite loudmouth about it, especially to outsiders and law enforcement.

If anything, I think this type of culture breeds an entitlement complex where people believe their armchair opinions about local justice ought to be treated as serious matters of policy and law, and are more than happy to run their mouths about it and express anger at local law enforcement using accepted standards in an investigation.

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#24

Post by rhblake » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:22 AM UTC

reaperducer wrote: post #15

booleandilemma wrote: post #13

What if they’re all in on it?

Then they'll have to get Hercule Poirot to investigate. (For those of you who don't read classic mysteries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_on_the_Orient_Express )

Makes me think of this case from the early 80s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_McElroy

("Over the course of his life, McElroy was accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary." ... "McElroy was shot to death in broad daylight as he sat with his wife Trena in his pickup truck on Skidmore's main street. He was struck by bullets from at least two different firearms, in front of a crowd of people estimated as between 30 and 46. To date, no one has been charged in connection with McElroy's death.")

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#25

Post by duxup » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:42 AM UTC

A public inquiry where people actually point fingers seems pretty wild / dramatic.

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#26

Post by Joakal » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:53 AM UTC

paradite wrote: post #22

Slightly off topic but this reminds me of the movie Identity. Maybe this can be a great material for a documentary style movie (after the case is resolved).

Adding to this offtopic chain, there's a game based on a group of people in town and one or more evil doers.

http://www.blankmediagames.com

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#27

Post by duxup » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:56 AM UTC

ggm wrote: post #11

This obviously made news here in Australia as well, and it has qualities which I think anyone who has read 'hillbilly elegy' can relate to: in small communities, sometimes there is a cone of silence which is really strong, and quite at odds with what we think of as "the law" Obviously, people know things. But, as a small community, there is a 'hang together, or hang separately' quality here. They are very isolated, a…

In this case they're pointing fingers for outsiders to watch.

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#28

Post by duxup » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 2:58 AM UTC

>A three-day search by foot, on four-wheel-drives and from the air ruled out death by misadventure. To date, the police have found no trace of Mr. Moriarty or his dog.

I'm kinda surprised that this ruled out something. Particularly in a rural area. I grew up in rural areas and there are often stories of massive searches, and the body didn't turn up until it was stumbled upon surprisingly close to civilization.

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#29

Post by atomical » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 3:05 AM UTC

kirubakaran wrote: post #19

craftyguy wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> sometimes there is a cone of silence which is really strong, and quite at odds with what we think of as "the law" Reminds me of the plot of the movie Hot Fuzz.

Yeah I decided idyllic English villages aren't for me, after watching Hot Fuzz and Midsomer Murders.

I watched a few episodes of Midsomer Murders today. It's a classic.

Re: In a Town of 11 People, Mysterious Disappearance Turns Neighbor Against Neighbor

#30

Post by rossdavidh » Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 3:10 AM UTC

duxup wrote: post #28

>A three-day search by foot, on four-wheel-drives and from the air ruled out death by misadventure. To date, the police have found no trace of Mr. Moriarty or his dog. I'm kinda surprised that this ruled out something. Particularly in a rural area. I grew up in rural areas and there are often stories of massive searches, and the body didn't turn up until it was stumbled upon surprisingly close to civilization.

I suppose it depends on the terrain, but I'd agree. Another possibility is that something in the behavior of the townsfolk during questioning does not suggest, to the police, actual ignorance of what happened. Which wouldn't mean the police are necessarily correct, of course.