The Boston Marathon Bombing: Keep Calm and Carry On

Post by intended » Tue, Apr 16, 2013, 9:20 PM UTC

kamaal wrote: post #118

sheri wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let me offer a different opinion. There was a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993. Thirteen different explosions in the span of a few hours across the city's landmarks. 250 people died. One of the blasts was in the Bombay stock exchange. This was on a Friday, and the stock exchange opened for business on Monday. This was a huge PR win for Mumbai, as the media talked about the resilience of the residents and the m…

>>Mumbai still carries on, but there is no pride in doing that anymore. Not just that. But think of it this way, most people who are already having hand-to-mouth have no other option but to show up at their jobs next day.

Post by darkarmani » Tue, Apr 16, 2013, 9:45 PM UTC

rayiner wrote: post #24

afhof wrote: post #19

Its too bad that most people don't have a basic appreciation of statistics or probability. Its too bad Schneier only spends a tiny paragraph on it: "Even though this will be in the news for weeks, we should recognize this for what it is: a rare event". The chance that a person will die from a bombing, or be shot, or their plane crash, or a hurricane kill them is so small that there is almost NO reason to be afraid of…

People don't react to terrorism because they're afraid of being blown up personally. They do it because they're afraid of the precedent that might be set by not responding. It's statistically unlikely that you'll be the victim of gang violence, but does that mean it's irrational prosecute and punish gang members? No, because the activity threatens social stability vastly out of proportion with the probability of any…

Post by mullingitover » Tue, Apr 16, 2013, 10:35 PM UTC

nraynaud wrote: post #169

chii wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what does it say on it, if you can recall?

That they mobbed some soldiers who openend fire and killed five. With a real effort on painting the soldiers in a negative light, and the mob in a positive light. My head was screaming: "in Vietnam, Iraq or Afganistan there would be medals for that, this is all about spinning the news".

Post by anigbrowl » Tue, Apr 16, 2013, 10:46 PM UTC

jlgreco wrote: post #182

jlgreco wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> under the Pax Romana Europe enjoyed an extremely well-developed civil society that brought self-evident benefits to the participants, just like our culture of appreciation for scientific progress, the arts, and political theories...a culture which is not nearly as universal as you seem to imagine. What is your point? I am not claiming that the aspects of our society that we cherish are unique to our society, or wer…

Apparently I've said something offensive. I suppose optimism and confidence in the resiliency of modern society is not patriotic if it means I am not beating the drums of war loud enough. By all means, you can all carry on being afraid. Your fear, your lack of resolve, your lack of confidence in our way of life... that is the real threat. It is that which the (few existing) terrorists wish to stoke.

Post by gknoy » Tue, Apr 16, 2013, 11:43 PM UTC

rayiner wrote: post #43

tuxidomasx wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This might explain the political response to terrorism, but I'm not sure it applies to the individual. Fear of setting a bad precedent which could lead to the undermining of civil order seems to be a more complex feeling than that of being the victim of an attack. It's been my experience that the most common fears of an individual are related to sudden/unexpected pain and/or death, not concern for the social good. An…

Because people aren't just worried about death. They're worried about social order. Yes, not just governments but individuals worry about social order. It is a luxury of growing up in the west that allows people to say stuff like only governments worry about social order. Highway accidents don't have the potential to undermine social order the way terrorism does.