Stop Blaming Technology For Stupidity
from the put-the-phone-down dept
Back in March, we noted how stories covering the death of a deaf girl who got hit by a train focused on the fact that she was text messaging when she was killed, rather than the other circumstances leading to her death. Now, in India, a 23-year-old woman has been killed in similar circumstances -- she was crossing a railroad track, talking on a cell phone, when she got struck by a train and killed. This, of course, becomes an article called "Cell phones can kill". The phone really had nothing to do with it, but rather a person who, for some reason, thought it would be a good idea to walk on or cross some train tracks while not paying any attention. Like all these laws banning mobile phone use while driving, these stories are missing the point -- it's distracted and/or stupid people causing the problems, not the cell phones. Blaming and banning one distraction won't prevent these people from finding their way into trouble, it will just force them to find another distraction. So, unless somebody gets struck by lightning on the Great Wall of China and dies because of their phone, let's take it easy on the "Cell phones kill!" headlines.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Good Ol' Days
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Tragedy sells
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The flost art of signalling
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The lost art of signalling
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Lack of blinkers rarely kill people, they usually result in little more than the trading of paint if they result in anything at all. Trying to figure out if you're free next weekend for that party your friend just invited you to while you're approaching that slightly hidden stop sign however .... will create some nasty results.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I disagree...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Just let them do it, they will so become one of the Darwin Awards!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
but if it saves live then i think I'll support it, though I still talk while i drive.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Damned Cellphones!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Stop Blaming...
However the difference with talking on a mobile phone while driving is not a fundamental difference of talking to an unseen party versus talking to a passenger, its the oft-overlooked aspect of HOLDING A BLINDER TO YOUR FACE. You simply cannot fully check your blindspots while holding a phone/blinder to the side of your face. And a simple headset solves this problem. This could have easily been a contributing factor in this girl's unfortunate death.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Stop Blaming...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Deaf
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Deaf
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Deaf
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Deaf
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Deaf
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Deaf
There is a warning in braille on the front of the train, you just don't have very long to read it ;-)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stupidity
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
ipods
I don't think talking on the cell phones causing problems while driving, but the text messaging while driving is a problem.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: ipods
IPods? I think you're reaching a bit...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: ipods
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: ipods
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Talking vs Drunk Driving
Now we all know that drunk driving is bad, but this study shows that talking on a cell phone can be just as bad. There are of course studies that show the exact opposite, but I guess it’s all about who you can believe.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Talking vs Drunk Driving
Besides the fact that Mythbusters is far from scientific proof, that particular episode was really badly done.
First, they used a sample size of *two* which is hardly significant.
Second, for legal reasons, the people they tested were actually slightly below the legal limit for DUI.
Third, they put them on a very difficult obstacle course -- much trickier than what most people drive on a normal basis.
Fourth, the cell phone conversations involved really tricky questions, much more difficult than what most people normally talk about on the phone, requiring a lot more concentration.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Talking vs Drunk Driving
Your significant other breaks up with you;
You are informed of the death of friend or family member;
Your chicken-shit boss fires you;
etc.
Hell, even normal conversation are distracting. Peoiple would rather talk on the phone than be driving. And that's fine. Just don't do both!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Talking vs Drunk Driving
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
And, BTW, no way is talking on the phone while driving analagous to walking on the tracks while deaf.
Okay, go ahead and flame away!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stupid People
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Stupid People
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
If I'm talking, I need to focus on creating what I'm saying. And I can't just stop in the middle of a sentence every time something catches my eye on the road that might or might not be important, or it'll seem like I'm not very invested in the conversation.
Similarly, if I'm listening, I can't just switch my attention away occasionally and ask the person to repeat, or I'll irritate him or her. And if it's hard to make out what the person is saying, as is often the case on cellphone calls, I have to put all my concentration into listening.
So while I can usually switch my attention instantly from the song playing on the car radio to whatever's happening on the road, that's not the case if I'm on a phone call.
There have been various studies to back this up. See for instance Cell Phone Users Drive Like Old Folks; there are many more showing that cell phone use drastically increases reaction time.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
outlaw the outlawing of natural selection
I'm not insensitive, I fight natural selection every day.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: outlaw the outlawing of natural selection
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: outlaw the outlawing of natural selection
Now you can say "stop blaming technology", it's not the technology that is being blamed, but people's poor use of it. There is no doubt that using a cell phone a) increases the time taken to react to changes in traffic situation b) causes reduced spatial awareness and c) takes away the use of one hand. Driving here in Delhi is stressful enough as it is, but you can tell the guy who has a phone glued to his ear almost straightaway because of his erratic driving.
The only reason that people are focusing on cellphones rather than say, driving with eyes closed is because it's pretty damn obvious that the latter is a bad idea. With cellphones, OTOH, evidence indicates that some public education is still necessary. From comments above, it's clear that every cellphone-using driver thinks that it's only other idiots who can't do these things at the same time.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Forget about the phones......
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Forget about the phones......
"TRAINS KILL PEOPLE". Of course my response was:
"Yeah, the stupid ones. It's not like they swerve or anything."
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mass Idiotes
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I just finished a study...
Listen up...placing a law on the book will not get people who are easily distracted driving all of a sudden driving like mario andretti.
Rohan, I am sorry to say that you really need to keep your phone off while driving. Myself, I can walk and chew gum at the same time.
The problem wih legislating this, is why are they not banning people who drive and read newspapers, eating food from a plate with a fork and knife, putting on makeup, or yelling at their spouse like a moron, and my personal favorite, picking their nose.
This country likes to think that there is always one simple solution to a problem, instead of the infinite possibilities that actually are in a simple environment like driving a car. If you ban one, ban them all, or include an IQ test with the driver exam
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lots of respectable people have been hit by trains
The fact of the matter is people are stupid. How do you not notice that you are on train tracks. People have to priortize when using cell phones, either focusing on the conversation or on the road. It just goes to show where some of these people's priorities are.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
And then, there are the ads
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
data compression
Most cell phones today are digital. This means that when you speak in to a phone, the sound gets converted to computer data before it gets transmitted. In order to reduce the amount of data that is transmitted and handled by the telephone switching equipment, it is compressed, just like an MP3 song. The problem is that most cell phone audio is compressed significantly more than even the trashiest MP3 recording you've ever heard. The data compression used by cell phones is lossy, and removes significant portions of the speech. Cell phone companies do this especially so they can cram more calls on the towers, and thus lower the rates.
In order to interpret a conversation on a cell phone, your brain is sub-consiously adding back the information that was removed by the data compression. This, of course takes brain power, that's not being used to operate the vehicle, or whatever task you are attempting to perform while on the phone. CB and other public-service radios are typically analogue, and so they are not affected by this issue.
Add to this, the typical operation of a hand-held cell phone to drop audio frequently and intermittantly, and further distract the driver as they are foolilng with the phone asking the far-end to repeat themselves, or having to re-dial numbers, and you certainly have a recipe for a dangerous driver.
I'm not blaming the phone for the bad driving though, I am blaming the idiots out there that don't know when to responsibly and politely use a phone! I do however hold the phone companies fully responsible for the poor audio quality, and poor performance of the phones, which seems to be a commonplace nowadays!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: data compression
Our laws are designed to protect and preserve the morons of the world. Change that and increase the overall intelligence level.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
It's the Distraction, Stupid!
A blanket prohibition on distractions would be far safer than just requiring hands-free devises or banning cell phone.
What would make the roads even more safe is adequate funding for the police that are charged with monitoring traffic! Here in California, there was a time when trucks in a lane other than the far right, unless passing, were ticketed. Cars driving slowly in lanes other than the far right lane were ticketed. Cars that failed to perform a merge properly were ticketed. Bottom line? People actually knew how to drive.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Imagery
When Hips don't lie, come to think of it any of her songs, comes on the radio. From that time till the song starts till it is over all I can see is Shakira dancing.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Survival of the Fittest
If stupid people continue to kill themselves by being...um...stupid. Is the world not a little better off???
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What has happened to America
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stupidity Amplifiers
But I would say that the equipment becomes a stupidity amplifier, whether it be a cellphone, car, Ipod, or what-have-you - something that makes a stupid mistake have larger consequences than it would without the equipment. Should they ban them? No, but worse accidents will result from them being there than if they weren't there. People do have the right to do stupid things!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
But then the idiot lawyer and family sues the company who makes the lawnmower... COME ON, that's retarded.
So I guess if you choke on bread you should sue the company who made the bread, right?
Idiots are amazing sometimes.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Runaway Lawnmower
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Runaway Lawnmower
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Technology isnt to blame
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
that reminds me of
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bad Drivers drive with cell phones
Maybe we should be able to get license endorsements for cell phone driving (like we do for driving with glasses). If you can pass a cell phone driving road test you can drive with one. Of course we would also need one for air guitar playing while driving.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stupid People??
Paid for by citizens for stupid people....but not clueless.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lets just say...
As the killing spree continues to escilate to thousands of people, do we blame the jerks in restaraunts yaking loudly on thier phone or the violent sociopath constituants?
Do we make a law that stops people from using phones in restaurants? That seems the most logical, because we cant really predict who the sociopaths are.
However, if we continue to comprimise on the side of restricting freedoms, in order to protect ourselves we will eventualy end up with least aware and most vounerable society ever.
People often get irritated at the US's John Wane attitude towards things, but there is good reason to it wether intended or not. From our founders through all of our presidents, we have had this attitude and its the only reason we are all not living in a comunist social society without liberty or freedom. *although we are working that way...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Amazing
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Technology
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The Truth, period!
You don't have the RIGHT to drive, you have the right to earn the responsibility of having a license, doing ANYTHING that violates that responsibility should revoke that privilege.
If you cause an accident that is clearly your fault and because you were being unnecessarily distracted, then you should get your license suspended. Kill a person in an accident, if your not thrown in jail, then you should have your license revoked permanently. Cause multiple accidents with obvious signs of distraction, and your license should be revoked.
Traffic laws are far too lenient and usually all that happens is your fined for the violations. These fines are only designed as an additional source of revenue for governments. Taking bad driver's off the road cost more to implement and enforce and would eat into the profit governments make from traffic violation fines.
Governments DON'T want to take bad drivers off the road. It would reduce gas tax revenue, tax on car sales, income generated from selling licences and license plates and licensing this and that. A reduction of drivers means less car sales, meaning less work in the auto industry and other related industries like steel workers, etc.
Drivers generate a LARGE amount of revenue for governments at the city, state/provincial and national levels and are a huge part of our economy.
But it is f*cking easy and cheap to create a law to ban cellphones or iPods. It gives stupid people the satisfaction of thinking they are safe and that the government is looking out for them, allowing other stupid people to continue to get into accidents regardless and only get paltry fines so they can get back in their car and cause more accidents (and generate more revenue).
Stricter traffic laws with harshre penalties including REMOVING bad drivers from the roads would make the roads safer, period! But governments are not interested in making the roads safer, just getting people that believe cellphones and iPods are dangerous to shut the f*ck up and stop bitching long enough so they can vote for their favourite idiot politician in the next election.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: The Truth, period!
People get their license's revoked every day for all sorts of reasons. In some cases YOU DO get your licensed revoked if you cause an accident that is entirely your fault.
Traffic laws are not far too lenient. In California if you get caught speeding you can expect a ticket over $300. If you go 15mph over the speed limit you can go to jail AND get your licensed revoked. If you run a red light (cameras everywhere) you get fined $340, and this fine gets higher for your second, third, etc.
Governments don't have anything to do with taking bad drivers off the road, that's what the police and courthouses do, and those laws that they create that ban cell phone's, they actually reduce accidents, it's been proven.
Congratulations, this is dumbest comment I've EVER read. You need to stop thinking people are stupid because you are clearly the ignorant one.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Facts for Facts Sake
On a side note, I have to say I hate it when people bring up "Myth Busters". That show gets funded by outside sources just like any other show. Their "results" are gonna swing whatever way they're paid or coerced to go. I will be honest and say I have no proof contrary to their results, but come on lets not just automatically accept TV as truth.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Cellphones....
I believe strongly in rights, everyday I try to encourage their protection. I'll even fight for your right to be the best jack-ass you can be. But, once you cross over the center line talking to your bank about an over draft fee, my cup of givin a crap just ran out. So stay off your cell phones and watch the damn road.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Cell phone destroyed my life...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Cell phone destroyed my life...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Idiocy is here to stay
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Survival
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Survival
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Technology
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Tonight, at 11
Wait, what?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I'd prefer "Kills those with cell phones."
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Technology
[ link to this | view in chronology ]