Comments on: Podcast Prep

By: Al Abut

Al Abut — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 09:36:13 +0000

KCRW: never heard of it before, been listening to it while working the last two days, it’s good stuff. It’s better than the itunes radio streaming I’d been using. And I can’t seem to get into podcasts yet, whether offering or listening to. I don’t commute anywhere and can’t work with talk radio on, it’s too distracting. I don’t even like vocals in the music, instrumental electronica or classical is the best and like fuel for the entire day – I tend to forget the lunch hour when really going.

Abuse: I thought I’d be the good samaritan type for most of my adult life, but when I was actually faced with it in San Francisco a few years back, the situation played out in a way that changed my thinking. I conscientiously called the cops and watched with smug satisfaction as they showed up near instaneously. I was thinking, that’s right pal, you’re going to get your comeuppance now. What happened? She saw the cops, started hugging him and acting all lovey dovey, even trying to put herself between him and them, telling the cops they were wrong, nothing happened. Then they finally get her aside and the Asian woman cop (she was gorgeous, perfect makeup) started patting him down, searching for stuff and she just kept. Running. Her. Mouth. The guy cop finally had to turn to her and yell at the top of his voice to SHUT UP. That’s when she looked up and looked like she was going to cry, like this “great, now what, what could go worse?” kind of moment. You idiot, he could have snapped your neck and when the cavalry comes, you treat them like they’re the problem? WTF man.

I’ve been conflicted ever since and leave people to their own devices now. Reading Ayn Rand recently didn’t help either, pushed me even further away trying to be responsible for other people’s problems.

By: Thivai

Thivai — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 07:36:33 +0000

Yes, I do listen to them all the time on my computer–its my Tv and radio at home (since I can find what i want to hear/watch when I want)… you are luring toward the I-Pods despite my misgivings about walking around with ear phones–it seems to seal me off from the world that i should be pating attention to (outisde my four walls)… but it does sound good for running …

By: irasali

irasali — Sun, 13 Mar 2005 20:54:59 +0000

if i saw a man hitting his wife/girlfriend i would not get involved. you never know how she is going to react and good intentions can backfire. perhaps asking her if she wants/needs help is an option? but i would definitely place a call to the police.

By: oso

oso — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 00:25:21 +0000

Huh, I was expecting everyone to say they’d step in no matter what.

at what point do universal human morals give way to cultural sensitivity?

That’s what I’ve been dealing with the most these past couple weeks. It’s a tough question, especially since I have a tough time believing in “universal human morals” period. So instead it becomes a question of imposing my values on someone else. (which lately I’ve been doing a lot lately – “why can’t you dumbshits learn how to drive?!!!” I scream every day)

Anyway, I’m pretty sure that there are people all over the world – men and women alike – who believe it’s a man’s duty to hit his wife, just like it’s a parent’s duty to spank his/her child.

By: ChrisN

ChrisN — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 22:55:38 +0000

Re Podcasts – That is swass. I love KCRW. I still want FM on my mp3 player though, I’m stubborn. Apple is forcing me to buy an iAUDIO.

Re Abuse – In my experience, getting involved always ends up badly, but I would feel worse not doing anything. Another country, that’s something different. I feel far too exposed to confront anyone. If it was serious I would call the cops, but that’s probably about it. It is always a fine line – at what point do universal human morals give way to cultural sensitivity?

By: Bobbo

Bobbo — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 20:51:57 +0000

Do nothing. It’s not my business, I don’t know their history, background, situation, etc. Do nothing unless someone asks for help or it gets to the point where you would attempt to “break it up” no matter if it was a couple or not.

By: elenamary

elenamary — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 13:43:57 +0000

I do nothing. And I have had the situation happen both here and in Mexico. In Mexico I was in my neighborhood church plaza, tons of people. Man kept punching his partner, threw her on a huge pile of rocks, which must’ve hurt and kicked her some more. I did nothing. I would do nothing, until she calls out for help. She calls out for help I am fucking kicking the shit out of that mother fucker….but she didn’t so, I just watched.
In the US I haven’t seen as much continued violence, just the slap or punch. And I watch. I was with some friends who called the police once when a guy punched his girlfriend. The police came and told them he hadn’t done anything.
Until the victim asks for help, they are likely to defend their abuser, say it was their own fault, and if you step in you might get their ass kicked even more as the abuser blames the victim for the audiance.
So, no, I don’t do anything unless asked. And beware sometimes when asked the victim will go right back to the abuser.

By: Daily Texican

Daily Texican — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 05:03:42 +0000

no matter what country i would step in. it’s just not right. but that’s what i say now. i hope i would do it. i’ve done it before. it’s just easier to look the other way.

- dude, you lose me everytime you talk about your fancy techonlogy stuff.

By: oso

oso — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 03:23:03 +0000

I know the feeling. I was robbed by knifepoint in broad daylight once with at least 20 people just staring at the whole thing happen. At least your sister is safe. Much better down a purse than being injured or worse.

But what I was referring to is when it’s obviously a couple – husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend and they’re in an argument that has escalated into violence. When should someone step in?

By: cindylu

cindylu — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 03:14:51 +0000

You know when my sister got her purse stolen last week in the middle of a Wal-Mart parking lot at 5:30 p.m. no one did anything. She was tugging on the purse as the thief was walking the other way and no one tried to help her until she called for help. Makes me wonder what went through the minds of the people who saw a young woman getting robbed. I know if I was being attacked or beaten, I’d certainly like someone to step in.