Killer Gadgets
Posted by Michelle Moquin on October 28th, 2013
Good morning!
I realize that all of our gadgets are supposed to keep us connected. And yes they do, to a certain degree. Yet, so much of the time I feel so disconnected from the world when I am out and about during my day. It is because people don’t connect with each other in face time; it is all done in cyberspace over gadgets, that it seems, so many are obsessed with.
I am not one who is checking every minute to see if someone called me, or Facebooked me or that God awful texting. I know that texting is quick and easy, but for anything more than a “Yes” or “No” answer, or to send a short message – no response other than “Thank you,” is required, or to tell someone “I am busy with a client – will call later,” in my opinion, is a waste of time.
I can’t tell you how many times I have texted a response only to wish that I had just had a conversation which would’ve taken at least half the time. If you think things are misconstrued via e-mail, texting is much worse. I avoid texting but some of my friends simply refuse to contact me any other way, so I deal with it as best as I can.
Although texting may not be my thing, and staying hooked into my gadget 24/7 is also not habit for me, for so many it is. And now because all eyes are focused intently on small gadgets in their hands, instead of connecting with people and their surroundings, a young man has been shot in the back and killed. The killer flashed his gun quite a few times, in front of a dozen people, but sadly no one was paying attention.
Here’s the write:
Gadget-Absorbed Commuters Failed to Notice Gun Before Fatal Shooting
Gadget-absorbed passengers on a San Francisco train were too distracted to notice a gunman brandish his firearm before he allegedly shot a 20-year-old man to death, the district attorney said.
Justin Valdez of Garden Grove, Calif., was allegedly shot in the back of the head as he exited a train last month by a man who flashed his .45-caliber pistol several times on the train, authorities said.
Officials came to that conclusion after they reviewed Sept. 23 footage from a surveillance camera on the San Francisco Municipal Railway car. Authorities have not released the surveillance video to the public.
Suspect Nikhom Thephakaysone, 30, has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and assault with a semi-automatic handgun. He is expected to appear in court Nov. 20. Thephakaysone is being held without bail.
The footage, according to San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, shows Thephakaysone brandishing the gun “at least three or four times” and at one point he raised the gun near his face.
“You can see people sitting or standing around him and they are busy working with their tablets or their mobile smartphones, completely distracted,” Gascon told ABC News.
Valdez was standing across from Thephakaysone with his back toward him and didn’t appear to notice the gun either, according to Gascon.
“We’re not seeing the entire car but there were easily eight to twelve people right in that immediate area within probably two to three feet away from him at the time,” Gascon added. “It’s very disturbing because the lack of awareness of your surrounding is so blatant in this case.”
Thephakaysone stepped out of the train slowly when the train came to a stop and allegedly fired one shot to the back of Valdez’s head, Gascon said.
“[Thephakaysone] ran away and people started reacting but, unfortunately, prior to that people were completely distracted and not seeing what was occurring,” he said.
Police say the two men didn’t know each other and the shooting was unprovoked.
“My brother was completely innocent and there was no reason for him to be killed. He was too young to die,” Valdez’s sister, Jessica Labidi, told ABC News.”I always try to stay strong and I know that God has a reason even though it seems completely random and unexpected.”
Officials arrested Thephakaysone four hours later at his home where they allegedly confiscated assault rifles, $20,000 in cash, ammunition and “some survivalist type clothing and equipment,” Gascon said.
Readers: My life is full and abundant. I love connecting with people. As much as I like social media, I see the blank faces of people as they are zoning out to whatever is on their gadget. In my opinion, for many, these gadgets are just a replacement for television, and should be given limited time.
That’s my two on the subject, what’s yours? Blog me.
Howie: Funny, you remember that dialogue. It was probably over 5 years ago, but obviously I remember it quite well too. Did you ever think we would be here this long? I certainly didn’t.
That is an interesting story about your friend. It doesn’t surprise me. But oh, how I wish it did.
How is Carr? I HOPE both of you are doing good. Al too.
Peace out.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)
Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:
Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129
Thank you for your loyal support!
All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012
“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream
" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"
October 28th, 2013 at 10:37 am
People can be totally distracted by their gadgets though I wonder if in this instance if there might’ve been a bigger bloodbath had anyone called him out, I don’t know the full story, just what’s written above. Clearly he is a disturbed individual who killed an innocent in an incredibly cowardly way, a shot to the back of the head(?!) – he may have just kept firing under other circumstances (people yelling at him, to others to take cover), I don’t know.
& I am a full-blown texter, I’ll admit it. I don’t mind a yak on the phone but if I can sort details and set up appts/give reminders via text I am down. I have also found it helpful when trying to state your view without being interupted and led down another conversational path, I can stay on point and make sure the other party does also.
I do not use it as a replacement for in person live contact but I do like it a lot. I also know when to put it down, weekends betw noon on Sat and 7pm on Sun, unless you are my kid or I am expecting your call you go to vmail and your text answer is yes/no/’gt bk 2 u Mon’ IF I even respond, (you do have to train people to respect your boundaries, whatever they are : )
Luv, Zen Lill
PS Howie & Mischa, how nostalgic a revisit to the ‘rose colored’ glasses convo, I do recall it from long ago…and Misch, you didn’t ask me but no, I would never have guessed I’d still be here almost daily after 5+ years, I am thrilled about it though, and thrilled that Howie has rejoined the conversation, you were missed Friend.
October 28th, 2013 at 8:30 pm
No woman no drive
http://youtu.be/odgo0-aAvXA