NationStates Jolt Archive

I've just finished watching a Channel 4 program that told the stories of a few different people who found themselves in threatening situations that escalated to violent life-threatening situations and how people around them reacted. The program showed a couple of instances that were of particular interest to me - a young individual/couple being surrounded, abused and beaten up by a large group of older people all on a pretty full bus of people who did absolutely nothing to help the victims.

I personally just can't identify with people who say don't get involved in such situations, I was also bullied as a school kid so can empathise with such victims even more easily but really... I just can't justify sitting on the fence when somebody directly in front of me is getting the hell beaten out of them or being abused or robbed or something.

Link to C4 vid: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/would-you-save-a-stranger/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1
---

So then, would/have you stayed out of a threatening situation when you could have intervened and helped/saved a stranger? Why would/did you do it and how do you feel about it in retrospect?
:confused:

I would have intervened. I might have also been beaten up, but I would have intervened.

It depends on what's going on. Sometimes, even if you don't like it, the best you can do is nothing.

I don't think I'd have a choice. Bones knit, but a conscience damaged never heals.

It's not a moral choice, it's out of fear. You don't want to be the only person who stands up to a large group of thuggish men, probably wielding knives etc...

Honestly? No, I wouldn't intervene. Because then it'd be me, rather than the stranger, getting beaten up.

Does that make me a bad person?

I am going to go with yes

I would help in any way possible.

It's not a moral choice, it's out of fear. You don't want to be the only person who stands up to a large group of thuggish men, probably wielding knives etc...

And there's no guarantee that, after they're done with you, they won't turn around and do far worse than they were planning to the people you were trying to save.

It's not a moral choice, it's out of fear. You don't want to be the only person who stands up to a large group of thuggish men, probably wielding knives etc...

Just grab a fucking stick and let em' have it.

Just grab a fucking stick and let em' have it.

Sure, that would be ideal. But when you're actually faced with that situation, it can be incredibly frightening. This overwhelming of fear can be enough to freeze many people. I can't say for sure how much I would be overcome with fear.

Just grab a fucking stick and let em' have it.

Is it considered proper to use one's fucking stick outside the bedroom?

Honestly? No, I wouldn't intervene. Because then it'd be me, rather than the stranger, getting beaten up.

Does that make me a bad person?

I am going to go with yes

But what if it was you getting beaten up in the first place - surely you'd be wanting someone to intervene, even just to tell 'em to stop with the incessant beating and footfalls to your head and body??..
:(

Is it considered proper to use one's fucking stick outside the bedroom?

Sometimes - and only on Wednesdays.
:p

Is it considered proper to use one's fucking stick outside the bedroom?

Lol, can't believe I didn't see that.

Is it considered proper to use one's fucking stick outside the bedroom?

I never said mine.

Sure, that would be ideal. But when you're actually faced with that situation, it can be incredibly frightening. This overwhelming of fear can be enough to freeze many people. I can't say for sure how much I would be overcome with fear.

Fear is stronger than love.

Hate is stronger than fear.

I like to think I'd do something.

But what if it was you getting beaten up in the first place - surely you'd be wanting someone to intervene, even just to tell 'em to stop with the incessant beating and footfalls to your head and body??..
:(

Yes, of course I would like that very much. I'm not making a moral argument here. I'm just saying for that reason I wouldn't do it myself, from a selfish point of view, considering that pretty much anyone over the age of 14 would be too much for me in a fight. I wouldn't want to be risking the beating moving over to me. SHOULD people intervene? Of course. WOULD I? I don't think I would.

I never said mine.

I didn't know you swung that way.

I'm not an altruistic person. If there's no net benefit for me, fuck them. I don't care.

I didn't know you swung that way.

I dangerous situations, I swing whatever hurts the most. :D

I'm not an altruistic person. If there's no net benefit for me, fuck them. I don't care.

HUUUURRRRR DUUURRRRRr

HUUUURRRRR DUUURRRRRr

Brain stem injuries are tragic things. You should get that sorted.

You should get that sorted.

I thought you didn't care about other people?

I thought you didn't care about other people?

HURRRR DURRRRRRRRr

Touché

HUUUURRRRR DUUURRRRRr

HURRRR DURRRRRRRRr

*Gets in Monster Truck* *Drives over both of you repeatedly*

MURRRR DURRRRRRRRr

The worst thing is... no one intervened to stop me doing it.

It sounds like a Presidential Election in here.

Hydesland versus Getbrett, with Dumb Ideologies running as third-party.

It sounds like a Presidential Election in here.

Hydesland versus Getbrett, with Dumb Ideologies running as third-party.

Remember: If you don't vote for a third party, you're throwing your vote away!

Remember: If you don't vote for a third party, you're throwing your vote away!

But Getbrett's "MURRRR DURRRRRRRRr" was so convincing.

But Getbrett's "MURRRR DURRRRRRRRr" was so convincing.

That was actually Dumb Ideologies, but as any good politician would do, I'll appropriate it as my own. MURRRR DURRRRRr for some, tiny American flags for others!

But Getbrett's "MURRRR DURRRRRRRRr" was so convincing.

But Jesus would vote for the other two. And Jesus is a douche.

Nuke the pigs.

Nuke the pigs.

Fail. Also, I don't want radioactive bacon.

Fail. Also, I don't want radioactive bacon.

If a radioactive spider makes you stronger and able to cling to walls, what would a radioactive pig do?

That was actually Dumb Ideologies, but as any good politician would do, I'll appropriate it as my own. MURRRR DURRRRRr for some, tiny American flags for others!

I thought it was Hydesland's. :confused:

*Gets in Monster Truck* *Drives over both of you repeatedly*

MURRRR DURRRRRRRRr

The worst thing is... no one intervened to stop me doing it.

I was going to, but I couldn't find an empty phone booth to change into my Superman costume.

I was going to, but I couldn't find an empty phone booth to change into my Superman costume.

*Builds empty phone booth from Kryptonite with automatically locking doors*

If a radioactive spider makes you stronger and able to cling to walls, what would a radioactive pig do?

Peter Porker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Ham)?

Peter Porker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Ham)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=714-Ioa4XQw

[hijacks thread]

I have a tendency to sit there for a second and watch whats going on first which serves me well like last time when it was a guy getting mugged and the muggers saw me standing there in uniform with a miserable expression

i think people that don't intervene are worthless and should have their civil rights removed. it would be like if you were being mugged and a policeman/woman just walked on by. and didn't bat an eyelid.

i makes me angry and people who wouldn't intervene. people like that make me ashamed at being human.

Peter Porker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Ham)?

Rule #34.

Well, if you told me you were drowning,
I would not lend a hand.

I personally just can't identify with people who say don't get involved in such situations
Here's an interesting question - have you ever BEEN in a situation like that?

Because it's very easy for people to say things like "I'd totally intervene!" or "People who don't do anything are horrible!" or even "I don't see why people wouldn't do something", but honestly, unless you've been in a situation like that, experienced exactly what it's like, AND acted, it's absolutely meaningless to act like any of us know what it's like to be in a situation like that, with fear warring with adrenaline, and the guilt of not acting at war with the panic of what will happen if those people decide to redirect their violence at YOU.

It's easy to make moral judgments when you're sitting safely behind a computer monitor, in absolutely no danger, and have time to think about it. It's also complete BS to assume that it accurately reflects real-world conditions in any way.

Here's an interesting question - have you ever BEEN in a situation like that?

Because it's very easy for people to say things like "I'd totally intervene!" or "People who don't do anything are horrible!" or even "I don't see why people wouldn't do something", but honestly, unless you've been in a situation like that, experienced exactly what it's like, AND acted, it's absolutely meaningless to act like any of us know what it's like to be in a situation like that, with fear warring with adrenaline, and the guilt of not acting at war with the panic of what will happen if those people decide to redirect their violence at YOU.

It's easy to make moral judgments when you're sitting safely behind a computer monitor, in absolutely no danger, and have time to think about it. It's also complete BS to assume that it accurately reflects real-world conditions in any way.

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows. It's no stranger to you or me.

BAH-BUM BAH-BUM BAH-BUM BAH-BUM BUM BUM

I have gotten involved. I was once dog-tired, on a packed subway train, coming back from my cubicle-farm job. There was a young woman and her child -- maybe three or four years old -- standing near a door when we pulled into Newkirk Avenue.

These two bitches get on the train complaining loudly about how crowded it was, and I was thinking to myself, "No fucking joke, there are other people on this train?" when they stopped in front of the mother and kid -- and the older bitch told the younger bitch, "Push the woman and the kid off the train so we have room."

I lost it. I'm not particularly tall, but I turned and saw the look on the mom's face and saw red. I started yelling before I got over there, "Big fucking tough bitches, messing with a woman and her kid. You wanna start shit, start it with me! So brave, threatening a kid, why don't you try pushing ME off the train? I'll have both your asses face down in the tracks if you don't get the fuck out now!"

They were absolutely flabbergasted that anyone called them on it, and fortunately for me, several people got up at that point and stood behind me -- otherwise I probably would have had my ass handed to me. They decided to get off the train, and I went back to my pole, muttering about how I was too old and too tired to have to deal with this shit on my way home.

The lady came over and said thank you, which actually embarrassed me, to be honest, and I said, "S'ok, I couldn't watch them do that to you."

I have gotten involved. I was once dog-tired, on a packed subway train, coming back from my cubicle-farm job. There was a young woman and her child -- maybe three or four years old -- standing near a door when we pulled into Newkirk Avenue.

These two bitches get on the train complaining loudly about how crowded it was, and I was thinking to myself, "No fucking joke, there are other people on this train?" when they stopped in front of the mother and kid -- and the older bitch told the younger bitch, "Push the woman and the kid off the train so we have room."

I lost it. I'm not particularly tall, but I turned and saw the look on the mom's face and saw red. I started yelling before I got over there, "Big fucking tough bitches, messing with a woman and her kid. You wanna start shit, start it with me! So brave, threatening a kid, why don't you try pushing ME off the train? I'll have both your asses face down in the tracks if you don't get the fuck out now!"

They were absolutely flabbergasted that anyone called them on it, and fortunately for me, several people got up at that point and stood behind me -- otherwise I probably would have had my ass handed to me. They decided to get off the train, and I went back to my pole, muttering about how I was too old and too tired to have to deal with this shit on my way home.

The lady came over and said thank you, which actually embarrassed me, to be honest, and I said, "S'ok, I couldn't watch them do that to you."

KG's fucking hardcore.

No wonder you moderators are so heavy-handed.

Here's an interesting question - have you ever BEEN in a situation like that?

Because it's very easy for people to say things like "I'd totally intervene!" or "People who don't do anything are horrible!" or even "I don't see why people wouldn't do something", but honestly, unless you've been in a situation like that, experienced exactly what it's like, AND acted, it's absolutely meaningless to act like any of us know what it's like to be in a situation like that, with fear warring with adrenaline, and the guilt of not acting at war with the panic of what will happen if those people decide to redirect their violence at YOU.

It's easy to make moral judgments when you're sitting safely behind a computer monitor, in absolutely no danger, and have time to think about it. It's also complete BS to assume that it accurately reflects real-world conditions in any way.

i have been in such a situation. in chester there are like two rival gangs sort of... the chavs and the goths.

a group of 3 chavs were beating up this young goth in chester park he could of been like 14. and when i saw it i just ran at them and punched and kicked and kneed and i even bit one of them.
not very proud of that and i had a check done aswell if anyone is wondering.

i was arrested for going to the aid of that lad. and nearly got done for GBH. thankfully i didn't but i mean i could never walk past a person who was in trouble ever. and i would happily do all that again.

when the whole world doesn't care about other people will be the day when the world ends.

KG's fucking hardcore.

No wonder you moderators are so heavy-handed.
Nah, more like KG was exhausted, fed up, pretty stupid, very loud, and extremely lucky.

I have gotten involved. I was once dog-tired, on a packed subway train, coming back from my cubicle-farm job. There was a young woman and her child -- maybe three or four years old -- standing near a door when we pulled into Newkirk Avenue.

These two bitches get on the train complaining loudly about how crowded it was, and I was thinking to myself, "No fucking joke, there are other people on this train?" when they stopped in front of the mother and kid -- and the older bitch told the younger bitch, "Push the woman and the kid off the train so we have room."

I lost it. I'm not particularly tall, but I turned and saw the look on the mom's face and saw red. I started yelling before I got over there, "Big fucking tough bitches, messing with a woman and her kid. You wanna start shit, start it with me! So brave, threatening a kid, why don't you try pushing ME off the train? I'll have both your asses face down in the tracks if you don't get the fuck out now!"

They were absolutely flabbergasted that anyone called them on it, and fortunately for me, several people got up at that point and stood behind me -- otherwise I probably would have had my ass handed to me. They decided to get off the train, and I went back to my pole, muttering about how I was too old and too tired to have to deal with this shit on my way home.

The lady came over and said thank you, which actually embarrassed me, to be honest, and I said, "S'ok, I couldn't watch them do that to you."

*NOD* thats how we role :p

I've just finished watching a Channel 4 program that told the stories of a few different people who found themselves in threatening situations that escalated to violent life-threatening situations and how people around them reacted. The program showed a couple of instances that were of particular interest to me - a young individual/couple being surrounded, abused and beaten up by a large group of older people all on a pretty full bus of people who did absolutely nothing to help the victims.

I personally just can't identify with people who say don't get involved in such situations, I was also bullied as a school kid so can empathise with such victims even more easily but really... I just can't justify sitting on the fence when somebody directly in front of me is getting the hell beaten out of them or being abused or robbed or something.

Link to C4 vid: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/would-you-save-a-stranger/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1
---

So then, would/have you stayed out of a threatening situation when you could have intervened and helped/saved a stranger? Why would/did you do it and how do you feel about it in retrospect?
:confused:I've intervened and i've sat out. Not really sure i have any good explanation, other than knowing at the time i should do it or not do it.

would I save a stranger. Depends.
Does he she look like they have some money?
Maybe looks like someone that would send me an expensive gift, or invite me to eat at a fancy restaurant with them and their friends(whom I can fleece on bogus investment ideas). If their looks like a positive return for jumping in money wise I am there, if it just looks like i am going to beat down and wake up in a hospital with bills it is not my concern.

Here's an interesting question - have you ever BEEN in a situation like that?

Unfortunately I have been put in those types of very challenging situations a fair few times and not once been able to just stand back, I've been assaulted twice for standing against these vicious people but have never regretted it and would do it again given a chance.

I'm not a particularly scary or strong guy so I don't really expect to be able to win in a fight - but whilst yeah, it's damn well bloody scary most of the time if you confront someone I seriously just can't identify with those who willingly do nothing. Some people are rooted with fear, that's understandeable but when a crowd of people allow such an attack to occur before them I feel it really is quite unforgiveable.

Generally I don't actually expect the majority of people to take a stand against the vicious buggers but I kinda expect people to at least back me up by standing behind me or something if I decide to take the lead and make a stand.

I watched that program a couple of weeks ago, and I've actually intervened in reality. Didn't put me on the fucking show though. Anyway, in all of the scenarios in the program I would've have intervened, except for the one when 10 - 15 kids were beating up a smaller kid with sticks and belts, because to be honest there's not much you can do in that situation.

I watched that program a couple of weeks ago, and I've actually intervened in reality. Didn't put me on the fucking show though. Anyway, in all of the scenarios in the program I would've have intervened, except for the one when 10 - 15 kids were beating up a smaller kid with sticks and belts, because to be honest there's not much you can do in that situation.

You're scared of kids with sticks?




Was it quite recently you intervened?

You're scared of kids with sticks?


They were about 15/16, there were 10 - 15 of them and they had belts and sticks. I'm sorry, but had I been there I don't think I would have intervened.

Was it quite recently you intervened?

I've done it a couple of times, physically and verbally, but the most recent was about November time, maybe October.

They were about 15/16, there were 10 - 15 of them and they had belts and sticks. I'm sorry, but had I been there I don't think I would have intervened..

Even if you were with your mates?

I've done it a couple of times, physically and verbally, but the most recent was about November time, maybe October
Was it serious?

Even if you were with your mates?

Oh, I probably would then. If I had more than 2 people with me.

Was it serious?

A couple were, one could have been but wasn't and another wasn't that serious at all.

Oh, I probably would then. If I had more than 2 people with me..

Fai enough, kids can be bastads.

A couple were, one could have been but wasn't and another wasn't that serious at all.
I'm gonn peend I understood that, okay?

I watched that program a couple of weeks ago, and I've actually intervened in reality. Didn't put me on the fucking show though. Anyway, in all of the scenarios in the program I would've have intervened, except for the one when 10 - 15 kids were beating up a smaller kid with sticks and belts, because to be honest there's not much you can do in that situation.

I would have intervened I think - I just wouldn't be able to justify myself to just sit there and turn my face away, that kid was someones little brother and if my little brother found himself in that situation then I would definately be there inbetween him and the attackers. Besides which; in that actual situation there were a group of 25+ year olds who just sat by - watching... it was very disgusting - even just watching the reconstruction was disgusting.

Yeah, I probably would have been attacked by the little feckers but I would have been doing it to help that young kid - usually to stop something like that all it takes is someone to shout out against it, people tend to stand with someone who shouts out against it. Also, nobody called the police - it was a disgusting situation to watch!

:(

I'm gonn peend I understood that, okay?

Eh?

Eh?

Huh?

I would have intervened I think - I just wouldn't be able to justify myself to just sit there and turn my face away, that kid was someones little brother and if my little brother found himself in that situation then I would definately be there inbetween him and the attackers. Besides which; in that actual situation there were a group of 25+ year olds who just sat by - watching... it was very disgusting - even just watching the reconstruction was disgusting.

Yeah, I probably would have been attacked by the little feckers but I would have been doing it to help that young kid - usually to stop something like that all it takes is someone to shout out against it, people tend to stand with someone who shouts out against it. Also, nobody called the police - it was a disgusting situation to watch!

:(


I think he's 24.

Huh?

I couldn't understand what you wrote.

I couldn't understand what you wrote.

Exactly, I couldn't understand what you wrote.(b4)

Besides which; in that actual situation there were a group of 25+ year olds who just sat by - watching... it was very disgusting - even just watching the reconstruction was disgusting.

That's the part that angered me the most. There was a group of about 6 of them, all in their 20s, and they did nothing.

Exactly, I couldn't understand what you wrote.(b4)

Oh right. What I meant was in the situations where I've intervened, a couple were serious (as in people getting pumelled), one could have been but got diffused, and another wasn't that bad.

That's the part that angered me the most. There was a group of about 6 of them, all in their 20s, and they did nothing.


On the TV, right?

On the TV, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

What was the programme?

What was the programme?

Oh my God. It was called Would You Save A Stragner, and the link to it is in the first post.

What was the programme?

lol Strange person aren't ya?..

lol Strange person aren't ya?..

Stranger than you can imagine.

Nah, more like KG was exhausted, fed up, pretty stupid, very loud, and extremely lucky.
...and tres hawt.
http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/cool29.gif

I would intervene, and hope G-d backs me up, such as inflicting the same kind of stupidity that caused Hitler to invade Russia on my foes, or being real nice and giving me superpowers, because aside from that, all I have going for me in a fight is my brain (and hopefully the element of surprise).

I'd help a stranger yes... especially when there was a group of other people around too. I found that most people would be willing to intervene, but they need someone else to take the lead because they themselves are afraid to be left stranded. I've had a gun pointed at me more than once, and I was able to keep my cool then, seeing a group of unarmed people attack someone is something I think I wouldn't have any trouble intervening in.

I would have intervened. I might have also been beaten up, but I would have intervened.

Same, except there's a small chance I'd have access to a firearm and some attackers would die and I'd be in deep legal doodoo thanks to the litigation-happy system we have in this country.

...and tres hawt.
http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/cool29.gif
:$

Thanks. :)
A lot of times when it's still bluster like that, and people haven't actually escalated to violence, making a big fucking scene and attracting attention is enough to nip it in the bud. But I still recognize the stupidity of someone five foot nuthin' getting into two peoples' faces.

Maybe they thought I was completely insane. Arguing with crazy is often a bad idea.