(OT) Teenager dies of Acute Stupidity Disorder

[Tiefling]

Go ahead and cast your stones if you've never done anything stupid.

It's not that I've never done anything stupid, it's just that I've never done anything stupid on such a massive scale. I mean, the hole is right next to the ocean, and I'll bet my soul that you can hear the sounds of the water down the hole. It would take what, three seconds for an 18-year-old brain to compute that the only reason for a the hole to be there is that it was eroded by the water, neccesitating that the water could get as high as the opening with considerable force left in it? The kid stood over it for at least 30 seconds.

An 8-year-old, sure. An 18-year-old, no dice.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

What a sad story.

Do I feel sorry for the kid? Kinda, he did something dumb and paid for it big time. I feel almost as sorry for the girl who was there with him and watched it happen.

Should there be a grate over the blowhole? I don't know without looking at the surroundings. Is there anything pointing out the danger? Just because an 18 year old died today by being stupid doesnt mean it couldnt be a 6 year old next week that thinks he found a cool hole in the ground to play around and gets killed.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

It's not that I've never done anything stupid, it's just that I've never done anything stupid on such a massive scale. I mean, the hole is right next to the ocean, and I'll bet my soul that you can hear the sounds of the water down the hole. It would take what, three seconds for an 18-year-old brain to compute that the only reason for a the hole to be there is that it was eroded by the water, neccesitating that the water could get as high as the opening with considerable force left in it? The kid stood over it for at least 30 seconds.

An 8-year-old, sure. An 18-year-old, no dice.

You obviously didn't go to public school. I'm sure 75% of high school graduates wouldn't even know the definition of "erosion," let alone be able to reason that quickly.

Of the 15 or so college-aged people I work with, I'm the only one who voted in the recent primary elections. The other 14 ALL voted for their favorite American Idol.

 

[TiQuinn]

It's a tragic accident, and the mother is reacting to her grief, which is understandable. According to the article, there were no warning signs posted, and from the description, I'm unsure if it was even posted that the site was a blowhole. I think the metal grate is a bad idea, but the area could be roped off and warning signs posted. People want to blame somebody when something tragic happens, especially when nobody is at fault or even worse, when the person harmed or killed is the only person at fault. It's a natural response.

 

[Mark]

Points to consider:

1. The officials quoted in the story don't seem overly enthusiastic about doing anything about it, and presumably they know more about it than I, the Mother and family, and apparently the reporter.

2. The Islands that make up Hawaii seem to have existed for a long time, yet nothing ever has needed to be done about this?

5. The guy, an adult (18 years old), stretched himself out over an open hole in the ground without, apparently, considering the consequences while in unfamiliar surroundings.

Having considered these points as I was reading about the tragedy, I decided to go with the possibility that he took his chances, paid the price, and no amount of mourning will bring him back. Instead of being apalled at my seeing the humor in this, which is easy, why not contact the family, the newspaper or more to see how you can help. That shows a real concern. Let me know if they have begun taking up a fund for the grating over the natural feature of beauty that is now being vilified. It will be interesting to see how many people follow up beyond just posting outrage at comments that are meant to keep looking up, instead of down...

*edit* To adjust for Tieflings astute observations *end edit*

 

[Tiefling]

According to this article:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Jul/01/ln/ln02a.html

there have been three previous incidents, two of which resulted in fatalities.

Also according to the article, the kid passed a warning sign, and despite warnings from other spectators leaned over the blowhole to feel the force of the water against his chest.

Doesn't sound like he was ignorant to me.

 

[TiQuinn]

According to this article:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Jul/01/ln/ln02a.html

there have been three previous incidents, two of which resulted in fatalities.

Also according to the article, the kid passed a warning sign, and despite warnings from other spectators leaned over the blowhole to feel the force of the water against his chest.

Doesn't sound like he was ignorant to me.

Man, that first article was very misleading then. It indicated that there were no warning signs posted.

 

[slaughterj]

Man, that first article was just plain wrong then. It stated there were no warning signs.

If correct, it's yet another example of media d*mbassness.


[OT - Tiefling, I see we are in the same area, you go to UNC or just live in Chapel Hill? Go to Cerebral Hobbies any?]

 

[Hejdun]

getting killed by a Vending Machine

Do tell...

 

[Bagpuss]

Go ahead and cast your stones if you've never done anything stupid.

I've never done anything stupid enough to get me killed. I'm guessing that goes for most people here. Maybe you have and were just lucky.

His death no matter how much a grate would have prevented it is no reason to install a grate.