Go home team! We did it!

[vicarz]

Today was full of thinking people were mis-categorizing themselves and others. Remember in Vonnegut's Bokonon religion there was a term for people who thought they were in the same group as others but were often wrong, such as whether people on the plane were "Hoosiers" or not. He contrasts them to a quiet couple that simply "are" together.

In the airport I saw a woman with lots of makeup on go up to 2 people in fatigues and "thank them for their service." I reflexively turned away in disgust, but quickly recalled I have a friend who says they do this too with positive results. By the time I turned back she was gone and the two military folks (m & f) had small scowls on.

I got a strange email on my bb while flying to Madison, WI, saying they hoped everyone in the DC area was alright in light of the tragedy. Huh? Turns out metro had a crash in which TWO people were killed. TWO. I would like to note that while I did just fly in an airplane, I was not killed in the Air France crash that you may have heard about on the news.

Ever have a conversation like this:
"Oh, you're from the United States? Do you know "Bob?"

Washington itself has a population of about 600k, which about doubles during each day as commuters go to work, while DCMetro as an entire area is listed as a population of over 5 million. The metro rail system moves an average of over 700k people per day.

I know, I know…I know she means well. But still I "yeesh."

Comments

[one-andrea.livejournal.com]

The death toll is up to four as well as many injured. It was at 5pm so chances are you will hear about someone knowing someone....

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Actually no - I posted the numbers above, and the chances are overwhelmingly in favor of me not knowing any of the people even if the toll rises into the dozens or even if you include injured but alive.

Not saying it isn't a horrible thing, just that it's odd to think that despite all the odds people expect it might affect the few people they know.

[grymnir.livejournal.com]

by the way my friend, how do I say this? Ah - don't be a dick. I for one do NOT know your travel route, nor days on travel, so you rank as one of those I would be concerned abut because you might take the red line for all I know. BTW - fatalities are up to 6.
Regardless, yes she meant well, just as I really meant it when I asked my f-list if anyone takes that route; some of us are out of touch, remember? And as for flying--well--had you mentioned flying to Paris by way of Brazil we might have been worried, right?

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Not trying to be a dick by quoting #s? If the death toll goes into the dozens, still highly unlikely those of us that live here will know any of them, never mind expats.

Someone won the lottery up in b'more a while ago, and nobody asked if it was me.

[thesaucemonster.livejournal.com]

It's confirmed that six are dead. While you may not know anyone, the fact is that this is the most deadly crash in Metro's 33-year history. While six dead and 100+ injured isn't that much depending on what you compare it to (the Brazil to France plane crash, for example), it's still the deadliest according to Metro history. I know you don't have a bleeding heart or anything, but maybe a little more sensitivity?

If you've seen the pictures, they're pretty intense and scary. To me, at least.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I'm obviously missing something here on the road - maybe seeing the pictures. I just can't get around the statistics - and why I see it so differently.

[turbogrrl.livejournal.com]

the important thing to keep in mind is that statistics are only a motivator and comfort for the statistically small number of people who actually find statistics more compelling than the emotions of their fellow compatriots.

So, I can cerebrally understand why this is of small import emotionally to you, but it's important for you to understand that it is of large import to others so that you don't inadvertently belittle them. (it's another thing altogether if you do it deliberately).

Yes, there are deadlier car crashes. That's not the point.

[joanarkham.livejournal.com]

Nine dead and counting. I did make an effort to contact a few folks who I know take the red line at that hour. I wasn't wailing and gnashing my teeth but I was somewhat concerned.

I like to think I'm pretty logical most of the time. But I still worry about people I know, even if the chance of something bad happening is really, really, really small.

[djpsyche.livejournal.com]

I for one appreciated it when people checked in with me after the 2005 bombings, as I am a commuter in London. Yes, the odds are tiny that I was one of the people affected; but what if I were? It would be horrible if no one even cared enough to make sure.

[feistydiva.livejournal.com]

My comment has nothing to do with the stats post.

(Although, I did think of you when I heard about and saw the news... but then I remembered that you opt to drive to points north since mass transit is not effective for traveling to your place of work.)

I think we Metro riders view the system as being essentially the safest way to commute to work around here. The worst that could possibly happen to you while you're on a train is having your bag stolen while napping or being hit in the face by some ignorant tourist's backpack. I suspect few people would expect that two trains would collide like that with all of the checks-and-balances that are supposed to be in place.

Vehicle accidents happen on the Beltway all the time. Air travel accidents seems to occur frequently as well. Subway accidents are not the norm.

The photos are pretty horrifying, with the bottom of one train peeled back like a sardine tin and the other crunched up like a soda can. It makes you realize that the Metro cars are not the most sturdily-built things they appear to be. [shiver]

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Thank you - that makes it make a lot more sense (also talked to Janna about it). I think being on the road with my nose in case files has me missing the experience somehow of seeing the impact pictures or daily mentions.

I often use the same arguments on msyelf because flying is scary and I travel 7 out of 8 weeks in a row right now - I take great comfort in the odds that I'll be fine, despite my inability to control one thing about whether my plane lands or not.