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

[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.