Y&R Discussion Group

Topic: rushlan

I know I am like a broken record.  But this is a very tragic example of what happens when people walk around with their electronics plastered to their ears.  How very sad for this young girl and my heart goes out to her family and friends. 

Girl, 17, killed by Amtrak train in Kent

Teen was walking across the tracks

By KATHY MULADY
P-I REPORTER

That is tragic, but I think it has more to do with not paying attention/not following rules than electronics.

The only time i really use my iPOD is when I'm travelling on the bus, and walking from the bus to work. I cross no train tracks during that time and when I cross the street, I tune out of my iPOD and pay attention to the cars that may be coming. It's simple common sense.

I also avoid walking on train tracks whenever possible (as the article says, it is trespassing, and the schools I went to made sure that we all were aware of that). IF the guard is down - I stop and wait for the train to pass.

If this girl could not have diverted her attention from her phone to be able to look for an oncoming train, she never should have been on the phone in the first place. But I do know many people who know better as well. Maybe it's a generational thing, who knows. But I do know, you cant chalk it all up to modern electronics either.

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Listening to your iPod on a bus is one thing but tuning out completely while on the street or at a crosswalk is another, and I do not chalk it ALL up to electronics; however, there are tragic accidents that could be avoided if people would just pay attention. What is keeping them from that? Their cell phones and earphones. Good for you if you actually tune away from your music when you have to cross the street, I think you are in the minority there. The statistics show that being on a cell phone has caused so many car accidents that using a hand-held phone while driving is becoming illegal here in July. I say good. Honestly, what could be so engrossing on the phone that you couldn't hear a train coming? rushlan

I just think a lot of personal responsibility has gone out of the window. It's always someone else's fault when a tragedy like this happens. But yes, I do have enough sense to know that crossing a street is a heck of a lot more important than listening to my iPOD or whatever. Again, maybe it's generational - I do see many more younger kids constantly on cell phones/iPODS in many dangerous situations. But then again, I see a lot of people my age doing it as well, so maybe not. I agree driving and talking on the phone is dumb, and I would never even think it listen to headphones while driving (I think that's illegal anyway). I dunno....DebS

You are so right, this is completely about personal responsibility and that seems to be hard to find nowadays. I certainly am not blaming the cell phone in this tragedy, that responsibility is completely on the girl, unfortunate as that is for her. rushlan

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Posted by: Mitch
Date posted: Wed Apr 23 10:47:47 2008
Message:
I know.  It happens a lot.  People are far too willing to just "tune out".

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People do tune out too much, in my opinion. I must be an oddball. When I stand on a corner waiting for the light to turn, I like to talk to the people around me. Just a little chit-chat, maybe ask someone how their day was, comment on the weather or that car speeding down the street. It's amazing how some people respond with a smile and an answer. The majority of people I see listening to iPods on the street are all hunched over and looking down. There is no friendliness coming from them at all. Where has all our friendliness gone? I find it very sad. rushlan

Whoops - I'm one of those people, LOL! Honestly though, it's more likely that I'm just stressed out thinking of my next ''to do'' thing at work or whatever, than being rude. Honestly, I see more people doing the same thing in the city. I had a girl try to talk to me today when all i wanted to do was just zone out (didn't feel like intellectual conversation). I was polite, of course, but I did indicate to her I just was not in the mood for small talk w/ a stranger at that point. I have too much other crap going on right now, unfortunately, I guess........DebS

I can usually tell who will not participate in a quick conversation, though I never am looking for any intense conversation, like I said, just chit chat. We probably have different personality types. Take no offense, but you seem to be much more 'type A' than me. I have a lot on my plate, but I am just rollling with it. I so do not want stress in my life, especially if it is my job. rushlan

I don't know if I really fit into type a or b. I can never particularly define myself that way. I was thinking about this some more and it really has to do with my childhood. I was PAINFULLY shy all through my formative years. As a result, I was pretty much ostracized by school mates, whatever. I never had friends and had to learn how to be independant and on my own. It was not until college that I opened up (A LOT!).And now, in the workforce, I'm very outspoken, whatever - but I find that I NEED my alone time. Like if too many people start taking to me, I just go nuts. I can't go without people entirely, of course. But I can seriously go for like a week with absolutely no human interaction and be totally fine. STrange, I know. Also, though, in my job, I'm dealing w/ people all day/every day. I can be in the bathroom stall and I have people asking me questions on their benefits or whatever. I feel like saying, ''uh, hello! can you not see I'm trying to pee!'' LOL. So that could also contribute to it. Anyway, I guess bottom line is that I'm very strange, I guess. I need human interaction, but probably not as much as most people do. Fortunately and unfortunately, I guess. But I've never had the desire to change it, so I guess that's how it will be.........DebS

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Posted by: Jenny
Date posted: Wed Apr 23 2:45:44 2008
Message:

That is so very sad.  I cannot believe that anyone could be that non-chalant about crossing a railroad track.  I don't know why every road + railroad crossing doesn't have a barricade.  Too much money, I guess.  But sometimes people in cars even go around to avoid the wait.

People don't realize that a train going about 60 mph takes ONE MILE to stop.  It's a deadly thing to not pay attention.  Seems like she must have been really looking down and totally focused to just walk in front of a train! 

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A train going 60 miles an hour would probably take less than 4 seconds to go 100 feet, so you aren't going to win if you try to cross when it is bearing down on a crossing. I guess being aware of my surroundings was ingrained in me as a child and I still feel it is of utmost importance. rushlan

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