Oliver Hansen

From the Jamaica Gleaner online:

LETTER OF THE DAY - Nuh Linga … sort it out
published: Thursday | August 28, 2008

The Editor, Sir:

I am writing this article in response to your editorial of August 26.

Following the euphoria of the greatness that the athletes achieved in Beijing, shaking the world and bringing back nationalism, pride and the true Jamaican spirit, many expressed concerns and wishes for peace for the entire country. Why can it not be like this always? Why not put an end to crime?

Of course, people will talk about the kind of crime that takes the lives of others by guns, knives or any other way that makes the heart stop beating and causes them to die. I think that this is the right and perfect moment to deeply reflect on this.

Crime has been defined as “a violation of the law; an offence against morality or public welfare; wrongdoing”. This kind of crime, which takes people’s lives, is just the tip of the iceberg. We can see it. We can feel it making our lives miserable. But what about other crimes?

Child abuse

As we have defined crime from the dictionary, what about the ones that we commit on a daily basis? We beat our children, abuse them sexually, do not allow them to have a proper education, no health care, no “I love you”, no “You can do it”. Is that not a crime?

Accepting bribes, offering bribes and dealing in corruption - are these not crimes?

The way our teachers are treated by students, parents and others - is that not a crime?

We disrespect our wives and husbands, treating them like a ‘nobody’ in front of our children and not providing psychological support when they need it. Is that not a crime?

The remuneration we pay our employees and the negligence we have with our job descriptions, is that not a crime?

Irresponsible or dishonest management of the money of the rich and poor, leaving them without their savings, is this too, not a crime?

Self-interest laws

Throwing garbage through the car windows, not stopping at traffic lights, breaking the rules and not respecting the rights of others, only doing things for your personal benefit and not for the benefit of others, is this not a crime? Creating and approving laws for self-interest, is this not a crime?

Disrespect for human rights, is that not a crime?

To win a marathon, it is necessary to take the first step. However, the last step that leads to victory is the step that everybody sees and says is “the step”. Likewise, the crime that kills people is the tip of the iceberg and everybody sees it and says “the crime”; but the iceberg, like the marathon, is built with every small step - every small one.

There is great pressure on the athletes to become the role models and ambassadors of the country - with which I would agree, but what about you and me? When we go to take on the responsibility to be a good role model, we say that we are going to be a good father, mother, neighbour, worker, manager, boss, politician, coach, player, teacher, student, driver, lawyer, etc. We are always trying to make my neighbour clean his yard, but I don’t clean mine. Let us all take responsibility to melt this iceberg by being a good example.

I know we cannot change the past, but if we all decide, we can make the future different.

I am, etc.,

RENÉ SIMOES

Kingston

I was listening to Fresh Air on NPR yesterday evening and heard Michael Gazzaniga refer to The Trolley Problem. For some reason this kind of experiment really interested me so I wanted to share.

Basically, it’s a test to see how people respond to ethical issues.

A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are 5 people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you can flip a switch which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety. Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track. Should you flip the switch?

Well, this is an interesting question. Do you let one die to save five? Ponder that for a few minutes… and then move on to the second part.

As before, a trolley is hurtling down a track towards five people. You are on a bridge under which it will pass, and you can stop it by dropping a heavy weight in front of it. As it happens, there is a very fat man next to you - your only way to stop the trolley is to push him over the bridge and onto the track, killing him to save five. Should you proceed?

Well? If you decided it was ok for one to die to save five then what do you think about this one where you actually have to push the fat man? Is it different? What do you think?

Had to post this video. It’s amazing and at the same time terrifying. Can you imagine seeing that thing coming after you? You kick it, toss rocks at it and it just keeps coming. The balance and the fact it can jump is impressive.

Another fantastic project brought to you by DARPA!

I just came across this on Slashdot. It’s an excellent demo showing just how easy it is to initiate a MITM attack for websites which don’t use SSL for login. You won’t be able to follow every step because it’s a short video but if you know what you are doing it should be relatively easy. The program used is Cain.

http://www.ethicalhacker.net/content/view/182/1/

A pretty crazy video I saw linked from Slashdot this morning.

Sure looks like fun! A big belly would probably get in the way of the aerodynamics though.