me myself and four cats
[Alt text: A gold necklace with a giant gold praying mantis]
Hi from a couch in Westchester County, where I am babysitting four cats whose people are on a much-needed vacation for the next week. Nothing to write about, really, just some of your responses from last week and a few links.
Responses
Last week I asked what you would have done in that situation where the very upset teenage girl said her father tried to kill her. The responses were all over the place:
"Are her parents high up in government? Secret service doesn’t just show up. I’m bitter as fuck and inclined to believe something awful is going on. Can you place a listening device near the door? Google?"
"I'm always about a good podcast. Listen to the Kitty Genovese episode (from June 2019) on You're Wrong About. Spoiler: we are all wrong about Kitty Genovese's murder and bystander apathy. That said, good on you for trying to help the girl. I think she's in your building? I would look to make contact with her when not in a crisis (not stalkery, but if you see her in the lobby or whatever)."
"Calling 911 is the correct course of action. You can do so from the safety of your apartment. You are absolutely NOT required to go investigate if the situation warrants it. You are not responsible for whatever action the police take. Still grappling with guilt? Imagine all the reasons a woman might be screaming in terror and whether you are capable of providing aid in each one or would become another victim aka will your well-intentioned presence make the situation better or worse? Do you have training to assist with de-escalation? Grief/Suicide/Abuse Counseling skills? Are you physically intimidating enough to deter an attacker? Are you capable of inflicting bodily harm to stop an attack? Do you know how to disarm an attacker? Do you have the skills to protect yourself if the screamer is under the influence and comes at you? I spent 7 years as a university police officer, had a lot of those trainings & skills, but have NOT practiced them recently and unless events were unfolding right in front of me, would just call the police from a place of safety."
Links
A monthly injection can treat addiction. (Kaiser Health News)
The most populated American cities with the best park scores. (Digg)
You probably don't need to work in IT to take the IT burnout index survey. (Yerbo)
Looking forward to seeing this Afro-Atlantic Histories exhibit. (National Gallery)
Goth flying peacock. (YouTube)
Seattle drivers "coming in hot." (Boing Boing)
Cicada alert! This woman only goes out once every 17 years. (Reductress)
Men cannot handle even the tiniest bit of pain, and I cannot stop laughing. (TIkTok)