Does anyone help anyone anymore?

[q0192837465]

Originally Posted by Tapioca

Such as? I would argue that as a man, he has no choice but to stand up for what's right.

You also neatly presume that the victim does not have life insurance. Most people, even working for large companies which pay wages of $12/hour, provide their employees with some form of life insurance.

I do respect your firm stance on standing up for what is right. The world will definitely be a better place if more people do what you preach.

As for the life insurance, do you really think it's going to make things right for the family? Kids losing their father, wife losing her husband? At the end of the day, it's a matter of whether it is worth it or not. From my experience with this world, more often than not, people will think it's not worth it.

Yeah, it is an extreme case and rarely does this happen.

Most petty criminals are not stupid. If you think about it, they choose to "negotiate" (i.e. threatening someone with a knife or gun) because they do not want to resort to the messier alternative which is to shoot or stab someone (which is far easier to do to get what they want.) If someone stands up to them and says something, or acts in a way that makes it less easy for them to get what they want (i.e. pushing the silent alarm, calling the police, etc.), they will move on and find an easier target.

In your scenario, if I were to succeed, I wouldn't expect more than a thanks. It's not about me; it's about my role in upholding society's morals.

Btw, if I were to "accidentally" stab him, it would be a criminal offence, not a civil one. The last time I checked, you are allowed to use a "reasonable" amount of force to defend yourself from attacks. I would be able to defend myself (with a good lawyer) in court, and in all likelihood, I would be acquitted considering the circumstances, likely media attention, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you should only help because of a reward. That's just low. What I'm trying to say is that there's always a risk of failing at what you intend to do. If you succeed, great. But if there is a chance of failure, wouldnt it be wise to be prepared for it just in case? Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. All I'm trying to say is, is it worth it? If your answer is yes, all power to you, we should have more people like you. But again, from my experience with this world, the answer is, more often than not, no.

I'm not justify anything, just trying to bring out the other side of the story.

[ecchiecchi]

^ But like what was said so many times- You don't have to be a hero. You don't have to drop kick the thugs and try to beat them up. You don't have to wrestle them to the ground. You don't have to be hero of the year. Just do something, anything.

In the 2 situations discussed in this thread, is there one where the only way to help them is to pull a bravado and beat them up? I don't think so.

With the case of the old man, what could have been done?
- Press the silent alarm
- Get off the train and tell the security who the thugs are (point at them)

In the case of the stabbed bum
- Call 911/ambulance
- Try to stop the bleeding

It's common sense that you don't wrestle with these guys- who would? But there's always something you can do. Violence isn't the only way to deter these people.

And honestly, If I got fired over saving/trying to help someone, good fucking riddance- I'd gladly look for another job.

If I know I could have done something, and I didn't- I'll die a little inside.

[welfare]

look; i'm not going to quote all the fails of this thread. this is life. i think many of us have lost sight as to what that is. once upon a time it meant honor over death. what is the use of prolonging a life of cowardess? i mean, don't people get it? it's not about a hero mentality; it's about not being afraid to do what you know is right.
and yes, i am crossing the line of opinion. as this subject calls for it