I live in the greater Dallas area and was on my way to work this morning. I was about 5 minutes away from my building when I saw a woman standing outside her car at an intersection (3 lane each direction). Traffic was moving a bit slow, I was about 4^th in line and couldn’t really see what was going on, but it looked like she was asking for help. So I opened up my car door, and sure enough, she was jumping up and down because she had just been in a really bad accident and the person she had hit wasn’t doing so well.

She was driving a truck and was totally fine. She wound up hitting a pretty young guy in a convertible. By the time I got over there, I could see the kid had blood all over his face and looked like he was convulsing. I of course immediately called 911. I literally thought the kid was in grave danger as it was a driver’s side door impact and the he looked like he was having seizures. Both me and the lady who hit him kept talking to him telling him to stay with us etc.. etc.. Eventually two or three more people got out and helped out.

About 10/15 minutes later the ambulance showed up. The kid finally starting coming to a little bit, it turned out he was probably "just" knocked unconscious, but there certainly was no reason for me to stick around at that point to find out as the experts were there and I was just taking up space at that point.

What I don’t get is, how can you be the first/second/third/fourth car at an intersection and not get out and try to help? I mean, I’m the 1st person there calling 911 and I didn’t even see the f*ing thing happen. I would wager good money that at least two light cycles had gone through by the time I got up there too. And yet, I'm the first person to get out and help. Staggering.

There’s a lady jumping up and down asking for help, it’s the middle of the morning and all these people are just driving by. I simply can not believe how insensitive and selfish the people of this world are sometimes. Are you telling me if that was you, you wouldn’t want anyone to try to get out and help? And yes I understand you shouldn't be administering medical care if you are untrained, but AT LEAST get out - call 911 - make sure his life isn't in jeopardy because the car is on fire. For f*ck sake do SOMETHING other than sit there, look at it and drive away.

Truly amazing….

most of us are selfish and are wrapped up in our own little worlds.

plus most of us are afraid to get involved, because we're afraid something bad will happen if we do, like getting sued.

BlackAdder7 said:

most of us are selfish and are wrapped up in our own little worlds.

plus most of us are afraid to get involved, because we're afraid something bad will happen if we do, like getting sued.

No I totally understand the fear of getting sued part. Which is why I said you shouldn't go rushing in there adminstering CPR or anything like that.

But it wasn't like this happened on the freeway with cars buzzing by at 70 miles an hour. Then, I would totally understand the hesitancy to pull over and get out as the danger to yourself factor would be ratcheted up immensely.

But at an intersection with traffic lights where few people can get by anyway because the cars are IN part of the intersection, it just blows me away that anyone could look at that and not do something. Especially if you just watched it happen.

It's like people are becoming robots programmed to only care about themselves.

A lot of people are fuckers. Truly. You did the right thing.

Cow said it, and it is true.....humans suck!

I bet the people in the cars were rubbernecking and staring though

johnart said:

A lot of people are fuckers. Truly. You did the right thing.

Thanks John

It's really got me buzzing this morning. It makes me think about the impact things like the internet and reality TV have on our pysche. Like we are all so programmed now that we don't know how to think/act/feel on our own. It's like Brave New World and 1984 coming to life right before our eyes.

"Well I'm busy commuting to work - this isn't part of my routine".

I know I'm rambling....

BklynBabe said:

Cow said it, and it is true.....humans suck!

I bet the people in the cars were rubbernecking and staring though

To be honest in the spur of the moment I wasn't focused on them, it only hit me after I had got back in my car 15 minutes later that I was the first one to do anything when dozens and dozens of peoples had driven by staring.

Grrrr....

Fenwick said:

BlackAdder7 said:

most of us are selfish and are wrapped up in our own little worlds.

plus most of us are afraid to get involved, because we're afraid something bad will happen if we do, like getting sued.

No I totally understand the fear of getting sued part. Which is why I said you shouldn't go rushing in there adminstering CPR or anything like that.

This is a good example why the American lawsuit culture is totally out of control. I don't know any other country on the planet where people would be worried about helping out because they might get sued!

Another bizarre little slice of American culture: When I was in a small town in Wyoming they had a cowboy show one night on the town square and families had gathered around to watch. Before the show started, one of the performers addressed the kids about gun issues. His first question was "What do we do if we find a gun?" and all the kids responded "Leave it where it is!". He then asked "And why should we leave it?" and all the kids in unison responded "Fingerprints!". Not "It's dangerous" but "fingerprints"... I was so shocked that I started laughing and then everybody stared at me as if I was a lunatic, lol.

Fenwick said:

"Well I'm busy commuting to work - this isn't part of my routine".

Ach, everyone would have had their own reasons for not stopping, however morally right or wrong to your perspective. On a bad day, I might have seen a guy in a flashy convertable bleeding over his silver upholstery and thought, fuck him. The bitter proletariat in me floats at the surface, always. On another day, I might have been first on the scene performing emergency surgery on the cunt. I was a boy who cried for two days when a spider I had in a jar died. That's him acting. Who is to say what the correct course of action is? Some omnipotent, multi dimentional super-conciousness who sees all past, presents and futures? I certainly don't put human nature on any greater pedestal than that of any other animal. I don't believe in selfless, non-reciprocal, altruistic acts. I don't think they exist. There's always the buzz of gratification, either from your own moral framework that of your tribe. It's still illusion - or worse, delusion -although this misconception of altruism certainly lubricates the mass cultural hypnosis and compression of our true reptilian natures which allows us to build societies.

That said, I've certainly done wreckless things in the past in the name of my own personal view of righteousness and may even do them again - but it really depends on how you catch me. I don't have any great urge to help my fellow man, really. It probably is a failing. Family and friends, the elderly, the very young, animals - without hesitation - but I find it hard to feel empathy for anyone of my peer group. If I was in the same situation, I wouldn't expect anyone to help me. I'd just be suspicious and find it macabrely funny. I'm not really worth the effort. Just let me and my poor driving ability die like the countless billions of other creatures that have went before me.

I also think blaming TV is a bit of a stretch, but western culture in general is certainly more desensitised than it was 50 years ago. I don't think there's any denying that. But to me, TV is a product of the symptoms rather than the disease itself.

Number23 said:

Fenwick said:

"Well I'm busy commuting to work - this isn't part of my routine".

Ach, everyone would have had their own reasons for not stopping, however morally right or wrong to your perspective. On a bad day, I might have seen a guy in a flashy convertable bleeding over his silver upholstery and thought, fuck him. The bitter proletariat in me floats at the surface, always. On another day, I might have been first on the scene performing emergency surgery on the cunt. I was a boy who cried for two days when a spider I had in a jar died. That's him acting. Who is to say what the correct course of action is? Some omnipotent, multi dimentional super-conciousness who sees all past, presents and futures? I certainly don't put human nature on any greater pedestal than that of any other animal. I don't believe in selfless, non-reciprocal, altruistic acts. I don't think they exist. There's always the buzz of gratification, either from your own moral framework that of your tribe. It's still illusion - or worse, delusion -although this misconception of altruism certainly lubricates the mass cultural hypnosis and compression of our true reptilian natures which allows us to build societies.

That said, I've certainly done wreckless things in the past in the name of my own personal view of righteousness and may even do them again - but it really depends on how you catch me. I don't have any great urge to help my fellow man, really. It probably is a failing. Family and friends, the elderly, the very young, animals - without hesitation - but I find it hard to feel empathy for anyone of my peer group. If I was in the same situation, I wouldn't expect anyone to help me. I'd just be suspicious and find it macabrely funny. I'm not really worth the effort. Just let me and my poor driving ability die like the countless billions of other creatures that have went before me.

I also think blaming TV is a bit of a stretch, but western culture in general is certainly more desensitised than it was 50 years ago. I don't think there's any denying that. But to me, TV is a product of the symptoms rather than the disease itself.

So much of your response is fabulous. (And I mean that in a good way not a sarcastic one). I thought twice before posting the TV part because it really is opening another can of worms and taking the conversation in a different direction. But it is also directly related in my estimation.

As it stands, I do see how things that are utterly mindless, yet dominate so many people's lives have a profound influence on many around us. And whenever fans of these shows are challenged about their fascination with them, the inevitable response is, "oh it gives me a chance to unwind and watch something mindless. You know - to decompress".

Oh is that all? Then why are millions fascinated with it? Why are mindless shows like these getting renewed year upon year upon year?

"western culture in general is certainly more desensitised than it was 50 years ago"

I 100 million percent agree with you. And I honestly believe the internet and reality tv (tv in general to some extent) are mammoth players in this disintegration.

I'm sure I am reading way too much into a traffic accident, but I just don't understand human behavior sometimes.

retina said:

Fenwick said:

No I totally understand the fear of getting sued part. Which is why I said you shouldn't go rushing in there adminstering CPR or anything like that.

This is a good example why the American lawsuit culture is totally out of control. I don't know any other country on the planet where people would be worried about helping out because they might get sued!

Another bizarre little slice of American culture: When I was in a small town in Wyoming they had a cowboy show one night on the town square and families had gathered around to watch. Before the show started, one of the performers addressed the kids about gun issues. His first question was "What do we do if we find a gun?" and all the kids responded "Leave it where it is!". He then asked "And why should we leave it?" and all the kids in unison responded "Fingerprints!". Not "It's dangerous" but "fingerprints"... I was so shocked that I started laughing and then everybody stared at me as if I was a lunatic, lol.

fingerprints = greatness.

I certainly hope the rest of the world hasn't endeavoured to catch up to our litigious ways, but I fear whenever there is $$ involved, "enterprising" folks all over the world will find a way...

I probably have half this story wrong but here goes:

The lawsuit culture here is totally out of control. There was a story here in the US within the last year when someone tried to pull another person out of car for fear it was going to explode. The victim wound up with some form of paralysis and actually filed a suit against the person trying to save them, claiming they were the ones that caused the injury.

Thanks for trying to save my life - now I'm gonna sue your ass......

Here's why. We live in a Jackass society. What does that mean? It doesn't mean people are jackasses (although they are), it means that (I believe) that people think if they get out of the car and go to help, they'll sudden find themselves on a joke TV show, or something like Jackass or Viva La Bam. No one takes anything seriously anymore. Sounds weird, but I've found this to be true. People don't want to look stupid, as the butt of a prank, so they'll just not do anything, even in a real situation.

Of course, people are also selfish, or "don't want to get involved", yet if it were their dumbasses on the side of the road yelling for help in a desperate situation, they'd think differently about it all.

The whole story really saddened me, just because of the near loss of life, or what could have been. But yeah, people need a backbone.

And for the record: Legalities or not, I'd give CPR if I had to. I think any jury or judge in the world would throw a case out if someone tried to sue me (or anyone) because the person happened to NOT be CPR certified (as in a current card holder). Hell, I've been CPR trained since high school, over 25 years ago! Who the hell is going to stand around and let someone DIE because of being afraid of being sued???? I'd do it. I'd rather them be alive and have a bruise chest from me trying to keep them alive, than have someone's death on my conscience and hands.

I'm glad you stopped and did whatever you could.

I think the word we are looking for here is selfishness.

People are selfish and unless something effects them

directly, they wont get involved or care for that matter.

I admit, I am like that in many ways.

Though I probably would of stopped and called too if I didnt see anyone

else helping. If I saw others helping or on cell phones, I probably would have kept driving.

[Edited 8/9/10 10:56am]

thepope2the9s said:

I think the word we are looking for here is selfishness.

People are selfish and unless something effects them

directly, they wont get involved or care for that matter.

I admit, I am like that in many ways.

Though I probably would of stopped and called too if I didnt see anyone

else helping. If I saw others helping or on cell phones, I probably would have kept driving.

[Edited 8/9/10 10:56am]

Btw, I'm liking your sig.

Number23 said:

Fenwick said:

"Well I'm busy commuting to work - this isn't part of my routine".

Ach, everyone would have had their own reasons for not stopping, however morally right or wrong to your perspective. On a bad day, I might have seen a guy in a flashy convertable bleeding over his silver upholstery and thought, fuck him. The bitter proletariat in me floats at the surface, always. On another day, I might have been first on the scene performing emergency surgery on the cunt. I was a boy who cried for two days when a spider I had in a jar died. That's him acting. Who is to say what the correct course of action is? Some omnipotent, multi dimentional super-conciousness who sees all past, presents and futures? I certainly don't put human nature on any greater pedestal than that of any other animal. I don't believe in selfless, non-reciprocal, altruistic acts. I don't think they exist. There's always the buzz of gratification, either from your own moral framework that of your tribe. It's still illusion - or worse, delusion -although this misconception of altruism certainly lubricates the mass cultural hypnosis and compression of our true reptilian natures which allows us to build societies.

That said, I've certainly done wreckless things in the past in the name of my own personal view of righteousness and may even do them again - but it really depends on how you catch me. I don't have any great urge to help my fellow man, really. It probably is a failing. Family and friends, the elderly, the very young, animals - without hesitation - but I find it hard to feel empathy for anyone of my peer group. If I was in the same situation, I wouldn't expect anyone to help me. I'd just be suspicious and find it macabrely funny. I'm not really worth the effort. Just let me and my poor driving ability die like the countless billions of other creatures that have went before me.

I also think blaming TV is a bit of a stretch, but western culture in general is certainly more desensitised than it was 50 years ago. I don't think there's any denying that. But to me, TV is a product of the symptoms rather than the disease itself.

'Tis true.

Morality is everchanging, and it will never be practiced universally...which can be troublesome at times (when you give it too much thought).

Like you, Fenwick, I would have felt disappointed at mankind at that moment, but then again I don't know why I would expect anything from them in the first place...because I really don't.

johnart said:

A lot of people are fuckers. Truly. You did the right thing.

Agreed, on both counts.

I am generally one of those fuckers. I've just been burned too many times when attempting to help others. However, in your situation, I definitely would have AT LEAST rolled down my window and asked if she needed medical assistance, police, whatever.

"And why should we leave it?" and all the kids in unison responded "Fingerprints!". Not "It's dangerous" but "fingerprints"... I was so shocked that I started laughing and then everybody stared at me as if I was a lunatic, lol.

Only in America

Cerebus said:

I am generally one of those fuckers. I've just been burned too many times when attempting to help others.

Same here. I really don't give a fuck about anyone outside of my circle of family and friends. Not a big lover of humanity.

Humans................

I have ended up getting fucked when I help people but I still do it.

uPtoWnNY said:

Cerebus said:

I am generally one of those fuckers. I've just been burned too many times when attempting to help others.

Same here. I really don't give a fuck about anyone outside of my circle of family and friends. Not a big lover of humanity.

Not only can u get burned......u can get killed.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Same here. I really don't give a fuck about anyone outside of my circle of family and friends. Not a big lover of humanity.

Not only can u get burned......u can get killed.

Exactly. I learned long ago, self-preservation is the way to go in this cold-ass world.

Fenwick said:

BlackAdder7 said:

most of us are selfish and are wrapped up in our own little worlds.

plus most of us are afraid to get involved, because we're afraid something bad will happen if we do, like getting sued.

No I totally understand the fear of getting sued part. Which is why I said you shouldn't go rushing in there adminstering CPR or anything like that.

But it wasn't like this happened on the freeway with cars buzzing by at 70 miles an hour. Then, I would totally understand the hesitancy to pull over and get out as the danger to yourself factor would be ratcheted up immensely.

But at an intersection with traffic lights where few people can get by anyway because the cars are IN part of the intersection, it just blows me away that anyone could look at that and not do something. Especially if you just watched it happen.

It's like people are becoming robots programmed to only care about themselves.

Ay, I know the whole "getting sued" part scares a lot of people.

When I got trained in First Aid, they said the first thing you say when you see someone in need, you introduced yourself and say you're certified and ask them if they want your help. If they say yes, then you go ahead. Only time you can administer First Aid without getting a response is if the person is unconscious and/or not breathing.

But really, it's getting ridiculous, this fear. One homeless man in Vancouver was found unconscious near the sky train station. Every one just kept stepping over him, thinking he was drunk and passed out. One person finally stopped and realised the man was not breathing....immediately went to call an ambulance. The man was in diabetic shock. And had he not been taken to the ER, he would've died that night. Seriously...people were stepping over him and just ignoring him for a good majority of this time.