That's really awful.
How hard is it to get a car with bullet proof windows?
How hard is it to get a car with bullet proof windows?
And, considering other replies, yes thinking about how to protect oneself from such random events is worthwhile and a normal (if not universal) response to tragedy.
The last place I was that someone I knew had bullet proof glass in their car was Colombia. Are the American's here happy with this comparison on public safety?
A man was just murdered in his car while driving down a public road. This is not a concern any of us should have to deal with, but devastatingly, it is a statistical anomaly that has impacted his family's life. Should we get in to the statistical probabilities as well? Should we dig in to the physics involved?
How about we honor his death by simply acknowledging that of all the crazy aspects of this event, the most important is the loss that everyone involved is suffering and leave it at that.
Why not? The article did. Your emotional response is completely valid, but don't demand that everyone feel the same way that you do. Worrying about one's own safety is also a completely normal and human response to hearing this kind of news.
How about we honor his death by simply acknowledging that of all the crazy aspects of this event, the most important is the loss that everyone involved is suffering and leave it at that.
I don't think "simply acknowledging" anything is a very helpful response, but if you feel that way, go ahead.
It's fine to wonder about your own security, but have some sense of context. Go do some research and find out what the real best way to protect yourself from events like this is. Go write an article about it and post it to HN. Those are all constructive things to do, but have some respect for the loss here and compartmentalize the discussion a bit.
Distance makes a difference. I don't feel any immediacy to this event or these people.
compartmentalize the discussion a bit.
I definitely agree. Tycho started another thread of conversation instead of responding to anyone here who knew Justin Ferrari. That's about as compartmentalized as we can get on this site.
As a whole, when we hurt our self, should we just be sad and move on and do it again and again, or should we learn and take measures not to make the same mistake?
Random and stupid and pointless deaths like this should be cause for conversation.
R.I.P. man.
You could have left it at that.
Simply tragic.
Securing an automobile against bullets involves some very specific domain knowledge that you're not likely to gain during a weekend project. Specifically, retrofitting your car with bulletproof windows isn't a very good option, because bullets (even a lowly 9mm) can penetrate the thin steel of a car door at close range. Glass capable of stopping the same round will not fit in the channels that support a standard car window, and will be far too heavy for the existing power window mechanism.
Cars that offer protection from bullets are purpose-built, have much more than just bulletproof glass, and weigh a lot more (because of armor plating) than your average automobile, which is going to equate to horrible gas mileage. It's simply not a viable option for most people.