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Comment by bitJericho | Hacker News Reader

Is that a fact? I don't think that's a fact.

They're probably referring to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kitty_Genovese#Psycho.... It's not a fact that no one helps, but it is a fact that there are psychological issues at play that mean people are less likely to help in those situations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kitty_Genovese#Public...

You should read the 5th paragraph down.

And you should read all the peer-reviewed papers in published psychology journals below that document other examples of this and the factors that affect it?

I'm not saying such an effect doesn't exist. I'm saying the statement "The fact is people dont react when someone need help in the street/metro. " is patently false. There are many many more anecdotes where people do help. In fact, I havent read one anecdote where this device would have changed anything. It seems to me that most of the deadly delay is caused by shock and fear more than anything else.

Feel free to provide me a study where they actually conducted scientifically rigorous tests in public and not just a few guys in a test room. I'd like to see the actual percentage of failures to assist and I'd like to see evidence where this device helps at all. For all we know it could hinder matters, though I would suspect not.

Then perhaps you need only read my comment. I typed the exact words "It's not a fact that no one helps". I have no interest in providing scientifically rigorous studies for you, I was only helping you see where the GP was probably coming from.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

Diffusion of responsibility is certainly a recognized phenomena:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_responsibility

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_responsibility#Rea...

The only example of a person on the street not being helped is actually completely fabricated by the inept police of the time.

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