[LINK] In Praise of Security Theater

[Jan Whitaker]

At 09:38 PM 29/05/2008, Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:
>Of course, too much security theater and our feeling of security becomes
>greater than the reality, which is also bad. And others -- politicians,
>corporations and so on -- can use security theater to make us feel more
>secure without doing the hard work of actually making us secure. That's
>the usual way security theater is used, and why I so often malign it.

This is so true.

The Victorian Student Number has as a justification to increase the 
likelihood that children will stay in school and not fall through the 
cracks. Huh?

Then there are the myths about how 'dangerous' it is to ride the 
train. I had this discussion with my writing partner this morning 
when a friend of hers was tossing up driving the 50+ kms to the city 
for work each way, five days a week, AND paying for parking, through 
peak hour for 1.5 hours each way OR get on a train, ride for 50 
minutes on the peak hour service. To me, it's a no brainer. But her 
concern is -- safety. I've been riding the trains and trams of 
Melbourne for 13 years, quite frequently, and can honestly say I've 
only personally seen 3 incidents: one a punch up at Richmond station, 
one a pit bull and owner who sat down near me (I moved seats), and a 
few boys bullying another boy (I took out my mobile and called it in).

These are examples of what I call decision making by anecdote. There 
is no rationality involved. The fear factor crap we are served on TV 
has a lot to answer for.

Jan



Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com
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Sauron's mother probably thought he was a good kid. - anon, from OWW

Writing Lesson #54:
Learn to love revision. Think of it as polishing the silver for 
guests. - JW, May, 2007
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