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| 1 2 3 | UER Forum > UE Main > Are you situationally aware in day-to-day life? (Viewed 5713 times) |
Abby Normal
Location: Las Vegas Gender: Female Total Likes: 845 likes
| | | | Are you situationally aware in day-to-day life? < on 3/17/2019 6:22 AM > | Reply with Quote
| | | One of the things I try to keep in mind when I'm out and about, is to stay situationally aware. In this day of portable electronics, it seems like way too many people have their complete attention focused on their cell phones as they go about their business. We've all seen people step off the curb and walk across the street without ever looking up to see if traffic is going to stop for them. Guess there's a magic force field that protects them while in a crosswalk. So today I was with a friend who needed to pick up a couple of items at a grocery store in a small strip mall. I dropped her off at the front door and found a parking spot where I had a view of the front doors so I could pick her back up when she came back out. I had some time to burn so I pulled out my cell phone (of course). Now even though I'm messing with my phone, I'm trying to keep an eye on what's going on around me. A quick glance in the mirrors, a quick visual sweep in front of me, and then a bit of attention on my phone. It wasn't long before I noticed a man stopping in front of the grocery store and looking in the trash can. Not unexpected given the homeless in the area. But something wasn't right. His movements were erratic and overly animated. When he was done with the trash can he turned toward the parking lot and appeared to be having an argument with someone, but there wasn't anyone on the other side of the argument. No cell phone either so he wasn't having an an argument over the phone. Most of the customers leaving the store and those walking towards the store didn't seem to notice him. A few did notice, then ignored him as they passed by. He almost reminded me of the space alien from Men In Black that wore the "Edgar Suit". More arguing with no one. More flinging of arms. As we were leaving he was standing in a planter flashing the "loser" sign with his hand to his forehead at everyone driving by. For the last 15 years of my career, my office was located in a downtown redevelopment area with a huge homeless population all around us. I've seen this behavior pretty regularly through the years so it really didn't come as a surprise to me. Yet while I was at the shopping center, I kept an eye on him in case he started to get involved with an innocent bystander. I wouldn't have physically intervened, but I would have immediately called the police. I'm not sure anyone else was keeping an eye on him. Obviously this guy needed mental help and was probably harmless, but what if he wasn't? How long would it take for someone to notice if he attacked a shopper as they were loading their groceries into their car? So where I'm going with this is; Do you try to keep situational awareness when you are out living your "normal" life? Sure, we all do when we are out exploring an abandonment. Or even when we are just in a bad neighborhood. But what about the rest of the time? Do you look for the unusual or out-of-place? Abby Normal
| "Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan |
| blackhawk This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: Mission Control Total Likes: 3996 likes
UER newbie
| | | | Re: Are you situationally aware in day-to-day life? < Reply # 7 on 3/18/2019 4:05 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | Posted by Decayed Insanity There was a lady in a 4runner behind me today tailgating my Suburban and swerving all over the road while on her phone. People need to learn to just put down the technology for once when your occupied while walking or driving. It's crazy how society has become where everyone seems to be glued to their phone every. Single. Second. I just don't get it.
| One second is an eternity. My measured, repeatable eye/hand reaction time is as low as 62 ms, average 68, while 80 ms is normal for many people. If your distracted by anything you're reaction time becomes that of a drunk 120-500+ ms. You can't text and drive or even safely walk. Hands free is risky as well; it distracts you from your primary task. I find conversation with passengers also distracting while driving; time has proven this to me. Keep your priorities in order, always. Results are final. Posted by Abby Normal Electronics are a big part of the problem, especially vehicle drivers looking at their devices. But there also seems to be an overall lack of concern about what's going on in the environment around people. A tiny bit of paranoia probably isn't a bad thing. Oh well, their lives to do as they wish. Abby Normal
| I watch people and look for suspicious patterns of movement. Always guarded about being followed on foot or in a vehicle. Even then, some have slipped though. Dealt with a few would be muggers over the decades, the first time was a freebie over 40 years ago. Was walking down a street in front of a Catholic church when two males crossed the street and headed straight for me. Should have just broke into a jog but I choked and failed. An older priest appeared on the steps of the church and said to the men "Shouldn't you boys be getting home?". That stopped them dead in their tracks. Many times it doesn't take much but it takes something. I'm indebted to that priest for saving my assets and teaching me several lessons with just a few well placed words. He was sublime. Trouble can come at anytime, anywhere. If you're head is up your ass screwing around and distracted, you loose any edge you had. You need to form a plan in a fluid fashion. The longer it takes you to recognize the danger, the less time you have and the worse your odds are.
[last edit 3/18/2019 4:25 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
| Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in. |
| Cfourexplore
Location: North Carolina Gender: Male Total Likes: 583 likes
Never a dull moment in Midworld.
| | | Re: Are you situationally aware in day-to-day life? < Reply # 18 on 3/21/2019 11:05 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | I think I do well for the most part at being situationally aware; though my overanalytical nature can sometimes cause me to over think (or sometimes under think 😛) in the day to day. When driving I ignore my phone, and keep my radio at mid volume. I'm constantly checking my mirrors, and try to keep aware of what other drivers are doing, or will do. Once while driving to an explore, an 18 wheeler up ahead blew out a tire...fortunately I was far enough back (but not too far to hear the blast) that I was well out of the way of him, and was able to safely navigate around the tire shrapnel. On another trip I wasn't so lucky; I was closer to the guy ahead of me than I should've been, and when he swerved a bit, I had left myself no time to react, and hit a large chunk of rock in the road...not panicking, I was able to pull over and change the tire. I not only learned my lesson, but was able to get a used rim and salvage a day of great exploring. I can't imagine what would've happened if I'd been playing on my phone or something... One day while going to work, I sat at a red light, ready to make a left turn. I hear sirens, and see a fire truck coming towards me from behind...he has nowhere to go. I quickly scanned the traffic around me; nobody's moving, intersection clear; so I lay on the horn and make the turn, pulling into a short merge lane and stopping, so the truck can have the whole road (2 lanes, and that stub of the 3rd I was in) and be able to pass safely. Exploring, and the experiences of others on this site, has massively improved my awareness (though I'm still decent at pulling off some dopey moves). In general, I think I've always been realistic and analytical, I try to read the situation, have a contingency (or three), and ALWAYS listen to my gut. Technology is wonderful and convenient...until it's not. I love my digital camera, my satellite locator on the phone, my GPS; but I don't rely on them. I hope they will do what I need them to do; even rather expect it, but at the end of the day, having the knowledge, wisdom, and instincts to get by (or GTFO) is what's gonna save me, should all else fail. At least, it's worked so far... I like that Einstein quote Radio2600 posted; another one credited to him is, "There are two things that are infinite...the universe, and human stupidity, but I'm not so sure about the former." Like Blackhawk tends to say, people are trouble... The devices made by them only enhance the troubles. It's frightening how complacent and illogical people have become, but even scarier is the way being self aware/reliant, logical, and wise have become negative qualities. Well, that's my .02¢, *steps off soapbox.
| "When you've truly done something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." |
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