Just because they attend MIT doesn't mean they are smart

[Moonbear]

Talk about a stupid stunt!

BOSTON (Reuters) - A 19-year-old U.S. college student was arrested on Friday after she walked into Boston's Logan International Airport wearing what authorities initially thought was an explosive device, police said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2135396020070921

 

[oedipa maas]

It's hard to judge from the article what the student's intentions were...

Maybe she could get a summer research job with this guy:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE0D71239F937A25750C0A9649C8B63

 

[mgb_phys]

"Authorities said she would be charged with possession of a hoax device"
What's the definition of a hoax device? Logically it's anything that is not a bomb - so you can be arrested either for possesing a bomb or a NOT bomb!

Presumably it's a hoax device if the TSA muppets don't know what it is - that includes most of the contents of my lab.

 

[oedipa maas]

The Boston Globe is a bit more thorough than Reuters:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/09/mit_student_arr.html?p1=MEWell_Pos3

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE0D71239F937A25750C0A9649C8B63

Alejandro R. Jahad, director of the University of Toronto's Program in E-Health Innovation, who has worked closely with Dr. Mann, said that scientists now had an opportunity to see what happens when a cyborg is unplugged. ''I find this a very fascinating case,'' he said.

Lucky him.

It's a tough call on the MIT student. Her behavior would be quite innocent anywhere on the planet except in an airport. Your best bet nowadays is to do like the terrorists and try not to stand out. I admit that's not easy, but I don't think she gave it her best effort.

 

[Evo]

It's hard to judge from the article what the student's intentions were...

Maybe she could get a summer research job with this guy:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE0D71239F937A25750C0A9649C8B63

From the story

But for him, the experience raises the question of how a traveler will fare once wearable computing devices are such fixtures on the body that a person will not be able to part with them.

I personally hope that a time never comes where we have become so dependent on gadgets that we can't function without them.

 

[Cyrus]

Ahaahahha she's so dumb its funny.

Her name is 'star simpson' it sounds like a porno name.

 

[Astronuc]

From the story I personally hope that a time never comes where we have become so dependent on gadgets that we can't function without them.

I know quite a few people who have PDA's. So far I am not inclined to get one.

A cell phone is sufficient, and most of the time it is off, especially when traveling.

The young lady displayed an appalling lack of judgement. I can't see a visit to the airport had anything to do with career day. She should have left that stuff at home.

 

[Math Jeans]

I am personally not surprised that something like this happened. MIT has a huge suicide rate.

 

[Mk]

I am personally not surprised that something like this happened. MIT has a huge suicide rate.

Er! Reference!?

 

[kach22i]

Great title for a thread, sad story.

Her picture?
http://www.media.mit.edu/physics/pedagogy/fab/machine/users/
http://www.media.mit.edu/physics/pedagogy/fab/machine/users/faces/stars.jpg

 

[Moonbear]

The young lady displayed an appalling lack of judgement.

Yep, that's why I said it was stupid. Whether it was truly a "stunt" or simply lack of judgement in what she chose to wear to the airport, it takes someone especially oblivious to the world around them to not realize having a circuit board and playdoh attached to your clothing (I don't recall if that was in the article I linked, but it was in other versions...some versions of the story conflicted a bit on the details of the device) will raise negative attention at an airport. The people working security don't have the time or education to sit there and figure out if it's a working circuit or explosive when they see something like that.

 

[Astronuc]

I just wish the authoritarian types would lighten up with regard to deadly force. I'm sure the comment was made to dissuade others from pulling similar stunts, but I also sure that there are those folks with guns who will over-react rather than observe and respond appropriately.

 

[Integral]

The trouble I have with this incident is that she had LEFT the airport. She was not attempting to board a plane or even enter the gate ways. Had she been attempting to board a plane the security thugs may have had an excuse for their actions.. But OUTSIDE the airport, for someone that was LEAVING.

I have know many geeks who thought it was cool to use such things as jewelry, not sure what big deal is.

Just one more bit of evidence that anyone that wishes to be a policeman or security type should be immediately disqualified.

 

[Mk]

Great title for a thread, sad story.

Her picture?
http://www.media.mit.edu/physics/pedagogy/fab/machine/users/
http://www.media.mit.edu/physics/pedagogy/fab/machine/users/faces/stars.jpg

Oh c'mon, she's too hot to be a terrorist.

 

[berkeman]

This last Monday, I was part of a city-wide Emergency Operation Center (EOC) activation in my city for a big drill. I was part of the communications section (under Operations), helping run the HAM radio communication gear. The drill was a simulated response to a terrorist incident where an industrial complex in our city was bombed, causing a fire and bad hazmat incident.

It was a very good drill, but there was a bit of a startling moment near the beginning of the drill. My HAM assistant and I each had a spare handheld radio antenna carrier tube in our CERT/HAM backpacks, which were against the wall behind our HAM station. The carriers are home-made out of grey plastic tubing, with screw-on caps on the ends. The tubes are about 15" (38cm) long.

The Fire Chief was making his first pass through the EOC to see how things were running, and he stopped cold when he came by our station. He asked in a very stern voice whose backpacks those were, and he only relaxed when my assistant and I replied that they were ours. The Chief knows both of us very well, and trusts us. It turned out that the antenna carriers look just like pipe bombs (never occurred to me!), and that is something that Fire and Police train on a lot -- recognizing disguised bombs.

Oopsies. Sorry about that Chief!

 

[Integral]

Oh c'mon, she's too hot to be a terrorist.

Yeah, some studge just wanted a chance to frisk her.

 

[Moonbear]

The trouble I have with this incident is that she had LEFT the airport. She was not attempting to board a plane or even enter the gate ways.

So, you don't think a terrorist might set off a curbside bomb to take out a bunch of people entering or exiting the airport? Clearly airports have considered this, which is why they limit vehicles allowed to stand curbside, and any unattended luggage will be confiscated, etc. Really, how is security supposed to know the difference? What if she really was a terrorist and they didn't believe it was real, and it was their butt on the line for it blowing up? Yeah, it sucks that there are terrorists in the world that spoil the fun for everyone who wants to make a fashion statement of wearing a circuit board, but that's the real world we live in, and it was stupid of her to show up to an airport wearing anything that looks so obviously suspicious.

And, yes, there are the points made about it being a limitation to clothing with wearable circuitboard things, but I guess that's a bridge that will be crossed when such things are popular enough to make airport security adjust policy to accommodate...or maybe it'll be like the limitation on bringing liquids through security...just don't do it or you won't get through...check your circuit boards in your luggage, and for heaven's sake, don't attach them to blobs of playdoh.

 

[George Jones]

I just wish the authoritarian types would lighten up with regard to deadly force. I'm sure the comment was made to dissuade others from pulling similar stunts, but I also sure that there are those folks with guns who will over-react rather than observe and respond appropriately.

... and who will then lie about the person's actual behaviour. Just ask the family of Jean Charles de Menezes.

 

[russ_watters]

The trouble I have with this incident is that she had LEFT the airport. She was not attempting to board a plane or even enter the gate ways. Had she been attempting to board a plane the security thugs may have had an excuse for their actions.. But OUTSIDE the airport, for someone that was LEAVING.

Do you have a source that says she was leaving? The USA Today article does not imply that:

A Massachusetts Port Authority staffer manning an information booth in the terminal became suspicious when Simpson — wearing the device — approached to ask about an incoming flight, Pare said. Simpson then walked outside, and the staffer notified a nearby trooper.

There was an incident at LAX about a year ago where a deranged man pulled a gun at a ticket counter. These places are crowded and whether or not she was intending to board an airplane, they are a great place to set off a bomb.

IMO, everyone involved (that we know of) - except for her - acted appropriately here. That inlcudes:

I just wish the authoritarian types would lighten up with regard to deadly force. I'm sure the comment was made to dissuade others from pulling similar stunts, but I also sure that there are those folks with guns who will over-react rather than observe and respond appropriately.

No, I'm sure that comment was made because that's what the rules of engagement require. He was stating a fact.

That girl displayed a spectacular lack of judgement and faced with a person like that, it is impossible for the authorities who are trying to detain her to tell if she is crazy or just stupid. They must treat people like that in a worst-case way and be prepared to use deadly force if they resist. As dumb as this girl clearly is, I could see her getting disoriented by the situation and unintentionally resisting. She very easily could have been killed and the police would have been perfectly justified in killing her had she so much as touched the circuit board she was wearing.

[edit: I don't see the actual quote here anywhere. Here it is]

"She was immediately told to stop, to raise her hands and not to make any movement, so we could observe all her movements to see if she was trying to trip any type of device," Pare said. "Had she not followed the protocol, we might have used deadly force."

I don't know if you guys remember it, but there was an incident in the '80s where a cop shot a kid with a laser-tag rifle. It was night, the cop saw a gun and drew his and when he saw a flash, he fired. IIRC, he was not disciplined.

 

[Integral]

Russ,
Perhaps you should read the article in the first post.

 

[russ_watters]

I did. All it says is she walked outside and was arrested there.

After speaking with a service agent, she walked out of the airport. Within two minutes Simpson was approached by police with sub-machine guns, police said.

It doesn't say she was leaving - in fact, it says she was hanging around. So what's your point? Don't hold back - If I'm missing something, tell me!

 

[Integral]

Walking outside is not leaving?
What is your point?

She was not heading into the terminal, that IS the point.

But then, foolish me, I do not think deadly force should be used by security forces unless someone is actively shooting.

 

[DaveC426913]

"Authorities said she would be charged with possession of a hoax device"
What's the definition of a hoax device? Logically it's anything that is not a bomb - so you can be arrested either for possesing a bomb or a NOT bomb!

It's not about the device it's about the intent.

 

[Cyrus]

I read that she talked to a man at the counter. The man asked her what's on your shirt. She went silent and walked away.

Yes, deadly force if necessary. That is HIGHLY suspect. I think they had every right to shoot her dead if she reacted the wrong way.

 

[DaveC426913]

The trouble I have with this incident is that she had LEFT the airport. She was not attempting to board a plane or even enter the gate ways. Had she been attempting to board a plane the security thugs may have had an excuse for their actions.. But OUTSIDE the airport, for someone that was LEAVING.

Why does this make any difference?

Do you think that security forces are in the habit of saying "Ah, it was prob'ly nothing anyway. Besides, see? She's going away."

 

[DaveC426913]

Yes, deadly force if necessary. That is HIGHLY suspect. I think they had every right to shoot her dead if she reacted the wrong way.

Not sure if you're serious or sarcastic, but we don't shoot people dead for inappropriate reactions. Even in airports.

Wait, you were being sarcastic.

 

[DaveC426913]

They must treat people like that in a worst-case way and be prepared to use deadly force if they resist. As dumb as this girl clearly is, I could see her getting disoriented by the situation and unintentionally resisting. She very easily could have been killed and the police would have been perfectly justified in killing her had she so much as touched the circuit board she was wearing.
...
I don't know if you guys remember it, but there was an incident in the '80s where a cop shot a kid with a laser-tag rifle. It was night, the cop saw a gun and drew his and when he saw a flash, he fired. IIRC, he was not disciplined.

A gun is a gun. If you hear hoof steps, think horse, not coconuts*.

But a circuit board, while certainly the security should have reacted with extreme prejudice, I just don't think counts as a weapon per se. Much as it hints, it just doesn't say "clear and imminent danger".


* (C) DC07

 

[russ_watters]

Walking outside is not leaving?
What is your point?

Clearly, she was waiting, not leaving. She even told the person at the ticket counter what plane she was waiting for.

She was not heading into the terminal, that IS the point.

It is my understanding that the security personnel at the airport are responsible for the security of everyone at the airport, not just the people at the gates.

But then, foolish me, I do not think deadly force should be used by security forces unless someone is actively shooting.

Yes, you are. She didn't have a gun, she had [what looked like] a bomb. If the bomb has already gone off, it is too late, isn't it?

And just to be clear: even in the case of a gun, the suspect does not have to fire it before they are eligible to be shot. In the case of a gun, it still may be too late if you wait until the suspect has fired it. It is situation dependent, but if the cop is close to the suspect and the suspect so much as raises the gun, the cop is forced to fire.

 

[Cyrus]

Not sure if you're serious or sarcastic, but we don't shoot people dead for inappropriate reactions. Even in airports.

Wait, you were being sarcastic.

To be clear: is necessary...if she reacted badly when the police arrived. Not as in shoot her first and ask questions later.

Not being sarcastic.

 

[russ_watters]

A gun is a gun. If you hear hoof steps, think horse, not coconuts*.

But a circuit board, while certainly the security should have reacted with extreme prejudice, I just don't think counts as a weapon per se. Much as it hints, it just doesn't say "clear and imminent danger".

A circuit board and a lump of play-dough. It is my understanding (and thus the basis of my logic) that it was intended to look like a bomb.

 

[DaveC426913]

But then, foolish me, I do not think deadly force should be used by security forces unless someone is actively shooting.

Really? Do you mean if someone was waving a gun in the direction of a crowd of innocents, security should not shoot?

 

[DaveC426913]

A circuit board and a lump of play-dough. It is my understanding (and thus the basis of my logic) that it was intended to look like a bomb.

Oh yeah. I forgot about the clay/playdough. I rescind. That can definitely be interpreted as a deadly device with imminent danger. Yep, shoot her if she blinks wrong.

And yep, now that I think that through, this wasn't simply a case of her being a s***-disturber, she was actually putting herself in real danger. Appallingly stupid.

 

[russ_watters]

Integral, weren't you in the Navy? Have you not seen what rules of engagment look like? Lethal force requries a perceived imminent threat of serious bodily harm. Pointing a gun or tampering with an explosive device most certianly qualifies - the bomb does not have to go off and the gun does not have to be fired.

Here's a sample ROE:

Level 5: Assaultive (Lethal Force). The subject usually has a weapon and will either kill or injure someone if he is not stopped immediately and brought under control. The subject must be controlled by the use of deadly force with or without a firearm or weapon.

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

 

[russ_watters]

Here is an article exactly on point:

The International Association of Chiefs of Police, which represents the heads of police departments in the United States and across the world, has issued new guidelines saying that officers who confront a suicide bomber should shoot the suspect in the head.

The recommendations, the first from a major police organization to deal with the realities of a post-Sept. 11 world, take a more aggressive posture than typical lethal-force guidelines. The guidelines were published July 8 -- about two weeks before the London police, acting on a similar policy, fatally shot an innocent Brazilian seven times in the head because they mistook him for a suicide bomber.

The National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board is developing the first national protocol for response to suicide bombers and is also recommending to police bomb squads nationwide that if a suspect is wearing a suicide bomb, an officer who needs to use deadly force should not shoot near the bomb.

U.S. police officers and federal agents typically have been authorized to use deadly force if lives are in imminent danger. But since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the definition of imminent danger has changed, prompting law enforcement officials to rethink the rules of engagement.

"There is not a responsible chief or head of a law enforcement agency in this country who isn't now pondering the dilemma a suicide bomber presents to their officers," said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer, who became the first chief in the nation to adopt a shoot-to-kill policy if his officers are confronted with a suicide bomber...

After the July 7 attacks on the London transit system by suicide bombers, the international police chiefs organization produced a detailed training guide for dealing with suicide bombers for its 20,000 law enforcement members. It recommends that if an officer needs to use lethal force to stop someone who fits a certain behavioral profile, the officer should "aim for the head" to kill the person instantly and prevent the setting off of a bomb if one is strapped to the person's chest.

It goes on to give guidelines that are looser than I suggested:

The police group's guidelines also say the threat to officers does not have to be "imminent," as police training traditionally teaches. Officers do not have to wait until a suspected bomber makes a move, another traditional requirement for police to use deadly force. An officer just needs to have a "reasonable basis" to believe that the suspect can detonate a bomb, the guidelines say.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301867_pf.html

 

[Stingray]

A circuit board and a lump of play-dough. It is my understanding (and thus the basis of my logic) that it was intended to look like a bomb.

She did not have anything intended to look like a bomb. Did you actually see the pictures? It was a breadboard with some LEDs arranged in the shape of a star (her name). Nobody who has ever played with electronics before would think that it looked anything like a bomb.

That said, I can understand her being questioned. She shouldn't have worn the shirt, but I've known plenty of absent-minded people. She probably didn't even consider that anyone could be so stupid as to think that looked like a bomb. OMG! Wires and lights! Help us all!

The fact that she was given criminal charges here is I think criminal in itself. This was clearly a silly mistake, and everyone should have laughed it off after they realized what was going on. Instead, security decided to possibly ruin this girl's life to make themselves look important.

 

[FredGarvin]

Well, there's no dispute that it was an incredibly stupid thing to do. I did see video of the shirt. It was a large, rectangular PCB with a 9V battery hanging off the side. Honestly, I could care less if the LEDs spelled out "I love puppies". It did not look friendly from the video I saw. The way I see it, the security did act accordingly, especially considering two factors:

1) She is a sophomore in college. That is perfect mind warping/brainwashing age for idealists , loyalists, whatever you want to call them, to be recruited into any kind of organization.

2) This was at Logan...where two of the 9/11 aircraft departed from. Do you think that pussyfooting around with security is anywhere in their vocabulary now? Heck no. If I were to go into Logan today I would be on edge myself.

I think this story goes to our nation's incredibly short attention span and the 'abuse' of our freedoms. Does anyone here really think this moron would have worn that shirt 6 months after 9/11 or even a year after? No. I don't think so. So why would it be ok to do it now? People need to stop passing through life without thinking about what they are doing.

 

[russ_watters]

Some clarifications:

-The article says she was carrying the lump of clay (in her hands), not that it was part of the device. I don't know if the police saw it or not.

-The video I saw on cnn was of too poor quality to get a clear look a the board (possibly a glare). So all I see is a board with some protruding wires and a 9v battery. If you guys say it has her name on it, I'll take your word for it.

-The info booth worker asked her what it was and she did not respond - she just turned and walked away.

My position remains unchanged.

 

[DaveC426913]

She did not have anything intended to look like a bomb. Did you actually see the pictures? It was a breadboard with some LEDs arranged in the shape of a star (her name). Nobody who has ever played with electronics before would think that it looked anything like a bomb.

That said, I can understand her being questioned. She shouldn't have worn the shirt, but I've known plenty of absent-minded people. She probably didn't even consider that anyone could be so stupid as to think that looked like a bomb. OMG! Wires and lights! Help us all!

The fact that she was given criminal charges here is I think criminal in itself. This was clearly a silly mistake, and everyone should have laughed it off after they realized what was going on. Instead, security decided to possibly ruin this girl's life to make themselves look important.

You think she wore that shirt accidentally? And was innocently carrying a lump of clay in her hands?

No way.

 

[Stingray]

I think this story goes to our nation's incredibly short attention span and the 'abuse' of our freedoms. Does anyone here really think this moron would have worn that shirt 6 months after 9/11 or even a year after? No. I don't think so. So why would it be ok to do it now? People need to stop passing through life without thinking about what they are doing.

So, we should live in constant fear for the rest of our lives because of the actions of a few people six years ago? Boston is not Baghdad. There haven't been bombs going off all the time (or ever, really). I think your attitude is a very disturbing one.

Regarding the gate agent, maybe she didn't hear or understand her. May she didn't want to bother talking to someone who was not a member of security. Regardless, it was a little suspicious. As I said before, I can understand this girl being approached. It is maybe even reasonable that they drew their guns. But it is absolutely silly that the girl was charged with anything.

You think she wore that shirt accidentally? And was innocently carrying a lump of clay in her hands?

No way.

Yes. She was there to pick up her boyfriend, not to board a plane. She was wearing whatever she was wearing. Friends on other sites have said that it's part of her normal wardrobe. She wore that all the time, and probably didn't think about it. Having gone to Caltech as an undergrad (which I assume is similar to MIT), I don't find that very strange.

She's a EE student with artsy inclinations. Clay is fun. Maybe that's how she passes the time while waiting around. Some people do things like that.

Also, if she'd wanted to construct something that looked "threatening," that's very easy to do. She has plenty of training for it. What she made looks absolutely innocuous to anyone with the slightest bit of electronics experience. That alone is enough to say it was not a fake bomb.

 

[Cyrus]

No offense, you are naive Stingray.

 

[Stingray]

No offense, you are naive Stingray.

You think she's a threat? Explain.

 

[Integral]

Integral, weren't you in the Navy? Have you not seen what rules of engagment look like? Lethal force requries a perceived imminent threat of serious bodily harm. Pointing a gun or tampering with an explosive device most certianly qualifies - the bomb does not have to go off and the gun does not have to be fired.

Here's a sample ROE:


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

That is all good and fine, for a police state. So I guess most here think we should move more in that direction?

Yes, I was in the Navy, and I recall Spain in the early 70's where there was a policeman on every corner with a submachine gun. That is life in a police state, you live in fear of the police.

Is that really what the US is about?

Must I live considering every action I take as to how it will be reacted to by the man on the corner with a gun?

Sure glad I am not 20 looking forward to the future of this nation.

 

[Integral]

No offense, you are naive Stingray.

Call me naive too.

We have long since shown that given the freedom to legislate we legislated away freedom. I am appalled at how little value so many here place on our personal freedoms.

In the past it seemed that they were being eroded away, now it looks as if it has gone beyond that to a full flash flood.

This argument is as old as the Nation, I am Jeffersonian, I believe the single most important concept of the American way is personal freedoms. Yes they are more important then a false perception of public safety.

 

[Cyrus]

You think she's a threat? Explain.

You are making too many assumptions. She wears it all the time, its a simple bread board anyone with any experience in electronics would know this, etc.

-She could wear it every day all day, guess what. You DONT wear that at an airport at this day and age, period.

-A cops job is NOT to know what a breadboard is or what kind of circuit is on the breadboard. This is an unreasonable assumption on your part.

-There was a guy who tried to blow up an airplane with C4 in his shoes a while back, remember? C4 looks like playdough and is exploded via electric signal, aka her 'circuit'.


http://www.fireandsafety.eku.edu/VFRE-99/Recognition/High/C4-1.jpg

 

[Cyrus]

Call me naive too.

We have long since shown that given the freedom to legislate we legislated away freedom. I am appalled at how little value so many here place on our personal freedoms.

In the past it seemed that they were being eroded away, now it looks as if it has gone beyond that to a full flash flood.

This argument is as old as the Nation, I am Jeffersonian, I believe the single most important concept of the American way is personal freedoms. Yes they are more important then a false perception of public safety.

This issue has NOTHING to do with personal freedoms, at ALL. Please tell me what freedom is being given up?

 

[rewebster]

I wonder what would have happened to her if she was at that Kerry speech down in Florida?

 

[DaveC426913]

Yes. She was there to pick up her boyfriend, not to board a plane.

You will be just as dead in an airport as you will in a plane.

She was wearing whatever she was wearing. Friends on other sites have said that it's part of her normal wardrobe. She wore that all the time, and probably didn't think about it. Having gone to Caltech as an undergrad (which I assume is similar to MIT), I don't find that very strange.

She's a EE student with artsy inclinations. Clay is fun. Maybe that's how she passes the time while waiting around. Some people do things like that.

Also, if she'd wanted to construct something that looked "threatening," that's very easy to do. She has plenty of training for it. What she made looks absolutely innocuous to anyone with the slightest bit of electronics experience. That alone is enough to say it was not a fake bomb.

Clearly, her defense plan was plausible deniability - i.e. exactly what you just said.


I'm all for personal freedom as well, but come, this is goading.

 

[rewebster]

I'm sure that's what the guardsmen said at Kent state too.

 

[Integral]

This issue has NOTHING to do with personal freedoms, at ALL. Please tell me what freedom is being given up?

The freedom to wear stupid things around your neck, the freedom to enter or leave a airport without your life being threatened by ignorant thugs with guns.


Not sure why that needs explaining. You think living in fear of the police is the way it should be?