Comments on: The CSI Effect

By: Joshua Risner

Joshua Risner — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:57:56 +0000

This about sums it up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBcNpXmr-Ps

By: ubikuberalles

ubikuberalles — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:58:57 +0000

>>the scene in Independence day where Jeff Goldblum uploads a virus to an alien spacecraft,

I was very disappointed when I read Arthur C. Clarke’s final Odyssey sequel: “3001: The Final Odyssey”. In that novel the aliens instructed the monoliths to destroy humanity by constructing a wall (composed of many copies of the monolith) that blocks sunlight from the Earth. The protagonists of the book solved the problem by infecting the monoliths with a virus. UGH.

Clarke was a respected Science Fiction writer (noted as one of the “Deans” of SF) and an engineer. He used computers for years before he wrote this novel (on his PC in Sri Lanka where he E-mailed the manuscript over a satellite link-up to his publisher in NYC – no mean feat there). He should know better. Unless the monoliths spit out an operating manual listing the specs of it’s operating system, there’s no way in hell a virus will work on the first try. Also, the ending was bad story telling. Pure Deus Ex Machina

By: Earl Green

Earl Green — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:37:14 +0000

If I thought Hollywood was reality, I’d sneak into a forensics lab to see precisely when they turn off the overhead lights, turn on all the indirect neon lighting, and start the techno music. There’s always colorful lighting and techno music. If there wasn’t, we’d fall asleep during all those “we’re investamigating stuff” montages in CSI. And I always wonder if someone ever turns these things on too early: “Dammit, Roger, it’s not time for the neons and techno music yet! We’re not even dusting for prints yet!”

By: Dave Farquhar

Dave Farquhar — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:44:26 +0000

A relative’s GPS got stolen over Christmas. The reaction from local police didn’t surprise her or her husband–he’s a cop too, just a different jurisdiction. He was disappointed in how difficult it was to get a copy of the report, but that varies.

Stuff like a stolen GPS just doesn’t get a ton of attention unless there’s good video footage or some really good clue.

But I can top that. In 1995, I home for Christmas break, playing Civilization in the basement around midnight when I heard a gunshot. A gunshot! Mom and I met in the kitchen. The kitchen window was shot out. We looked outside–carefully–and there was nobody there.

To this day, I’m sure it was one of two people who did it.

The local keystone kops came by, but since it didn’t involve writing a speeding ticket for a teenager, they took no interest in it. Since it was clear my mom and sister couldn’t live there in safety anymore, they did what any reasonable family would do. They moved. Fortunately the house is in a good school district, so we had no trouble selling it.

I still get mad when I think about it though.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:11:13 +0000

Very true and very well said. Although, I remember when I watched The Net (as a high school junior) I was enthralled and instantly wanted to become a ‘computer systems analyst’ and be that cool. Plus I was a huge fan & obsessive player of the original Wolfenstein…I so kicked ass in that game back then! LOL!

Reality set in once into college but I learned that Hollywood effect the hard way, damn it. :)

By: gloomy

gloomy — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:22:54 +0000

When my car window got smashed in and GPS stolen, I was directed to call 311 here in MN. They said flat out that they don’t dispatch officers unless there are injuries or damage over a certain dollar amount. So, I called the not-quite-cops and at least got something on record.