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Re: Wired Science: Safety on the Jamarat Bridge
By Adam Rogers
From: Dr. G. Keith Still, www.CrowdDynamics.com
Your article about "Helbing" and the Jamarat Bridge contains a very misleading and innacurate statement. In any case, Helbing's group found that if the number of people passing a given spot in a given amount of time falls too low, the transition to turbulence was about a half hour away.
They suggested to the Saudis who followed up that they change the shape of the Jamarat Bridge and its approaches, institute automated counting to head off the turbulence transition, and make a few alterations in the schedule of the Hajj.
The shape of the new Jamarat Bridge has been the subject of intense study and simulation (by ourselves) since 2001 and Helbing was part of a 12-man team called into the kingdom in 2004 to review our work (which was approved). In 2004 there was an accident on the old bridge and we advised on the shape changes (using our simulations -- no involvement from Helbing et. al.) on the 33x11 elipse.
To suggest that the authorities have taken a recent involvment in this project and changed a $1.2 billion dollar construction -- based over seven years of analysis and architectural design -- is incorrect. Helbing became involved last year, after the bridge modifications were already in the construction phase.
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Re: The Wii Is a Plastic Box of Death
By Lore Sjberg
From: Dan Lourenco
Ha ha, I thoroughly enjoyed your article. Luckily I was able to find an extra "much ballyhooed" controller so I am now strapped to the teeth. Let the gang wars begin.
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Re: The Wii Is a Plastic Box of Death
By Lore Sjberg
From: Kyle Hodge
Ha ha ha, dude, just wanted to tell you I thought that was a hilarious article. But you forgot to mention how the Wii not only accomplishes giving gamers exercise gasp but it also has an evil "conversion aura" that pulls non-gamers into its icy, cold grasp of death!!!
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Re: The Wii Is a Plastic Box of Death
By Lore Sjberg
From: Matthew Niederberger
I read your article with absolute amazement. How come you needed a Wii to find out what you did? I find that there are many more examples of the message you are trying to convey. What about the plastic gun with the original Nintendo needed to play Duck Hunt? What about plastic toy guns? What about violence on television and news items about the Iraqi war and local crime?
I do not think that Wii is the problem and call it a Plastic Box of Death is taking it a bit too far. What about parental control? Why should we believe Jack Thompson in thinking that the game industry is to blame. Do you blame weapons manufacturers for their participation in the killing in gang bangs, wars and other crimes? Jack Thompson is wanting to hold game developers responsible, but it all starts at home and I think that your article failed to point this out. Kids are still the responsibility of the parents and/or guardians. After all, should we also blame car manufacturers who supply the cars kids use to practice Carmageddon in? Get real! Get to the source, hold parents responsible and your country's politicians who find it more urgent to spend money on war than their own internal school and medical aid issues! The parents can decide what type of games kids play today. Because be honest, the 'anti-socialization' of youth starts at home not with the purchase of a gaming console!
P.S. What is wrong with letting gamers move a bit more, get exercise? At least it is helping them burn the 'supersized' calories they eat. With ongoing weight problems of today's youth, you'd think this would be a good thing.
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Re: The Wii Is a Plastic Box of Death
By Lore Sjberg
From: Ricardo Gars
dude u need to stop bitching. all that nintendo does is care for their costumers or else why would nintendo send new straps for free and i think u need to see a psychologist because i think u have paranoia. ur probaly a 40 year old virgin with no stories what so ever, so u decided to rant on the wii cause u know the other consoles are just remakes with better power but the wii is inovative and at the end u will see who prevails.
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