Insert Office Space Jokes here. Or don't.
June 3, 2008 5:22 PM Subscribe
Buncha cowardly dudes in that office, there.
Please note: when I freak out and start throwing monitors, staplers, and anything else I can get my hands on, vito90 will save you all.
posted by beaucoupkevin at 5:31 PM on June 3, 2008 [21 favorites]
Please note: when I freak out and start throwing monitors, staplers, and anything else I can get my hands on, vito90 will save you all.
posted by beaucoupkevin at 5:31 PM on June 3, 2008 [21 favorites]
Any context for this? Any idea what kind of office this is, what the guy's story is? Lost fan who felt the fourth season finale raised more questions than it answered?
posted by jbickers at 5:33 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by jbickers at 5:33 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
This is just sad. Flagged.
posted by basicchannel at 5:33 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by basicchannel at 5:33 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
I agree with vito...someone should have tackled his ass....
posted by HuronBob at 5:34 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by HuronBob at 5:34 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Buncha cowardly dudes in that office, there.
Maybe because they were all secretly enjoying it, or too busy filming it on their phones. If someone went batshitinsane in the office and go feral, I'd let it play out until someone got hurt.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 5:35 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Maybe because they were all secretly enjoying it, or too busy filming it on their phones. If someone went batshitinsane in the office and go feral, I'd let it play out until someone got hurt.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 5:35 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Translation from Russian: "Don't taze me bro'"
posted by Pollomacho at 5:37 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Pollomacho at 5:37 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Buncha cowardly dudes in that office, there.
Because the smart thing to do would have been to risk being beat over the head with a fucking CRT screen to save some fucking TPS reports.
posted by eyeballkid at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2008 [24 favorites]
Because the smart thing to do would have been to risk being beat over the head with a fucking CRT screen to save some fucking TPS reports.
posted by eyeballkid at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2008 [24 favorites]
Well, if my office was painted like that I think I'd go berserk as well.
posted by fore at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by fore at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2008
The purpose of Russians is to flip out and kill people.
posted by Saxon Kane at 5:40 PM on June 3, 2008 [13 favorites]
posted by Saxon Kane at 5:40 PM on June 3, 2008 [13 favorites]
Dutch man injures posterior in mooning accident
posted by homunculus at 5:41 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 5:41 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Cowardly? You've been watching too many movies. I see a bunch of shocked people trying to deal with someone gone mental, without getting hurt themselves. I see two guys who braved him head on, and others trying to help those who were possibly injured. This is exactly how it would play out just about anywhere.
But yeah, I wonder what made the guy snap? And who amongst us hasn't, at some point, shared the desire to rip the hell out of our workplace?
Erm.
Just me? Surely not.
posted by jokeefe at 5:42 PM on June 3, 2008
But yeah, I wonder what made the guy snap? And who amongst us hasn't, at some point, shared the desire to rip the hell out of our workplace?
Erm.
Just me? Surely not.
posted by jokeefe at 5:42 PM on June 3, 2008
the little rollers get flat spots and they get stuck
posted by disclaimer at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by disclaimer at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
More proof that the office cubicle was a bad idea.
posted by ornate insect at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by ornate insect at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008
LOLMENTALLYILL
posted by DU at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by DU at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
they kept taking my stapler.
posted by waraw at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by waraw at 5:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [4 favorites]
After 15 seconds, I was thinking that I would have tried to take him down by that point, and then he had to get the axe or hoe or whatever and sent my theoretical self back to cowering with the office workers.
posted by bunnytricks at 5:45 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by bunnytricks at 5:45 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
Only an idiot would try to rush someone like that. The correct move is to FUCKING RUN.
posted by puke & cry at 5:47 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by puke & cry at 5:47 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
Get out of here. This is so fake. The three pretty girls in the lower right quadrant act just like bad improvisors in a Mike Leigh crowd scene. They step back, they step forward, they step back, they step forward. They put their hands to their mouths, they take them down. They are careful to stay within the frame. In real life, as soon as he decked that woman with the monitor, all the women and maybe two of the men would have cleared out, fast. Then the remaining men would have grouped up on the guy and taken him down. This is pure WWE.
posted by Faze at 5:48 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Faze at 5:48 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
> Buncha cowardly dudes in that office, there.
You're welcome to bare-handedly stop a guy swinging a fire axe. I'll stay safely out of range, thanks.
I'm impressed by the security guards who brought him down. I haven't seen many security guards in U.S. offices who could get up a staircase, nevermind disarm a freakshow and pin him before a tasing.
posted by ardgedee at 5:50 PM on June 3, 2008
You're welcome to bare-handedly stop a guy swinging a fire axe. I'll stay safely out of range, thanks.
I'm impressed by the security guards who brought him down. I haven't seen many security guards in U.S. offices who could get up a staircase, nevermind disarm a freakshow and pin him before a tasing.
posted by ardgedee at 5:50 PM on June 3, 2008
As long as we're in tawdry-spectacle-filter mode, did anyone catch this?
posted by ornate insect at 5:50 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by ornate insect at 5:50 PM on June 3, 2008
They step back, they step forward, they step back, they step forward. They put their hands to their mouths, they take them down. They are careful to stay within the frame.
Actually, something like this happened in my office, and this was pretty much what I did (substituting "door frame" for "frame"). Most of us did, except for the one guy who was clearheaded enough to pull apart the two fighters. I'm ashamed I didn't move faster.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:51 PM on June 3, 2008
Actually, something like this happened in my office, and this was pretty much what I did (substituting "door frame" for "frame"). Most of us did, except for the one guy who was clearheaded enough to pull apart the two fighters. I'm ashamed I didn't move faster.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:51 PM on June 3, 2008
The guys in the dark jackets that take him down are security guards. If you watch very closely in the cell video he gets clocked by one of them in the head or throat with what looks like either a baton, flashlight or radio.
The thing that starts it all is the guy with the big butt that knocks some of the papers off the desk. Apparently his apology wasn't contrite enough for Mr. Anger Management Issues, so as the dude with the butt is picking up his papers, Anger Management Issues picks up his keyboard and busts it over his head.
The situation - as Mark Twain might put it - grows increasingly too various from there.
posted by loquacious at 5:55 PM on June 3, 2008
The thing that starts it all is the guy with the big butt that knocks some of the papers off the desk. Apparently his apology wasn't contrite enough for Mr. Anger Management Issues, so as the dude with the butt is picking up his papers, Anger Management Issues picks up his keyboard and busts it over his head.
The situation - as Mark Twain might put it - grows increasingly too various from there.
posted by loquacious at 5:55 PM on June 3, 2008
fucking Vista.
posted by tula at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2008 [22 favorites]
posted by tula at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2008 [22 favorites]
Please note: when I freak out and start throwing monitors, staplers, and anything else I can get my hands on, vito90 will save you all.
If you throw a monitor at one of my female coworkers? I WILL fuck you up, take it to the bank.
posted by vito90 at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2008 [9 favorites]
If you throw a monitor at one of my female coworkers? I WILL fuck you up, take it to the bank.
posted by vito90 at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2008 [9 favorites]
"Why don't I get this fixed? Why don't I EVER GET THIS FUCKING THING FIXED? Every night it's f-...ah, it always comes out eventually, fuck it."
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Also, most office workers (myself included, when confined to one) hardly have the energy or will to live to even reload the printer or walk an extra 20 feet to empty their moldy disposable coffee cup rather than balance it carefully in their wastebasket for the janitor to deal with.
Frankly I don't know where the guy got the energy to do that kind of raging. He must be a real go getter, a regular joe boy. Someone needs to put him in sales or marketing.
posted by loquacious at 6:00 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
Frankly I don't know where the guy got the energy to do that kind of raging. He must be a real go getter, a regular joe boy. Someone needs to put him in sales or marketing.
posted by loquacious at 6:00 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
It's fake.
I'm telling you that shit is likely fake.
And this is why:
This is exactly how it would play out just about anywhere.
No it isn't. Not in my experience.
I worked as a bouncer and Have witnessed hundreds of fights and people going ape shit. And you know what? It goes on for about thirty seconds until people see if there is a gun or knife or if it's only one guy and they either flee IMMEDIATELY or they dog pile on the on the one guy.
It's almost an instinctual reaction with men to tackle and dog pile. I have witnessed it at least a hundred times. In fact being the smallest bouncer in human history I COUNTED on it. It's fights in public areas (unless gangs are involved) usually don't last long. People almost immediately intervene. Unless people have some sort of vested interest in seeing somebody go ape shit —OR— they just don't like the guy.
And that's the only reason I can think of why nobody tackled him— they thought it was either amusing or they WANTED him to go ape shit.
Otherwise, until the axe or what ever that was came out, they were pretty chicken shit.
And an AXE? C'mon? How many "offices" have a fire axe right out witht he fucking cubicles? Even in Russia? And what? Were those cubicles assembled with paper clips and gum?
I'm telling you that bullshit was fake, you suckers.
posted by tkchrist at 6:04 PM on June 3, 2008 [15 favorites]
I'm telling you that shit is likely fake.
And this is why:
This is exactly how it would play out just about anywhere.
No it isn't. Not in my experience.
I worked as a bouncer and Have witnessed hundreds of fights and people going ape shit. And you know what? It goes on for about thirty seconds until people see if there is a gun or knife or if it's only one guy and they either flee IMMEDIATELY or they dog pile on the on the one guy.
It's almost an instinctual reaction with men to tackle and dog pile. I have witnessed it at least a hundred times. In fact being the smallest bouncer in human history I COUNTED on it. It's fights in public areas (unless gangs are involved) usually don't last long. People almost immediately intervene. Unless people have some sort of vested interest in seeing somebody go ape shit —OR— they just don't like the guy.
And that's the only reason I can think of why nobody tackled him— they thought it was either amusing or they WANTED him to go ape shit.
Otherwise, until the axe or what ever that was came out, they were pretty chicken shit.
And an AXE? C'mon? How many "offices" have a fire axe right out witht he fucking cubicles? Even in Russia? And what? Were those cubicles assembled with paper clips and gum?
I'm telling you that bullshit was fake, you suckers.
posted by tkchrist at 6:04 PM on June 3, 2008 [15 favorites]
Also. Are monitors not firmly attached to CPU's with cables in Russia?
posted by tkchrist at 6:06 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by tkchrist at 6:06 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
Fake-ity fake fake fakey fake!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:07 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:07 PM on June 3, 2008
This should be removed from MetaFilter. A real MeFi post would have an accompanying backstory. As it is, this is no better than a SA post.
posted by chips ahoy at 6:10 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by chips ahoy at 6:10 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
And an AXE? C'mon? How many "offices" have a fire axe right out witht he fucking cubicles?
I'm pretty sure it's a lamp that gets mangled as he's thrashing it around. You can see bits of it flying off after he first picks it up.
Consider that your experience with brawls might be modified by liquid bravery. I've seen stuff like this go down where people react like this - and having done a little bouncer work it's different in bars and clubs. He might have a history of being a bully or otherwise dominant personality in that office that is altering the way the people around him are reacting out of fear.
posted by loquacious at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty sure it's a lamp that gets mangled as he's thrashing it around. You can see bits of it flying off after he first picks it up.
Consider that your experience with brawls might be modified by liquid bravery. I've seen stuff like this go down where people react like this - and having done a little bouncer work it's different in bars and clubs. He might have a history of being a bully or otherwise dominant personality in that office that is altering the way the people around him are reacting out of fear.
posted by loquacious at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
I find it deeply suspicious that the guy that freaked just happened to have his desk in the foreground, centre frame, of a fairly good CCTV camera in a perfectly normal looking office. It couldn't have been framed on him any better if he moved the camera onto him himself. Not only is there this coincidence, but he also stayed precisely within that frame for the entire of the rant.
Also, it looks to me that at least one of the monitors he threw (including the one that he lobbed at the girl to his left) had no cables in the back, or they wouldn't have gone half as far before having their trajectory very much affected - curving around, perhaps, but not flying straight like that.
I call fake. It's just, these days, people have to try a lot harder in their fakery. I think we'll see an advert for natura-calm or something "for stressful office environments" in Russia, soon.
posted by Brockles at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
Also, it looks to me that at least one of the monitors he threw (including the one that he lobbed at the girl to his left) had no cables in the back, or they wouldn't have gone half as far before having their trajectory very much affected - curving around, perhaps, but not flying straight like that.
I call fake. It's just, these days, people have to try a lot harder in their fakery. I think we'll see an advert for natura-calm or something "for stressful office environments" in Russia, soon.
posted by Brockles at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
No it isn't. Not in my experience.
I worked as a bouncer...
Well, to be perfectly honest, that's not quite the same work environment as a cubefarm now is it?
posted by lekvar at 6:13 PM on June 3, 2008
I worked as a bouncer...
Well, to be perfectly honest, that's not quite the same work environment as a cubefarm now is it?
posted by lekvar at 6:13 PM on June 3, 2008
What would be the point of faking it though? Seems like a lot of work, time, props, money, energy and people to perform--all to just have the youtube du jour. Also, was that an axe or just a lamp stand? I really don't have an opinion one way or another, but it does seem possible, tkchrist, that Russian office workers in the workplace might behave differently to this kind of thing than drunken folks at a bar or nightclub. They might be more reserved. But who knows, maybe it is fake: if I felt compelled I might watch it again, but I don't feel so compelled.
posted by ornate insect at 6:15 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by ornate insect at 6:15 PM on June 3, 2008
If you throw a monitor at one of my female coworkers? I WILL fuck you up, take it to the bank.
Yeah, agreed. That's pretty much the point I'd have definitely got involved, too. Not that I am any hero or rock hard muthafucka, or anything. I'd have just thrown the biggest thing that I could at him and tried to hold him down to stop him hurting anyone else. But there's no way I'd have been able to stand still after that - that would have completely pushed my button.
posted by Brockles at 6:16 PM on June 3, 2008
Yeah, agreed. That's pretty much the point I'd have definitely got involved, too. Not that I am any hero or rock hard muthafucka, or anything. I'd have just thrown the biggest thing that I could at him and tried to hold him down to stop him hurting anyone else. But there's no way I'd have been able to stand still after that - that would have completely pushed my button.
posted by Brockles at 6:16 PM on June 3, 2008
If you throw a monitor at one of my female coworkers? I WILL fuck you up, take it to the bank.
If the coworker is male, though, he's on his fucking own.
posted by ORthey at 6:16 PM on June 3, 2008 [18 favorites]
If the coworker is male, though, he's on his fucking own.
posted by ORthey at 6:16 PM on June 3, 2008 [18 favorites]
I couldn't help how I reacted. I'd just found out that Hillary wasn't going to get the nomination and I just...snapped.
posted by newfers at 6:17 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by newfers at 6:17 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Lots of good* stuff there.
Please turn off your cell phone.
From across the big table.
Not a computer person.
*Depending on your definition of good.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:18 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Please turn off your cell phone.
From across the big table.
Not a computer person.
*Depending on your definition of good.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:18 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Improv Everywhere is running out of ideas.
posted by Gary at 6:19 PM on June 3, 2008 [9 favorites]
posted by Gary at 6:19 PM on June 3, 2008 [9 favorites]
Meatbomb : That site fits my definition of creepily curious. I like!
posted by newfers at 6:22 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by newfers at 6:22 PM on June 3, 2008
It's a little scary to me to think that--in one of the at least three safe opportunities I would have taken to tackle the guy--so few people on Metafilter would have aided in protecting the collective safety. Should I make a personal note never to use that Jobs link up top?
posted by pokermonk at 6:23 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by pokermonk at 6:23 PM on June 3, 2008
Improv Everywhere is running out of ideas.
This? This is how you snark. Pay attention, n00bs!
posted by loquacious at 6:23 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
This? This is how you snark. Pay attention, n00bs!
posted by loquacious at 6:23 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Well, to be perfectly honest, that's not quite the same work environment as a cubefarm now is it?
Yes. I also failed do a double blind study with a placebo. Nor did I do a computer simulation.
Though Im not a sociologist of psychologist I have made something of hobby of human violence over the last several years as a bouncer and martial arts and self defense practitioner and instructor. (Also having most my family either involved in law enforcement of military service) I think I'm ALMOST qualified to at least make a rather good educated theory about how humans behave when there is violence. While it's true humans are not 100% predictable in any given environment I'm telling you from everything I know and have experienced it is highly unusually for people to just stand around and watch some dude that they know go ape shit. I entertain the idea that I could have my head up my ass. And if any of you are specialists in human behavior or are LEO I will demure. However, in this case I don't need to. Because that video is god damned fake.
posted by tkchrist at 6:26 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Yes. I also failed do a double blind study with a placebo. Nor did I do a computer simulation.
Though Im not a sociologist of psychologist I have made something of hobby of human violence over the last several years as a bouncer and martial arts and self defense practitioner and instructor. (Also having most my family either involved in law enforcement of military service) I think I'm ALMOST qualified to at least make a rather good educated theory about how humans behave when there is violence. While it's true humans are not 100% predictable in any given environment I'm telling you from everything I know and have experienced it is highly unusually for people to just stand around and watch some dude that they know go ape shit. I entertain the idea that I could have my head up my ass. And if any of you are specialists in human behavior or are LEO I will demure. However, in this case I don't need to. Because that video is god damned fake.
posted by tkchrist at 6:26 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
It wasn't an axe. it was a fucking SLEDGEHAMMER. That's right, in Russia they BEAT FIRES INTO SUBMISSION!
posted by joelf at 6:26 PM on June 3, 2008 [11 favorites]
posted by joelf at 6:26 PM on June 3, 2008 [11 favorites]
If you throw a monitor at one of my female coworkers? I WILL fuck you up, take it to the bank.
Heh.. Easy there, Tiger.
posted by c13 at 6:28 PM on June 3, 2008
Heh.. Easy there, Tiger.
posted by c13 at 6:28 PM on June 3, 2008
*My keyboard substitutes "of" for "or." It adds to the blown gasket quality of the thread, though.
posted by tkchrist at 6:29 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by tkchrist at 6:29 PM on June 3, 2008
it is highly unusually for people to just stand around and watch some dude that they know go ape shit.
Absolutely. As much as the lack of violent/suppressing behaviour was a warning flag, so was the total lack of anyone that may approximate a friend trying to talk them down. They all just watched. No-one other than the security guards attempted anything at all. You'd think that someone would at least do the oft spotted "Hey now, excitable guy! Maybe we should all just take a breath and...."
/nice bloke gets punched.
There's nearly always someone (especially among sober people) that thinks they can mediate.
posted by Brockles at 6:40 PM on June 3, 2008
Absolutely. As much as the lack of violent/suppressing behaviour was a warning flag, so was the total lack of anyone that may approximate a friend trying to talk them down. They all just watched. No-one other than the security guards attempted anything at all. You'd think that someone would at least do the oft spotted "Hey now, excitable guy! Maybe we should all just take a breath and...."
/nice bloke gets punched.
There's nearly always someone (especially among sober people) that thinks they can mediate.
posted by Brockles at 6:40 PM on June 3, 2008
was that an axe or just a lamp stand?
Looked more like a lamp stand type of thing to me. If it had a lot more weight at the end (axe, sledgehammer), you'd think that the guy who grabs it when it's swung at him wouldn't have absorbed it that easily. He barely moves backwards, on a slippery paper-strewn floor.
posted by CKmtl at 6:41 PM on June 3, 2008
Looked more like a lamp stand type of thing to me. If it had a lot more weight at the end (axe, sledgehammer), you'd think that the guy who grabs it when it's swung at him wouldn't have absorbed it that easily. He barely moves backwards, on a slippery paper-strewn floor.
posted by CKmtl at 6:41 PM on June 3, 2008
Fun fact: LiveLeak used to be Ogrish.com.
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:42 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:42 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Because that video is god damned fake.
If you don't mind me saying, I am a certified viral video expert, and I am pretty sure that trumps your ability to watch fights or whatever it is you do when you're not smugly posting about something you don't really know that much about. I've seen literally HUNDREDS of these things and, previous reservations aside, I am now convinced that it's real.
posted by dhammond at 6:42 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
If you don't mind me saying, I am a certified viral video expert, and I am pretty sure that trumps your ability to watch fights or whatever it is you do when you're not smugly posting about something you don't really know that much about. I've seen literally HUNDREDS of these things and, previous reservations aside, I am now convinced that it's real.
posted by dhammond at 6:42 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
Totally fake.
However, as far as giving them a couple points for plausible behavior: I would tend to agree with tkchrist in a general sense, but I do think there's a potential train-wreck effect in a situation like this. If something like this happened in an office where everyone generally hated this dude and were all just waiting for him to snap? Yeah, they might stand around and watch.
He goes a long while from his first couple attacks on human beings to the next. For the most part, he's just trashing office equipment. And yeah, if I hate the dude or if I'm just that shocked, maybe that's worth standing around to watch.
My first thought about it being fake was the fact that the camera was about centered on his desk, and then the fact that the computer monitor came up so easily. Seriously, he disconnected it and threw it that clean and fast?
Believable, except for the convenient choreography.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:43 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
However, as far as giving them a couple points for plausible behavior: I would tend to agree with tkchrist in a general sense, but I do think there's a potential train-wreck effect in a situation like this. If something like this happened in an office where everyone generally hated this dude and were all just waiting for him to snap? Yeah, they might stand around and watch.
He goes a long while from his first couple attacks on human beings to the next. For the most part, he's just trashing office equipment. And yeah, if I hate the dude or if I'm just that shocked, maybe that's worth standing around to watch.
My first thought about it being fake was the fact that the camera was about centered on his desk, and then the fact that the computer monitor came up so easily. Seriously, he disconnected it and threw it that clean and fast?
Believable, except for the convenient choreography.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:43 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Pssh, whatever. He had at the most two stars, maybe even three stars after he ganked that security guard. Bush league shit. Just the other day I was in Bohan and I rolled up to a computer cafe and threw a molotov cocktail through the window. BAM! I got four fucking stars, just like that. That's right, I am a badass motherfucker.
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 6:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 6:44 PM on June 3, 2008 [4 favorites]
I couldn't find any context for this except "lol, look at this manager going beserk". The video is disturbing: the guy keeps screaming "Bastards, you're all bastard" and almost crying, one woman screams "stop beating him, you'll kill him, stop!", and the guards efficiently taser him and tell people to put their phones away.
Very sad.
posted by Shusha at 6:44 PM on June 3, 2008
Very sad.
posted by Shusha at 6:44 PM on June 3, 2008
I couldn't find any context for this except "lol, look at this manager going beserk".
Well, and how many of you brave people would tackle your boss?
posted by c13 at 6:48 PM on June 3, 2008
Well, and how many of you brave people would tackle your boss?
posted by c13 at 6:48 PM on June 3, 2008
I am now convinced that it's real.
I am now convinced that you work as a Russian Viral media consultant.
posted by tkchrist at 6:51 PM on June 3, 2008
I am now convinced that you work as a Russian Viral media consultant.
posted by tkchrist at 6:51 PM on June 3, 2008
Let's pull the boat with the helicopter - sounded good in theory.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:51 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 6:51 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure about the computer monitor he throws, it may be that it was one that was not being used (and hence disconnected; I once worked in an office where there were always unused monitors sitting around). I did wonder for a moment if it was real when I watched it, but that was because it went on so long--and in the end I think I felt it was real, although I did not give it much thought: although that's b/c I could not fathom the work required to fake something like this (or the purpose behind doing so).
posted by ornate insect at 6:51 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by ornate insect at 6:51 PM on June 3, 2008
Please avoid shooting your collagues in the head during "happy fire".
posted by Meatbomb at 6:54 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Meatbomb at 6:54 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure about the computer monitor he throws, it may be that it was one that was not being used (and hence disconnected
The one he was staring at while typing, just before he used the same keyboard to hit the guy with?
Uhu.
although that's b/c I could not fathom the work required to fake something like this (or the purpose behind doing so).
Lack of imagination therefore = real? Wow...
posted by Brockles at 6:59 PM on June 3, 2008
The one he was staring at while typing, just before he used the same keyboard to hit the guy with?
Uhu.
although that's b/c I could not fathom the work required to fake something like this (or the purpose behind doing so).
Lack of imagination therefore = real? Wow...
posted by Brockles at 6:59 PM on June 3, 2008
I could not fathom the work required to fake something like this (or the purpose behind doing so).
Do they need a purpose? 90% of the dumb crap on YouTube as no "purpose" other than to be a goof of some sort. I never said, BTW, that this was a viral. Just that it was staged. And I now believe it to be 88% likely. Up from my original assessment. And I will also engage Smug Drive to Smug Factor 8 with Fuck You Torpedoes ready and waiting to fire at maximum dispersal.
posted by tkchrist at 6:59 PM on June 3, 2008
Do they need a purpose? 90% of the dumb crap on YouTube as no "purpose" other than to be a goof of some sort. I never said, BTW, that this was a viral. Just that it was staged. And I now believe it to be 88% likely. Up from my original assessment. And I will also engage Smug Drive to Smug Factor 8 with Fuck You Torpedoes ready and waiting to fire at maximum dispersal.
posted by tkchrist at 6:59 PM on June 3, 2008
I'm not saying that it's not fake. Everything stayed in focus far too long when he was all over the place from close up to far away. There's also something about the way in which there's only that one woman hysterically screaming but not GOING anywhere that bothers me. If he's flipping out completely, that woman could easily run for the door the security people are coming through.
Though, the "starts in center shot" argument I think is a bit bunk because, well, he's already started when the film starts, so of course he's going to be in center, they've had time to center him.
Regardless of that, people don't do anything if they fear for their own safety. It's why so many countries have good Samaritan laws -- people do nothing if they think they're going to be harmed in the process of doing something for others (whether it be take this guy out or do something else like call out for help). The existence of these laws alone tells you that people don't do shit when they come across a scene like this.
I studied this in school for a little while and, while I can't remember the exact details, there was a woman who was brutally assaulted on the front steps of her own apartment complex. She could see the people in the windows looking at what was happening, but NO ONE did anything and she landed up bleeding out and dying right there on her front porch while people died.
Most people don't "take out the psycho".
posted by Gular at 7:01 PM on June 3, 2008
Though, the "starts in center shot" argument I think is a bit bunk because, well, he's already started when the film starts, so of course he's going to be in center, they've had time to center him.
Regardless of that, people don't do anything if they fear for their own safety. It's why so many countries have good Samaritan laws -- people do nothing if they think they're going to be harmed in the process of doing something for others (whether it be take this guy out or do something else like call out for help). The existence of these laws alone tells you that people don't do shit when they come across a scene like this.
I studied this in school for a little while and, while I can't remember the exact details, there was a woman who was brutally assaulted on the front steps of her own apartment complex. She could see the people in the windows looking at what was happening, but NO ONE did anything and she landed up bleeding out and dying right there on her front porch while people died.
Most people don't "take out the psycho".
posted by Gular at 7:01 PM on June 3, 2008
I can't remember the exact details, there was a woman who was brutally assaulted on the front steps of her own apartment complex.
Kitty Genovese
posted by bunnytricks at 7:04 PM on June 3, 2008
Kitty Genovese
posted by bunnytricks at 7:04 PM on June 3, 2008
Kitty Geovese.
And it's quite a bit different when it happens in the same room with you.
posted by tkchrist at 7:05 PM on June 3, 2008
And it's quite a bit different when it happens in the same room with you.
posted by tkchrist at 7:05 PM on June 3, 2008
Wasn't there a Russian outfit that specialized in these viral videos? There was one a few weeks ago of a naked man hanging from an apartment balcony. This could be more of the same.
posted by texorama at 7:06 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by texorama at 7:06 PM on June 3, 2008
Let's pull the boat with the helicopter - sounded good in theory.
Oh, christ. That gave me lulzprosy.
(spoiler alert: the disaster that occurs isn't the obvious one..)
posted by bunnytricks at 7:08 PM on June 3, 2008
Oh, christ. That gave me lulzprosy.
(spoiler alert: the disaster that occurs isn't the obvious one..)
posted by bunnytricks at 7:08 PM on June 3, 2008
Pssh, whatever. Once I was trying to get into a cab and ended up hijacking it instead, completely by accident! But guess what, no one did anything! They just kept walking and driving, fading in and out of my line of sight even as I slammed into like three cars, a lamp post and some guy named Playboy X.
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 7:10 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 7:10 PM on June 3, 2008
Not a computer person.
I'm pretty sure I saw that in a commercial, once.
posted by dirigibleman at 7:11 PM on June 3, 2008
I'm pretty sure I saw that in a commercial, once.
posted by dirigibleman at 7:11 PM on June 3, 2008
The lead is dramatic but factually inaccurate. None of the witnesses observed the attacks in their entirety. Because of the layout of the complex and the fact that the attacks took place in different locations, no witness saw the entire sequence. Most only heard portions of the incident without realizing its seriousness, a few saw only small portions of the initial assault, and no witnesses directly saw the final attack and attempted rape in an exterior hallway which resulted in Genovese's death.[1]
In September 2007, the American Psychologist published an examination of the factual basis of coverage of the Kitty Genovese murder in psychology textbooks. The three authors concluded the story is parable more than fact, largely owing to inaccurate newspaper coverage at the time of the incident.[10] "The since-challenged story of the circumstances surrounding Genovese's death 'continues to inhabit introductory social psychology textbooks (and thus the minds of future social psychologists),' the trio of British university professors write in the September issue of American Psychologist. The result is a lack of research into similar cases, their article maintains".[11]
posted by tkchrist at 7:12 PM on June 3, 2008
I think it's staged, but except for some glaring tells, it's staged really well.
1) the camera is placed right in the center, conveniently right on Crazy Guy.
2) when he throws the monitor (monitors?), there aren't any cables that stop its movement, and they seem to all be turned off.
3) I could always spot the staged "Funniest Home Videos" video because of the reactions. In real life, people tend to react somewhat slowly to wild events, with confused looks, and slow movements--they try to assess the situation, and don't react with certainty until they know what's happening. These people seem to react too quickly to the guy, all while staying in frame. In short their reactions are too "perfect".
If it is staged, I think it's quite impressive, at the very least for the sheer number of people involved (an improv/theater group?).
posted by zardoz at 7:12 PM on June 3, 2008
1) the camera is placed right in the center, conveniently right on Crazy Guy.
2) when he throws the monitor (monitors?), there aren't any cables that stop its movement, and they seem to all be turned off.
3) I could always spot the staged "Funniest Home Videos" video because of the reactions. In real life, people tend to react somewhat slowly to wild events, with confused looks, and slow movements--they try to assess the situation, and don't react with certainty until they know what's happening. These people seem to react too quickly to the guy, all while staying in frame. In short their reactions are too "perfect".
If it is staged, I think it's quite impressive, at the very least for the sheer number of people involved (an improv/theater group?).
posted by zardoz at 7:12 PM on June 3, 2008
Do they need a purpose? 90% of the dumb crap on YouTube as no "purpose" other than to be a goof of some sort.
Well, the purpose is to get discussions like this going ("is it real? is it fake?"), which will hopefully bring the video to a wider audience, then use the viral fame as a way of attracting investors to help launch someone's career or company in film and/or marketing. The potential payback might have been worth the expense, in the eyes of the creators and/or initial investors.
posted by treepour at 7:14 PM on June 3, 2008
Well, the purpose is to get discussions like this going ("is it real? is it fake?"), which will hopefully bring the video to a wider audience, then use the viral fame as a way of attracting investors to help launch someone's career or company in film and/or marketing. The potential payback might have been worth the expense, in the eyes of the creators and/or initial investors.
posted by treepour at 7:14 PM on June 3, 2008
The one he was staring at while typing, just before he used the same keyboard to hit the guy with?
Uhu.
Lack of imagination therefore = real? Wow...
Brockles--I'm not actually making an argument one way or another: I only half-watched the thing once. I don't care enough about this question to watch it again and closely. So if it is the computer he was typing on (I thought it was at the fax machine, but I'll take your word for it), then the apparent lack of computer cables does seem to indicate a fake. I'm glad I could help you there.
As to the reason behind the video, does anyone else not see that this was a lot of time for a few minutes of viral video: an office would have to be put together (who is going to let someone trash an office for a fake film?), actors would have to be paid presumably, etc. Seems like a lot of work, so if it was faked (and again: I don't care enough to have an opinion) then I would like to know what motivates a group of people to go to such elaborate lengths for a lame few minutes of grainy video: it's not like it's going to lead to a feature-length film contract.
posted by ornate insect at 7:16 PM on June 3, 2008
Uhu.
Lack of imagination therefore = real? Wow...
Brockles--I'm not actually making an argument one way or another: I only half-watched the thing once. I don't care enough about this question to watch it again and closely. So if it is the computer he was typing on (I thought it was at the fax machine, but I'll take your word for it), then the apparent lack of computer cables does seem to indicate a fake. I'm glad I could help you there.
As to the reason behind the video, does anyone else not see that this was a lot of time for a few minutes of viral video: an office would have to be put together (who is going to let someone trash an office for a fake film?), actors would have to be paid presumably, etc. Seems like a lot of work, so if it was faked (and again: I don't care enough to have an opinion) then I would like to know what motivates a group of people to go to such elaborate lengths for a lame few minutes of grainy video: it's not like it's going to lead to a feature-length film contract.
posted by ornate insect at 7:16 PM on June 3, 2008
Come on!! Of course it's faked!
1. Nobody's can maintain a hissy-fit with that level of intensity for that long.
2. Nobody slide tackles this guy until the very end
3. Nobody in their right mind (which clearly he wasn't) stay in trashed room and doesn't make a run for it, or at least go trash other rooms.
Either way, it should be sent to all the managers that are contemplating downsizing in this perilous economy.
posted by Helixxx at 7:17 PM on June 3, 2008
1. Nobody's can maintain a hissy-fit with that level of intensity for that long.
2. Nobody slide tackles this guy until the very end
3. Nobody in their right mind (which clearly he wasn't) stay in trashed room and doesn't make a run for it, or at least go trash other rooms.
Either way, it should be sent to all the managers that are contemplating downsizing in this perilous economy.
posted by Helixxx at 7:17 PM on June 3, 2008
2) when he throws the monitor (monitors?), there aren't any cables that stop its movement,
The second monitor he throws, at roughly 0:55, seems attached. It falls strangely, and the cable pushes papers on the desk.
posted by CKmtl at 7:20 PM on June 3, 2008
The second monitor he throws, at roughly 0:55, seems attached. It falls strangely, and the cable pushes papers on the desk.
posted by CKmtl at 7:20 PM on June 3, 2008
OK I watched it again and it definitely does look fake, but it is a good job faking it. The clues to me are the two monitors he throws that are disconnected, the sledgehammer, and the fact that so few people run out of the office when he begins his tirade. I guess it might be real, but if I had to bet I would say fake.
posted by ornate insect at 7:28 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by ornate insect at 7:28 PM on June 3, 2008
Meatbomb, you're a man after my own heart. I find "pwned" compilations compelling viewing, though I don't like seeing people get seriously hurt, so it's a bit of a minefield to watch stuff like that. You never know when "stupid bicycle jump" is going to turn into "haha look at this guy getting crushed."
posted by maxwelton at 7:29 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by maxwelton at 7:29 PM on June 3, 2008
/ moves into cubicle next to vito90.
I saw a man go berserk like this once. I was tending bar and a businessman who often came in for lunch was sitting at the bar with a friend. He drank about a half a beer and just went insane. It appeared to come out of nowhere. It was the daytime so we had no bouncer and I was alone behind the bar. The other patrons just scattered. He started throwing everything he could and lifted up a table and was trashing the bar with it and threatening death to us all. To get out from behind the bar, I'd have had to go right by him and I wasn't going to try that so I just cowered thinking I would try to hit him with bottles if he came near me.
The owner heard the noise and came out of his office and crazy guy broke a bottle and was lunging for him. The owner grabbed a baseball bat he had stashed and kept threatening crazy guy with it and telling him to back off or he would use the bat. Crazy guy kept advancing. His behavior was terrifying. The owner cracked the bat over his head with a sickening sound, I thought he killed the guy. But crazy guy barely flinched, he kept advancing. The owner ran out the back door with crazy guy following and chasing him down the street. Some cops saw this and pursued. Crazy guy ended up with a broken arm, several broken ribs and a fractured skull before he was stopped. Observers said it took a half dozen cops to subdue him and he was still trying to resist when cuffed.
It was a terribly upsetting event to see someone flip out so violently and also to see him get hurt. His coworkers were mystified, saying they never saw any reason for his explosion nor any hint of it coming on. The man that was sitting with him said the conversation preceding this had been mundane and genial.
There were no heroes among our patrons, they all just ran. But if it had occurred at night, I think the pile-on behavior tkchrist describes would have occurred - our bartenders and regulars would not tolerate that.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:32 PM on June 3, 2008 [13 favorites]
I saw a man go berserk like this once. I was tending bar and a businessman who often came in for lunch was sitting at the bar with a friend. He drank about a half a beer and just went insane. It appeared to come out of nowhere. It was the daytime so we had no bouncer and I was alone behind the bar. The other patrons just scattered. He started throwing everything he could and lifted up a table and was trashing the bar with it and threatening death to us all. To get out from behind the bar, I'd have had to go right by him and I wasn't going to try that so I just cowered thinking I would try to hit him with bottles if he came near me.
The owner heard the noise and came out of his office and crazy guy broke a bottle and was lunging for him. The owner grabbed a baseball bat he had stashed and kept threatening crazy guy with it and telling him to back off or he would use the bat. Crazy guy kept advancing. His behavior was terrifying. The owner cracked the bat over his head with a sickening sound, I thought he killed the guy. But crazy guy barely flinched, he kept advancing. The owner ran out the back door with crazy guy following and chasing him down the street. Some cops saw this and pursued. Crazy guy ended up with a broken arm, several broken ribs and a fractured skull before he was stopped. Observers said it took a half dozen cops to subdue him and he was still trying to resist when cuffed.
It was a terribly upsetting event to see someone flip out so violently and also to see him get hurt. His coworkers were mystified, saying they never saw any reason for his explosion nor any hint of it coming on. The man that was sitting with him said the conversation preceding this had been mundane and genial.
There were no heroes among our patrons, they all just ran. But if it had occurred at night, I think the pile-on behavior tkchrist describes would have occurred - our bartenders and regulars would not tolerate that.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:32 PM on June 3, 2008 [13 favorites]
There were no heroes among our patrons, they all just ran. But if it had occurred at night, I think the pile-on behavior tkchrist describes would have occurred - our bartenders and regulars would not tolerate that.
Yup. People go "What's happening here?" with a collective "Huh?" and then they either get the fuck out - which is most people - or they bum rush the dude and dog pile. It does depend on the critical mass of males. You kind of quickly subconsciously deputize your selves when you see other guys start to make a move. Most people feel they need "permission" to do this.
People will hesitate longer if there is a weapon or if they think it might be a prank (thank you Ashton Kutcher!).
An example of this was a couple weekends ago at Seattle Folk Life Festival this happened when a guy pulled a gun and shot a dude. He got bum rushed. By HIPPIES.
Four people saw the suspected gunman running through the crowd, jumped him and held him until police arrived at what was by then a chaotic scene of screaming, fleeing people.
posted by tkchrist at 7:44 PM on June 3, 2008
Yup. People go "What's happening here?" with a collective "Huh?" and then they either get the fuck out - which is most people - or they bum rush the dude and dog pile. It does depend on the critical mass of males. You kind of quickly subconsciously deputize your selves when you see other guys start to make a move. Most people feel they need "permission" to do this.
People will hesitate longer if there is a weapon or if they think it might be a prank (thank you Ashton Kutcher!).
An example of this was a couple weekends ago at Seattle Folk Life Festival this happened when a guy pulled a gun and shot a dude. He got bum rushed. By HIPPIES.
Four people saw the suspected gunman running through the crowd, jumped him and held him until police arrived at what was by then a chaotic scene of screaming, fleeing people.
posted by tkchrist at 7:44 PM on June 3, 2008
My guess is it's some office bonding project. "Hey, let's make an office freakout video and get all over Youtube!"
The thing that makes it seem fake to me is apparently he's yelling "You're all bastards! You're all bastards! You're all bastards!" Nobody yells the same thing over and over that way except for drunken bums and actors trying to seem like they're freaking out.
posted by autodidact at 7:46 PM on June 3, 2008
The thing that makes it seem fake to me is apparently he's yelling "You're all bastards! You're all bastards! You're all bastards!" Nobody yells the same thing over and over that way except for drunken bums and actors trying to seem like they're freaking out.
posted by autodidact at 7:46 PM on June 3, 2008
Nobody yells the same thing over and over that way except for drunken bums and actors trying to seem like they're freaking out.
Not true. In elementary school, friend A threw dirt on friend B, causing B to chase A across the playground, pummelling him on the head, and yelling repeatedly, "YOU CREATED ME, NOW YOU HAVE TO DESTROY ME!"
It was hilarious.
posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) at 7:50 PM on June 3, 2008 [15 favorites]
Not true. In elementary school, friend A threw dirt on friend B, causing B to chase A across the playground, pummelling him on the head, and yelling repeatedly, "YOU CREATED ME, NOW YOU HAVE TO DESTROY ME!"
It was hilarious.
posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) at 7:50 PM on June 3, 2008 [15 favorites]
This one is for Meatbomb.
And anyone who is hating the main post.
posted by loquacious at 8:03 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
And anyone who is hating the main post.
posted by loquacious at 8:03 PM on June 3, 2008 [3 favorites]
Hmmm that blows my theory out of the water. Are you sure friend B wasn't actually a drunken bum?
posted by autodidact at 8:05 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by autodidact at 8:05 PM on June 3, 2008
Yup. People go "What's happening here?" with a collective "Huh?" and then they either get the fuck out - which is most people - or they bum rush the dude and dog pile.
I'll agree that this is often the case - but I'll maintain that I've seen carnage like this - and I've seen exactly the opposite reaction. Basically people standing around with their mouths open and flinching a lot.
Ever see someone take a swan dive into a fully stocked bar and basically go apeshit throwing bottles? I've seen it happen three times. People basically just stood out of the way each time and dodged shit. I find that people are less likely to intervene if the psycho in question isn't actually attacking people (much) like this guy seems to for most of the latter half of the video.
posted by loquacious at 8:09 PM on June 3, 2008
I'll agree that this is often the case - but I'll maintain that I've seen carnage like this - and I've seen exactly the opposite reaction. Basically people standing around with their mouths open and flinching a lot.
Ever see someone take a swan dive into a fully stocked bar and basically go apeshit throwing bottles? I've seen it happen three times. People basically just stood out of the way each time and dodged shit. I find that people are less likely to intervene if the psycho in question isn't actually attacking people (much) like this guy seems to for most of the latter half of the video.
posted by loquacious at 8:09 PM on June 3, 2008
Dude, this how the Revolution starts!
(Sorry if someone already posted this, I looked, but didn't see.)
posted by Xoebe at 8:52 PM on June 3, 2008 [4 favorites]
(Sorry if someone already posted this, I looked, but didn't see.)
posted by Xoebe at 8:52 PM on June 3, 2008 [4 favorites]
I was in San Diego near Mission Beach about 13 years ago and ran into a grocery store to buy a couple of gallons of drinking water and some chips. The tap water in our hotel room was gross. There was a guy about 50 years old that rode up on a bike as I was walking in. I was at the cashier paying and this guy walks up next to me at the movable belt. The back end of the belt had a curved metal end, and when this guy set his Sugar Babies down on it they slid off the rounded end and landed on the ground. He picks them up and sets them down and they slide off again. He picks them up and sets them down and they slide off again. The third time I am chuckling inside, until he just goes fucking crazy. He starts stomping on the little bags of Sugar Daddies like he is trying to split the earth. I hadn't got my change yet so I just moved further away from him. This goes on for about 30 seconds and the candy is smashed all over the ground. Then he starts squeezing his face really hard with his hands and crushes his wire frame glasses into a ball and throws them on the ground.
After that he started flailing his arms about and making noises kinda like a monkey. He grabbed the Plexiglas stand that the cashiers product book was on and broke it off. The cashier took off running and went into this raised managers area. I am about 20 ft away by now and fairly close to the a door. The big security guard appeared and asked him what the problem was, but was keeping his distance. The guy picked up his glasses and said he just wanted to pay for his stuff and leave. A man cautiously came out of the raised area and gave me my change and I grabbed my water and chips and left.
posted by Mr_Zero at 8:55 PM on June 3, 2008 [7 favorites]
After that he started flailing his arms about and making noises kinda like a monkey. He grabbed the Plexiglas stand that the cashiers product book was on and broke it off. The cashier took off running and went into this raised managers area. I am about 20 ft away by now and fairly close to the a door. The big security guard appeared and asked him what the problem was, but was keeping his distance. The guy picked up his glasses and said he just wanted to pay for his stuff and leave. A man cautiously came out of the raised area and gave me my change and I grabbed my water and chips and left.
posted by Mr_Zero at 8:55 PM on June 3, 2008 [7 favorites]
From tkchrist's hippies link:
Witnesses said the shooting occurred when a fight broke out near a drum circle.
This is the funniest thing I have read in a week. You probably have to have been around these things to understand how weird it is that there'd be this sort of random violence in the sort of environment where the drum circle takes place yet at the same time completely understand and sympathize with how it could drive someone to random violence. Dude was probably just trying to shoot out the drum heads.
Props to hippies giving him the bum's rush.
Meatbomb's (who is winning this thread) link to the cell phone video seems the most realistic to me for the way that a couple people jump in to restrain the unarmed flipping out man and upon being restrained he breaks out but ceases violence. Reminds me very much of the real incidents of flipping out I've seen.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 9:06 PM on June 3, 2008
Witnesses said the shooting occurred when a fight broke out near a drum circle.
This is the funniest thing I have read in a week. You probably have to have been around these things to understand how weird it is that there'd be this sort of random violence in the sort of environment where the drum circle takes place yet at the same time completely understand and sympathize with how it could drive someone to random violence. Dude was probably just trying to shoot out the drum heads.
Props to hippies giving him the bum's rush.
Meatbomb's (who is winning this thread) link to the cell phone video seems the most realistic to me for the way that a couple people jump in to restrain the unarmed flipping out man and upon being restrained he breaks out but ceases violence. Reminds me very much of the real incidents of flipping out I've seen.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 9:06 PM on June 3, 2008
Oh, the other thing that makes me think it's fake is the way the first security guard perfectly grabs the "axe" or whatever it is that's being wielded. He actually grabs it on the downswing, like he's Captain Kirk going up against a cheap stuntman...
posted by autodidact at 9:15 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by autodidact at 9:15 PM on June 3, 2008
So wait a second. Now we have five videos of people flipping out in the office - they all look pretty similar, some are pretty old, and I don't see rebuttals of them anywhere.
Are you folks telling me that these are all fakes? That somewhere there's a team of people producing anonymous fake "people flip out in an office" videos?
No, I think in a lot of offices people hate each other and suddenly snap - and the other people in the office don't care enough to do anything about it.
(And all the objections are extremely lame. People behave completely, completely different in an office environment than a club. Of course the stupid surveillance camera has great depth of focus, that's what they're designed to do.)
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 9:48 PM on June 3, 2008
Are you folks telling me that these are all fakes? That somewhere there's a team of people producing anonymous fake "people flip out in an office" videos?
No, I think in a lot of offices people hate each other and suddenly snap - and the other people in the office don't care enough to do anything about it.
(And all the objections are extremely lame. People behave completely, completely different in an office environment than a club. Of course the stupid surveillance camera has great depth of focus, that's what they're designed to do.)
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 9:48 PM on June 3, 2008
I'm telling you from everything I know and have experienced it is highly unusually for people to just stand around and watch some dude that they know go ape shit
Your favorite everything you know and have experienced sucks.
posted by dgaicun at 9:51 PM on June 3, 2008
Your favorite everything you know and have experienced sucks.
posted by dgaicun at 9:51 PM on June 3, 2008
Yup. People go "What's happening here?" with a collective "Huh?" and then they either get the fuck out - which is most people - or they bum rush the dude and dog pile.
It's a crapshoot. Sometimes everyone jumps in (and sometimes they jump on the wrong person and beat the holy crap out of the person who was the original victim while the perpetrator walks off), sometimes everyone runs for the door, and sometimes they stand there saying "dude, that's just not right" but not doing anything.
I can remember one time when I was 12 a friend and I were downtown, and this dude just started whaling on his girlfriend. We were all like, "Someone needs to call the police! Someone needs to stop this!" but we were kids, and all the adults around were just turning their heads away and walking like the dude beating up the woman was totally invisible. She was screaming and trying to run away, and no one did shit. They didn't even stop and stare, just kept walking. Finally we went into a store and got the guy behind the counter to say he was going to call the police, but I don't know if he really did or not.
This is something that is really different from one country to another, and from one location to another. In some places people will jump in and break things up really fast, and in other places you'd better watch out because the lynching party is going to start any second. Some places, no one will do anything, just wait for the police to come, and sometimes they won't even call the police. Other places, people are a lot more willing to become personally involved.
I don't know if the video is fake or not, any more than I know if that poor guy in the pipe was trying to get it to roll or not. (A friend of mine did that on purpose once, and really hurt himself -- we had no idea how fast it was going to move once it started down the hill.) The camera work was suspiciously good, but I've seen people flip out like that and they are really hard to stop. It's easy to talk about tackling someone who is a bad guy but not scary -- an unarmed teenage mugger, say. But tackling someone who has flipped out in a big way, who is berserk and acting like a wildman, that is a really daunting prospect, and I'd be pretty reluctant to be the first guy into that situation. I've seen people take some really serious punishment when they are crazy like that and they just keep coming -- it's really terrifying in real life. A normal person, you kick them in the nuts or whatever, and they are down for the count. But someone who is going berserk can have a broken arm all flapping around and they'll keep banging it into things.
posted by Forktine at 10:09 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
It's a crapshoot. Sometimes everyone jumps in (and sometimes they jump on the wrong person and beat the holy crap out of the person who was the original victim while the perpetrator walks off), sometimes everyone runs for the door, and sometimes they stand there saying "dude, that's just not right" but not doing anything.
I can remember one time when I was 12 a friend and I were downtown, and this dude just started whaling on his girlfriend. We were all like, "Someone needs to call the police! Someone needs to stop this!" but we were kids, and all the adults around were just turning their heads away and walking like the dude beating up the woman was totally invisible. She was screaming and trying to run away, and no one did shit. They didn't even stop and stare, just kept walking. Finally we went into a store and got the guy behind the counter to say he was going to call the police, but I don't know if he really did or not.
This is something that is really different from one country to another, and from one location to another. In some places people will jump in and break things up really fast, and in other places you'd better watch out because the lynching party is going to start any second. Some places, no one will do anything, just wait for the police to come, and sometimes they won't even call the police. Other places, people are a lot more willing to become personally involved.
I don't know if the video is fake or not, any more than I know if that poor guy in the pipe was trying to get it to roll or not. (A friend of mine did that on purpose once, and really hurt himself -- we had no idea how fast it was going to move once it started down the hill.) The camera work was suspiciously good, but I've seen people flip out like that and they are really hard to stop. It's easy to talk about tackling someone who is a bad guy but not scary -- an unarmed teenage mugger, say. But tackling someone who has flipped out in a big way, who is berserk and acting like a wildman, that is a really daunting prospect, and I'd be pretty reluctant to be the first guy into that situation. I've seen people take some really serious punishment when they are crazy like that and they just keep coming -- it's really terrifying in real life. A normal person, you kick them in the nuts or whatever, and they are down for the count. But someone who is going berserk can have a broken arm all flapping around and they'll keep banging it into things.
posted by Forktine at 10:09 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
Not weighing in on whether it's fake or not, but I've been in situations where someone totally flipped the fuck out for whatever reason and people did pretty much the same thing. So it may not be likely (especially in bars or whatnot), but in certain groups or maybe among certain types of people the whole "stare and not be sure what to do" behavior DOES happen on occasion.
posted by Stunt at 10:26 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by Stunt at 10:26 PM on June 3, 2008
yeah, well, in the united states, work beats up on YOU
posted by pyramid termite at 10:39 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by pyramid termite at 10:39 PM on June 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
I'm fascinated that those videos Meatbomb linked to all have sound. Do security cameras normally capture sound?
posted by AmbroseChapel at 10:50 PM on June 3, 2008
posted by AmbroseChapel at 10:50 PM on June 3, 2008
I don't care what anyone says. A situation like that warrants some tackling. No, it's okay, it doesn't have to be you who does the tackling. We'll do it. I'm right there with you, tkchrist.
And honestly, does nobody here realize that this would be a cubefarm environment? These people all know each other.
Guys out there - would you not at least grab your work buddy by the shoulders and be like "DUDE GET A FUCKING HOLD OF YOURSELF!" You fucking know that guy. You drink coffee with him. You would probably try to get in there and settle his ass down. This isn't a fucking shooting spree, it's some out of shape paper pusher throwing a hissy fit and kicking paper off a desk.
posted by crunch buttsteak at 11:09 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
And honestly, does nobody here realize that this would be a cubefarm environment? These people all know each other.
Guys out there - would you not at least grab your work buddy by the shoulders and be like "DUDE GET A FUCKING HOLD OF YOURSELF!" You fucking know that guy. You drink coffee with him. You would probably try to get in there and settle his ass down. This isn't a fucking shooting spree, it's some out of shape paper pusher throwing a hissy fit and kicking paper off a desk.
posted by crunch buttsteak at 11:09 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
A situation like that warrants some tackling.
I just don't see it. Get everyone out of the way, let him take his madness out on inanimate objects, wait for the guy with the Taser.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 11:11 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
I just don't see it. Get everyone out of the way, let him take his madness out on inanimate objects, wait for the guy with the Taser.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 11:11 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
"In an attempt to penetrate the highly coveted Russian consumer electronics market, maverick Apple, perhaps recalling its 'think different' slogan, has unveiled a shocking new ad. Gone are the lighthearted clips featuring that irritating actor who looks like the lovechild of Keanu Reeves and a duck engaging in banter with a dour and constipated-looking John Hodgman; instead, viewers in the former worker's paradise are treated to non-rehearsed clips of Hodgman, embedded in random Moscow offices, attempting to open a Microsoft application allegedly 'Already in use' and growing progressively more frustrated, eventually flying into a crystal meth-induced rage. The ads have become an internet sensation and Apple mastermind Steve Jobs is reportedly very proud of its success, although he has expressed concern regarding the 39 people who have so far died in Hodgman's rampages. However, the commercials have also drawn a fair amount of criticism, most notably from Yelena Markovitch, a former sales rep and survivor of the humorist-turned-menace's methy melees: 'I-I vas so scared," she sobbed to reporters before turning and directly addressing the cameras. "Vhere vhere you, wito90? Vhere vhere you?!?'."
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:34 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:34 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]
This is obviously another Ray-Ban ad.
posted by samsara at 12:13 AM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by samsara at 12:13 AM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'll agree that this is often the case - but I'll maintain that I've seen carnage like this - and I've seen exactly the opposite reaction. Basically people standing around with their mouths open and flinching a lot.
There's a very famous psychological experiment on this - essentially, if a crowd sees somebody needing rescuing (which you could more-or-less extrapolate to subduing) everybody will stand back & gawk & assume that it's somebody else's responsibility; basically, waiting for a leader to step forward & take the initiative.
On the other hand, an individual faced with a similar situation will have no hesitation in acting (assuming they're physically up to the task).
I'd look it up, but I've gotta run; maybe it's been mentioned already...?
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:17 AM on June 4, 2008
There's a very famous psychological experiment on this - essentially, if a crowd sees somebody needing rescuing (which you could more-or-less extrapolate to subduing) everybody will stand back & gawk & assume that it's somebody else's responsibility; basically, waiting for a leader to step forward & take the initiative.
On the other hand, an individual faced with a similar situation will have no hesitation in acting (assuming they're physically up to the task).
I'd look it up, but I've gotta run; maybe it's been mentioned already...?
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:17 AM on June 4, 2008
Throwing monitors is what you do when you are a rock star coder.
posted by Free word order! at 12:30 AM on June 4, 2008
posted by Free word order! at 12:30 AM on June 4, 2008
I'm partial to this office breakdown montage....but mostly because of the terribly cheesy music (because aw, it looks like they're having a really bad day!).
posted by numinous at 12:42 AM on June 4, 2008
posted by numinous at 12:42 AM on June 4, 2008
I gotta say, after looking at the work environment, I can totally see it being legit. Doofus that knocks his papers over is probably the guy that sits behind him. Look how close those seats are, and how shallow the desks are. Doofus must bump him all the goddam time. First people he goes after are the ones that encroach on his space.
And yea, they all work together, but do you think they are on good terms at all? Russian work environments aren't very social -- I'd think Russian completely-exposed-and-too-confining-cubefarm environment would be maddening. And that's all there is to the office, stairwell at the door where the guards come in, glass partition at the bottom of the security cam. As far as their reactions, again legit. Nobody really saw him assault the girl, and otherwise he's not going after anyone.
He tried to compose himself after tossing the monitor -- look at him try to collect the papers. He pauses to consider the order they need to be picked up. Then douchebag know-it-all comes up from behind and tries to tell him what to do again. F that S. F him. Papers go flying, and he goes after douchebags desk. Aw, you keep your big contract award on your desk still? The one that I fucking initiated before you claimed seniority to "close" it? Let me break your goddam monitor with it.
No one really knows this guy. No one really tries to socialize except for doofus and douchebag.
Seriously, if you don't see the reality in this, I truly envy you.
posted by FuManchu at 2:10 AM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
And yea, they all work together, but do you think they are on good terms at all? Russian work environments aren't very social -- I'd think Russian completely-exposed-and-too-confining-cubefarm environment would be maddening. And that's all there is to the office, stairwell at the door where the guards come in, glass partition at the bottom of the security cam. As far as their reactions, again legit. Nobody really saw him assault the girl, and otherwise he's not going after anyone.
He tried to compose himself after tossing the monitor -- look at him try to collect the papers. He pauses to consider the order they need to be picked up. Then douchebag know-it-all comes up from behind and tries to tell him what to do again. F that S. F him. Papers go flying, and he goes after douchebags desk. Aw, you keep your big contract award on your desk still? The one that I fucking initiated before you claimed seniority to "close" it? Let me break your goddam monitor with it.
No one really knows this guy. No one really tries to socialize except for doofus and douchebag.
Seriously, if you don't see the reality in this, I truly envy you.
posted by FuManchu at 2:10 AM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
Looks like somebody has a case of the Mondays!
posted by flabdablet at 4:15 AM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 4:15 AM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
In Soviet Russia, telling jokes gets you bonds and misery. In America, telling jokes gets you Branson, Misouri!
posted by Pollomacho at 4:18 AM on June 4, 2008
posted by Pollomacho at 4:18 AM on June 4, 2008
I don't know if this is real or not, but I could see it happening and I'd be surprised if anyone would jump in. I'd think most would flee. Perhaps that's sad and unheroic, but self-preservation is a strong urge. When people flip out on the public transit not many people interact, me included. Whenever someone starts to yell incoherent ramblings on the rail everyone seems to just clam up and hope the nutter gets off on the next stop - which they seem to usually do - and the train collectively exhales. I'd like to think if it started to really escalate I could stand up, but I just don't know.
Maybe this is old but here's some sad video of a girl loosing it, no one stepping in for quite a while as an elderly woman gets yelled at. And when they do it's from a safe distance. And the thing that many of us fear happens - the yelling girl comes at the person asking her to stop. News report.
posted by dog food sugar at 5:16 AM on June 4, 2008
Maybe this is old but here's some sad video of a girl loosing it, no one stepping in for quite a while as an elderly woman gets yelled at. And when they do it's from a safe distance. And the thing that many of us fear happens - the yelling girl comes at the person asking her to stop. News report.
posted by dog food sugar at 5:16 AM on June 4, 2008
Yeah, it's staged.
Look very carefully at the very start of the incident, where White Shirt is shuffling papers across the aisle, and then very deliberately moves backward to knock the papers off Crazy Guy's desk. That's not a normal, accidental move.
posted by beagle at 6:58 AM on June 4, 2008
Look very carefully at the very start of the incident, where White Shirt is shuffling papers across the aisle, and then very deliberately moves backward to knock the papers off Crazy Guy's desk. That's not a normal, accidental move.
posted by beagle at 6:58 AM on June 4, 2008
Maybe he did it to torment the guy.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:53 AM on June 4, 2008
posted by Pollomacho at 7:53 AM on June 4, 2008
It may be fake, it may not. But either way, I'm going to use this as an excuse to keep a net, tranquilizer gun, and straight jacket under my desk.
Just so my co-workers have something to use when I finally go batshit.
posted by quin at 8:20 AM on June 4, 2008
Just so my co-workers have something to use when I finally go batshit.
posted by quin at 8:20 AM on June 4, 2008
My two cents: I think it's real, but one of the later commenters asked guys if they would break it up and I have to say that I would, without a real pause, for every single co-worker but one. He's actually the smallest guy in the office, but he gives a lot of people the willies and I'd want to get serious back-up from other people because I can just see him doing something deranged.
Other than that, we don't know the office dynamics in that video. That could've been their supervisor/boss sitting at the desk for just a minute, a brand new hire, the office bench presser, or maybe he just found out his mom died and everyone knew it. Each of those may factors could've introduced different responses. Great video, though.
posted by history is a weapon at 8:22 AM on June 4, 2008
Other than that, we don't know the office dynamics in that video. That could've been their supervisor/boss sitting at the desk for just a minute, a brand new hire, the office bench presser, or maybe he just found out his mom died and everyone knew it. Each of those may factors could've introduced different responses. Great video, though.
posted by history is a weapon at 8:22 AM on June 4, 2008
Look very carefully at the very start of the incident, where White Shirt is shuffling papers across the aisle, and then very deliberately moves backward to knock the papers off Crazy Guy's desk. That's not a normal, accidental move.
Maybe that's why it pissed Crazy Guy off.
posted by katillathehun at 8:27 AM on June 4, 2008
Maybe that's why it pissed Crazy Guy off.
posted by katillathehun at 8:27 AM on June 4, 2008
Yeah, it's staged.
Look very carefully at the very start of the incident, where White Shirt is shuffling papers across the aisle, and then very deliberately moves backward to knock the papers off Crazy Guy's desk. That's not a normal, accidental move.
So I don't buy your analysis at all; that section looks perfectly consistent with someone accidentally backing up and hitting someone. You should observe real life more closely; many accidents involve "deliberate" moves where people's world model unfortunately does not match the real world. As has been noted above, that office is so very cramped that accidents like that would happen all the time.
But beyond that, by this point we have five different videos of office mayhem, including two separate ones of this outburst, and so you really need to answer the questions:
- Why are people making high-quality videos of fake office violence?
- Why are they choosing to remain anonymous?
- Where are they finding offices that they can trash?
- Where are they finding actors who are willing to be hit over the head with a telephone, monitor or keyboard?
and finally,
- We know from so, so many other sources that there is a huge amount of violence in the world. Why is it so implausible that some of this has been caught neatly on surveillance cameras?
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 8:28 AM on June 4, 2008
Look very carefully at the very start of the incident, where White Shirt is shuffling papers across the aisle, and then very deliberately moves backward to knock the papers off Crazy Guy's desk. That's not a normal, accidental move.
So I don't buy your analysis at all; that section looks perfectly consistent with someone accidentally backing up and hitting someone. You should observe real life more closely; many accidents involve "deliberate" moves where people's world model unfortunately does not match the real world. As has been noted above, that office is so very cramped that accidents like that would happen all the time.
But beyond that, by this point we have five different videos of office mayhem, including two separate ones of this outburst, and so you really need to answer the questions:
- Why are people making high-quality videos of fake office violence?
- Why are they choosing to remain anonymous?
- Where are they finding offices that they can trash?
- Where are they finding actors who are willing to be hit over the head with a telephone, monitor or keyboard?
and finally,
- We know from so, so many other sources that there is a huge amount of violence in the world. Why is it so implausible that some of this has been caught neatly on surveillance cameras?
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 8:28 AM on June 4, 2008
look at the dude's ass.
back... and to the left... rewinds
back... and to the left... rewinds
back... and to the left... rewinds
posted by boo_radley at 9:10 AM on June 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
back... and to the left... rewinds
back... and to the left... rewinds
back... and to the left... rewinds
posted by boo_radley at 9:10 AM on June 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
lumpus:
We know from so, so many other sources that there is a huge amount of violence in the world. Why is it so implausible that some of this has been caught neatly on surveillance cameras?
I agree, and I was going to point out that in the US, people go postal on a regular basis and off some of their coworkers with guns. But when I watched it one more time, that initial provocation struck me as staged, and still does.
posted by beagle at 9:33 AM on June 4, 2008
We know from so, so many other sources that there is a huge amount of violence in the world. Why is it so implausible that some of this has been caught neatly on surveillance cameras?
I agree, and I was going to point out that in the US, people go postal on a regular basis and off some of their coworkers with guns. But when I watched it one more time, that initial provocation struck me as staged, and still does.
posted by beagle at 9:33 AM on June 4, 2008
..someone should have tackled his ass...
But instead they decided to subdue him with tape! Way to go, security man.
posted by sunshinesky at 10:43 AM on June 4, 2008
But instead they decided to subdue him with tape! Way to go, security man.
posted by sunshinesky at 10:43 AM on June 4, 2008
Helixxx wrote
Nobody can maintain a hissy-fit with that level of intensity for that long.
You're new here, aren't you?
posted by lukemeister at 11:05 AM on June 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
Nobody can maintain a hissy-fit with that level of intensity for that long.
You're new here, aren't you?
posted by lukemeister at 11:05 AM on June 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
Metafilter is like telephone tag. Once again. If it's somebody people KNOW they usually react to restrain him. Bar or not. I have seen it in bars. In parks. At football stadiums. At concerts.
The less well they know the person (IE: the more dangerous he could be) the longer it takes to react and the fewer people initially act. People either flee or they do something to intervene. The people in that video just stand there and FILM it on thier cell phone cameras?
In office with somebody you work with? People may have thought it was a prank. And indeed it maybe was. But it went on far too long with out any intervention and there were too many convenient props - like the unplugged monitor and the other monitor being off and the cubical walls not even attached...
I still give it a 15% chance of being "real" spontaneous candid footage. And if it IS? Those people are sickening chicken-shits.
- Why are people making high-quality videos of fake office violence?
- Why are they choosing to remain anonymous?
- Where are they finding offices that they can trash?
- Where are they finding actors who are willing to be hit over the head with a telephone, monitor or keyboard?
and finally,
- We know from so, so many other sources that there is a huge amount of violence in the world. Why is it so implausible that some of this has been caught neatly on surveillance cameras?
This is ALL irrelevant. I don't know why. I don't care why.
You can ask the same questions as to "why" it would be real? Not knowing the "why" is no material refutation as to what we can see actually happened. Why did that guy fake the Nessie movie. Why do people say they were abducted by UFO's?
All your same "whys" can apply to literally hundreds of faked videos. But we know that they are faked and the motives of their production were only reveled after that knowledge is acquired.
And yes. There is a huge amount of violence in the world. I have seen first hand AND through video my share of violence. And that is precisely the judgment and experience I am relying on to to boldly proclaim this shit is fakity-fake-fake.
posted by tkchrist at 12:25 PM on June 4, 2008
The less well they know the person (IE: the more dangerous he could be) the longer it takes to react and the fewer people initially act. People either flee or they do something to intervene. The people in that video just stand there and FILM it on thier cell phone cameras?
In office with somebody you work with? People may have thought it was a prank. And indeed it maybe was. But it went on far too long with out any intervention and there were too many convenient props - like the unplugged monitor and the other monitor being off and the cubical walls not even attached...
I still give it a 15% chance of being "real" spontaneous candid footage. And if it IS? Those people are sickening chicken-shits.
- Why are people making high-quality videos of fake office violence?
- Why are they choosing to remain anonymous?
- Where are they finding offices that they can trash?
- Where are they finding actors who are willing to be hit over the head with a telephone, monitor or keyboard?
and finally,
- We know from so, so many other sources that there is a huge amount of violence in the world. Why is it so implausible that some of this has been caught neatly on surveillance cameras?
This is ALL irrelevant. I don't know why. I don't care why.
You can ask the same questions as to "why" it would be real? Not knowing the "why" is no material refutation as to what we can see actually happened. Why did that guy fake the Nessie movie. Why do people say they were abducted by UFO's?
All your same "whys" can apply to literally hundreds of faked videos. But we know that they are faked and the motives of their production were only reveled after that knowledge is acquired.
And yes. There is a huge amount of violence in the world. I have seen first hand AND through video my share of violence. And that is precisely the judgment and experience I am relying on to to boldly proclaim this shit is fakity-fake-fake.
posted by tkchrist at 12:25 PM on June 4, 2008
I don't know whether it's fake or not, but I do know that everyone extrapolating from experience with American offices to Russian behavior is talking completely out of their ass. Russians have a very different relationship to both work and coworkers. In fact, I'm going to vote "real" just to piss off the I KNOW IT'S FAKE BECAUSE I KNOW!!! folks.
posted by languagehat at 1:31 PM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by languagehat at 1:31 PM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
I suspect it's fake, but I didn't even bother to watch the whole thing, because I figured it was fake. All I can say for sure is that the internet seems to regurgitate something new and fake every single day lately, testing our gullibility.
posted by Dave Faris at 3:35 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by Dave Faris at 3:35 PM on June 4, 2008
In Soviet Russia, they remove top part of your body.
posted by lukemeister at 3:38 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by lukemeister at 3:38 PM on June 4, 2008
I'm going to vote "real" just to piss off the I KNOW IT'S FAKE BECAUSE I KNOW!!! folks.
But it doesn't piss me off. I like the fact that most of the word is far more gullible than me. I also like the fact people are stubbornly contrarian just to counter perceived stuborn contrariness.
posted by tkchrist at 3:45 PM on June 4, 2008
But it doesn't piss me off. I like the fact that most of the word is far more gullible than me. I also like the fact people are stubbornly contrarian just to counter perceived stuborn contrariness.
posted by tkchrist at 3:45 PM on June 4, 2008
But it doesn't piss me off. I like the fact that most of the word is far more gullible than me. I also like the fact people are stubbornly contrarian just to counter perceived stuborn contrariness.
I KNOW YOU ARE BUT I'M RUBBER AND YER GLUE WHATEVER YOU SAY BOUNCES OFF ME AND STICKS AND STONES YOUR MOM.
posted by katillathehun at 3:54 PM on June 4, 2008
I KNOW YOU ARE BUT I'M RUBBER AND YER GLUE WHATEVER YOU SAY BOUNCES OFF ME AND STICKS AND STONES YOUR MOM.
posted by katillathehun at 3:54 PM on June 4, 2008
I vote real for the record, I guess. It's too many people involved.
The only thing I didn't understand is why more people didn't leave, but maybe they couldn't leave. Maybe they were locked into the cubicle farm for the night like Wal-Mart does. That's what scared me the most - all these people, just waiting anxiously for him to stop ... so they can get back to work?!?!
As much as the lack of violent/suppressing behaviour was a warning flag, so was the total lack of anyone that may approximate a friend trying to talk them down.
In the first video, one guys does approach him and try to calm him down. That's when he throws those papers and goes completely apeshit.
I didn't see much violent behavior towards people, aside from the first few monitors. I'd totally stand at a safe distance and watch him smash stuff up. SMASH IT!!
If it's a fake, it's a good one. (Much better than that story about the 13-year-old with the credit-card and the hookers. That was obviously SEO black hat.) I don't know LiveLeak very well, but I think hoaxers would use YouTube. Why wouldn't they?
One tentative vote for real security video. The secondary cell phone video (which includes yet another guy filming it) is a very nice touch if a hoax.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:12 PM on June 4, 2008
The only thing I didn't understand is why more people didn't leave, but maybe they couldn't leave. Maybe they were locked into the cubicle farm for the night like Wal-Mart does. That's what scared me the most - all these people, just waiting anxiously for him to stop ... so they can get back to work?!?!
As much as the lack of violent/suppressing behaviour was a warning flag, so was the total lack of anyone that may approximate a friend trying to talk them down.
In the first video, one guys does approach him and try to calm him down. That's when he throws those papers and goes completely apeshit.
I didn't see much violent behavior towards people, aside from the first few monitors. I'd totally stand at a safe distance and watch him smash stuff up. SMASH IT!!
If it's a fake, it's a good one. (Much better than that story about the 13-year-old with the credit-card and the hookers. That was obviously SEO black hat.) I don't know LiveLeak very well, but I think hoaxers would use YouTube. Why wouldn't they?
One tentative vote for real security video. The secondary cell phone video (which includes yet another guy filming it) is a very nice touch if a hoax.
posted by mrgrimm at 4:12 PM on June 4, 2008
I didn't see much violent behavior towards people, aside from the first few monitors. I'd totally stand at a safe distance and watch him smash stuff up. SMASH IT!!
I suppose it would help if there was an English transcript. Then you could see if he was being simply batshit incomprehensible or directly threatening. You may also get an indication if people actually knew this guy or if they were all relative strangers. As it is with no context I'm still betting it's fake.
posted by tkchrist at 4:35 PM on June 4, 2008
I suppose it would help if there was an English transcript. Then you could see if he was being simply batshit incomprehensible or directly threatening. You may also get an indication if people actually knew this guy or if they were all relative strangers. As it is with no context I'm still betting it's fake.
posted by tkchrist at 4:35 PM on June 4, 2008
So, lemme get this straight, tkchrist... you're saying you think this thing is fake? Is that what you're saying?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:13 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:13 PM on June 4, 2008
I think that's also the second link in the post, psyche7.
posted by katillathehun at 6:37 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by katillathehun at 6:37 PM on June 4, 2008
Hey tkchrist? The plane takes off.
posted by loquacious at 6:52 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by loquacious at 6:52 PM on June 4, 2008
Pah. I've had worse days at the office.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:39 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by five fresh fish at 9:39 PM on June 4, 2008
Pah. I've had worse days at the office.
Really, fff? I'd never have guessed, what with the ever-cheerful demeanor you display in comments around here!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:38 PM on June 4, 2008
Really, fff? I'd never have guessed, what with the ever-cheerful demeanor you display in comments around here!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:38 PM on June 4, 2008
They don't call me "Sunshine" for nuttin', y'know.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:47 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by five fresh fish at 10:47 PM on June 4, 2008
It's fake, and here's why:
In the security camera video, there's an obvious video edit at the 01:18 made to look like a technical glitch.
The action resumes and there are people in *slightly* unnatural positions related to where they where when it cut to black. Look at all of them; they all have moved a little bit implying a director restarted the action.
And why is it that the Cell-phone camera footage begins exactly at this edit point? Look closely at the security cam footage and you also see the cell-phone camera guy standing two feet behind where he was prior to the cut.
FAKE!
posted by rocco at 12:16 AM on June 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
In the security camera video, there's an obvious video edit at the 01:18 made to look like a technical glitch.
The action resumes and there are people in *slightly* unnatural positions related to where they where when it cut to black. Look at all of them; they all have moved a little bit implying a director restarted the action.
And why is it that the Cell-phone camera footage begins exactly at this edit point? Look closely at the security cam footage and you also see the cell-phone camera guy standing two feet behind where he was prior to the cut.
FAKE!
posted by rocco at 12:16 AM on June 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
Fake or not, y'all gotta admit a certain amount of envy. Oh, to cut loose like that next time the boss demands the TPS reports.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:47 AM on June 5, 2008
posted by five fresh fish at 7:47 AM on June 5, 2008
I'll have you know that I, personally, have gone apeshit psycho in a Russian cubicle farm, and this is exactly what happens!
posted by lore at 9:17 AM on June 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by lore at 9:17 AM on June 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
This new version with audio makes the whole thing much clearer.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 10:48 PM on June 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by AmbroseChapel at 10:48 PM on June 5, 2008 [1 favorite]
Viral promotion for Wanted, apparently.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:03 PM on June 10, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:03 PM on June 10, 2008 [2 favorites]
Huh. OK, all you "FAKE!" people were right. I doff my cap to you.
posted by languagehat at 3:09 PM on June 10, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 3:09 PM on June 10, 2008 [2 favorites]
In capitalist Russia, viral marketing goes berserk on YOU!
posted by Afroblanco at 2:56 PM on June 11, 2008
posted by Afroblanco at 2:56 PM on June 11, 2008
Realizing how often the average smart-ass mefite admits when they are wrong? Well. I won't hold my breath, however.
posted by tkchrist at 4:09 PM on June 11, 2008
posted by tkchrist at 4:09 PM on June 11, 2008
So, in other words, only dumbasses apologise?
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:17 PM on June 11, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:17 PM on June 11, 2008 [1 favorite]
So, in other words, only dumbasses apologise?
That would seem to be the prevailing attitude here.
posted by tkchrist at 6:14 PM on June 11, 2008
Case ANS point.
posted by tkchrist at 9:35 AM on June 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by tkchrist at 9:35 AM on June 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
Actually I forgot about dhammond's response to me earlier. So I was rather puzzled to see such an hostile post.
Just to see it again:
from dhammond:
If you don't mind me saying, I am a certified viral video expert, and I am pretty sure that trumps your ability to watch fights or whatever it is you do when you're not smugly posting about something you don't really know that much about. I've seen literally HUNDREDS of these things and, previous reservations aside, I am now convinced that it's real.
If was was wrong I would have admitted it. No matter how adamant I was about being right. And if I was as directly rude to you as you are to me right now and was wrong I would apologize.
And it's not smug it called GLOATING.
Gloating I'm sure it's a much worse character trait than smugness. It's almost as bad as being contrary out of pure spite. Anyway. As Napoleon said "smug is what wrong people call right people." NO wait. I said that. And I am so high off my stunning victory right now I can barely feel anything else. Matt Haughy and and the other mods just sent me a trophy and a gift certificate. You didn't know about that? Sure. I get them ALLOT. As well as a free rides on the Mefi corporate jet to the secret gathering of People Who Are Right. Yes. I was right. Righty-right-right. Mmmmmm. Feels good. Hows it feel to be so incredibly wrong out there you people? Must feel .... well it must feel like dhammond is feeling. Bitter. Enraged. Small. I guess. I wouldn't know. Gloating is the best feeling in the WORLD!
posted by tkchrist at 9:58 AM on June 12, 2008
Just to see it again:
from dhammond:
If you don't mind me saying, I am a certified viral video expert, and I am pretty sure that trumps your ability to watch fights or whatever it is you do when you're not smugly posting about something you don't really know that much about. I've seen literally HUNDREDS of these things and, previous reservations aside, I am now convinced that it's real.
If was was wrong I would have admitted it. No matter how adamant I was about being right. And if I was as directly rude to you as you are to me right now and was wrong I would apologize.
And it's not smug it called GLOATING.
Gloating I'm sure it's a much worse character trait than smugness. It's almost as bad as being contrary out of pure spite. Anyway. As Napoleon said "smug is what wrong people call right people." NO wait. I said that. And I am so high off my stunning victory right now I can barely feel anything else. Matt Haughy and and the other mods just sent me a trophy and a gift certificate. You didn't know about that? Sure. I get them ALLOT. As well as a free rides on the Mefi corporate jet to the secret gathering of People Who Are Right. Yes. I was right. Righty-right-right. Mmmmmm. Feels good. Hows it feel to be so incredibly wrong out there you people? Must feel .... well it must feel like dhammond is feeling. Bitter. Enraged. Small. I guess. I wouldn't know. Gloating is the best feeling in the WORLD!
posted by tkchrist at 9:58 AM on June 12, 2008
Way to gloat, languagehat. No Really. As the resident expert in smugness and gloating you could do better. I barely felt that one. Way too subtle.
I mean you should have gone for it with a bit more flamboyant end-zone celebration. Spiked that correction.
May I suggest a phrase such as "You mean...IN ... YOUR FACE TK!" Something like that.
If you want to get rides on the MeFi corporate jet you really have to poster-ize your victories so the plebes will notice. You'll never get called a smug asswipe this way.
But. Yeah. I meant "in."
posted by tkchrist at 10:29 AM on June 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
I mean you should have gone for it with a bit more flamboyant end-zone celebration. Spiked that correction.
May I suggest a phrase such as "You mean...IN ... YOUR FACE TK!" Something like that.
If you want to get rides on the MeFi corporate jet you really have to poster-ize your victories so the plebes will notice. You'll never get called a smug asswipe this way.
But. Yeah. I meant "in."
posted by tkchrist at 10:29 AM on June 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
I knew what you meant, tkchrist. Here. Have a cookie.
posted by Dave Faris at 10:34 AM on June 12, 2008
posted by Dave Faris at 10:34 AM on June 12, 2008
Here. Have a cookie.
Tastes like victory! However, I will only take cookies from certified cookie experts from here on out.
posted by tkchrist at 10:41 AM on June 12, 2008
Tastes like victory! However, I will only take cookies from certified cookie experts from here on out.
posted by tkchrist at 10:41 AM on June 12, 2008
I'll have whatever tkchrist has been having. It looks like fun, though scary for anyone within arms length.
posted by five fresh fish at 4:56 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by five fresh fish at 4:56 PM on June 12, 2008
I apologize, tkchrist, for tentatively voting real.
Phew! That's been on my chest for weeks.
posted by mrgrimm at 10:18 AM on June 27, 2008
Phew! That's been on my chest for weeks.
posted by mrgrimm at 10:18 AM on June 27, 2008
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posted by vito90 at 5:25 PM on June 3, 2008 [1 favorite]