I’m going to do things a bit differently on this episode of Reblog Saturday. Normally I try to focus on a single WordPress post in the last week and reblog it with minimal content.
This week I have more to say.
I started things like I always do: With a specific story in mind in searched WordPress for a narrative that told the story in a way that resonated with me. In this case, the story was about a stolen laptop and how the owner had programmed the thing to phone home to help catch the thief. I love feel good stories like these!
Alas, this was one of those times the internet let me down, so here’s a link to a simple news report.
KGW.com – Man using tracking software to follow thief’s every move
While conducting this search, as often happens, I got swept away down a rabbit hole to a destination that was totally new and unexpected. Sometimes an inherent randomness in search can bring great rewards. In this case, I found a video about feminism in video games. What? You had me at hello. It turned out to be one of the most powerful things I’ve ever seen.
I love it when someone comes along and looks at everything we already know and draws mind-blowing conclusions. (It’s something I try to do myself from time to time.) I think this YouTube series of videos is a powerful example of this. I don’t think you necessarily have to have an interest in video games to imagine the dramatic impact of stuff like this on a society.
As usual, I’m late to the party. This has been out for six months and the series just hit 3,000,000 views. Congratulations!
In case you hadn’t heard, there was a really touching story this week about a Dairy Queen manager. I, of course, couldn’t help but notice who made it all possible, an asshole human being of almost unimaginable dimensions. I find myself thinking about her a lot.
NPR.org – Praise Pours In For Dairy Queen Manager Who Helped A Blind Man
Lastly, a story making news this week, involves the case of a Labor Day party and a vacation home earlier this year. The home happened to belong to former NFL player Brian Holloway. Approx. 300 teens broke into the home and had a “party” of legendary proportions. There was an estimated $20,000 damage, items stolen, and much alcohol consumed.
The culprits, of course, documented their own criminal activity and published it to social media. So trendy.
The victim, in an effort to hold the criminals accountable, started a website helpmesave300.com where he reposted the social media outbursts, identified those responsible, and offered to drop pressing charges in exchange to any who came forward, took responsibility for their actions, and helped with restoration of the home.
Only four of the kids stepped up.
Meanwhile, parents of the rest, angered by the victim’s actions, have threatened to sue him for outing their kids. (As if their own self-publishing didn’t do that already.) This is the topsy turvy world in which we live. These are the sort of parents who raise the type of kids who punch (and kill) volunteer soccer referees and get Easter Egg hunts canceled.
In the feel good story of the year, six of the miscreants who refused the man’s gracious offer of clemency have been arrested and more arrests are apparently on the way. Yes!
Whew. Okay. I think that’s all I have to say for now.
Shouts from the Abyss 
How did I miss you “re-Blogging” Saturdays? Kinda like “Throw back Thursdays” on Facebook? I’m so out of the loop! That’s what happens when you’re an “ACTER” LOL! I loved reading about the Dairy Queen manager — rarely do I believe people are genuine, but I believe he really was just doing the right thing to do the right thing…. such odd times we’re living in…. Happy Saturday!
LikeLike
It’s all part of my work reduction program. So far I’m not willing to let my daily posting streak of several years jump the rails. That’s how I came up with Reblog Saturdays (where I blog someone else’s post I like) and Regurgitation Sundays (where I reblog myself).
I believe the DQ manager is awesome and didn’t know his actions would go viral. I can’t stop thinking about the yin-yang aspect to the story. The good deed would have never had a chance to flourish without the actions of the evil and crass woman. I can’t imagine anyone acting the way she did in that situation. Charles Manson, maybe.
LikeLike
It’s surprising the parents were angered by the offer of clemency, considering they’ll be the ones forking over the bucks. The criminal charges won’t look too good on the college applications.
LikeLike
It’s part and parcel of parental redshirt culture where the children are the best thing the world has ever seen and can never do anything wrong. But I’m sure these kids will be the exception and learn how to overcome their parental deficits and get their heads on straight.
LikeLike