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Security and Privacy

Airlines in the US now require full-body scanners or "enhanced" pat-downs for people passing through security.

First of all, there are obviously major privacy concerns. Full-body scanners essentially take a naked image of the body. Pat-downs are, apparently, very invasive (to say the least). The defending premise for these new rules is the safety of Americans. Often cited is the would-be Christmas Day Bomber of last year, who hid an explosive in his underwear.

Problems: The CDB flew in from Amsterdam. They aren't getting full-body scanners. There have been no known terrorist attempts on flights from US airports to US airports. In addition, full-body scanners would only detect hidden weapons or suspicious objects on a person, like the CDB had.

So, from a terrorist point of view, weapons or explosives hidden on the person are out. Let's face it: carry-on items are not the obvious, very open pathway.

Disclaimer: I'm not a terrorist, I don't hate my country, etc. But think about it: taking drastic measures against a very specific threat (bombs in a passenger's underwear) does nothing more than open alternative means of smuggling.

So here's something to think about: why beef up a certain type of security that's almost guaranteed to be useless?

Not a Question

Have you ever asked a question with a goal of making someone tell you something?

Does this shirt make me look fat?

Let's hope you aren't a spouse. More specifically, let's hope you aren't the victim. You already know "the" answer, and you know it isn't a question, despite its intonation. Of course it doesn't make you look fat. You look great. This is called fishing for compliments, and there are many forms of it.

I just wish I was better looking.

Of course you're good looking! Why would you even say that?
This one is especially tricky; there is no constructive criticism to offer, as opposed to countering our initial fishing phrase with "I actually prefer this one on you..." To be fair, an ever-present option remains: "well, you do have a great personality!"

I propose a new order. If someone wearing an unflattering shirt asks you what you think, for god's sake, tell them. They could change their shirt, and not embarrass themselves (as much). If they are offended, take comfort in the fact that you are now a martyr, suffering their wrath to improve their perception among their peers. Try not to think about the fact that their perception by others is probably more of a concern to you than it is to them.

Try hard. Happy Monday!