Audacity . . .

[AKPilot]

RangerStL hasn't posted it yet, but I've got to tell you what happened. I don't know why, but there's times I just loose confidence in human nature. Maybe my expectations are too high.

Yesterday, Saturday, we were out launching under nearly perfect conditions. RangerStL had a rocket of his land on a side-road in our local park. As he was going to recover it, a teenager came by in his vehicle and literally ran completely over Ranger's rocket - completely and utterly crushing it.

I can be lead to believe that maybe the kid didn't see it on the road, although I find it a bit difficult considering the chute was out and it's pretty apparent when something's in the road. Anyhow, when Ranger brought it to the kids' attention that he ran over and ruined a rocket (no, it's far from salvagable).

The kids stated, "My bad." Not "I'm sorry". No apology, no trying to make amends, nothing . . . What's up with people?

 

[MysticalRockets]

Take the plate number, track it down, and send them a bill for the rocket, including the labor at 35 bucks an hour. If they don't pay it, ding their credit for not paying the bill.

 

[AKPilot]

ding their credit for not paying the bill.

He was a teenager so I don't think this'd work.

 

[sj_h1]

I had an incident yesterday with a teenager crossing the street and purposly going extra slow. I mean it took almost 1 1/2 min. to cross a 2 lane street and then daring me to do something. I just don't get it.

 

[Pantherjon]

It is a sorry state..I see it quite often in my day to day work experiences/encounters with people from time to time. Seems like more and more people are getting the 'spit in your eye' attitude around strangers..Been seeing this attitude shift for the last few years..Case in point was about 2 years ago I had gotten a bite to eat, as I was going back to my truck(semi) I noticed a truck where the driver had left the cap off of his passenger side fuel tank. I pointed it out to him , and his reaction was 'look at all the %&^#ing fuel I wasted! Now my tank is dirty, my truck is dirty..blah,blah,blah with the 'F" bomb liberally dispersed..Not so much as a thank you..Made me think I should have just ignored it and LET him waste even more fuel having it sucked out of his tank and sprayed on his truck...Just made me shake my head..Go figure..

 

[stantonjtroy]

The problem is one of perspective. Namely many kids have the wrong one. Our society has handed these kids a bill of goods by puting in place a system centered around building their "Self Esteme". The problem is all that's been done is to make this generation self centered, more than ever. These kids seem to think the world owes them something, that they have a right to all they want. We have not done any kind of service to this generation. When I was young I was tought that you esteme yourself by esteming others. Not so now. I do what I can with my kids but I see how thier peers act and wonder what chance we have for a productive future.
To any kids reading this for whom it applies, get over yourselves and recognize that you're a small part of the whole. Any future employer you have does NOT give a harry rats fanny amout your self esteme. If you think you're worth it, prove yourself THEN expect favor.
To any parents to whom this applies. Teach your children well how to be a productive part of society. Teach them the difference between rights and privlidges, remember these are the people who will be picking your nursing home.
Here endith the rant.
Troy

 

[Bravo52]

Bottom line. It's our fault. We let them get away with it instead of making them responsible. We don't hold the parents accountable for rearing worthless (meaning non-productive) individuals. No one questions the "system" for obliterating anyone who puts the blame squarely where it belongs............

Until we vote out the nut-jobs in positions of authority who make policy and laws.......... it's our fault.

Oh yes, I'm a cynic.......

 

[Papa Elf]

I made a trip to the store yesterday, and this thought came to my mind during the trip. One example, I was backing out of my parking space and I cant see what's coming because there is a bigger vehical on the side of me, so I slowly back up out of the space to give uncoming traffic in the lot plenty of time to notice me and stop. I pull my car far enough out that I can see whats coming, and sure enough someone was coming, flying through the parking lot, no sign of stopping, and wizzed right by me even though most of my car was already out of my space. What would happen if I was not paying attention and continued backing up? I seen many people pull out without even looking.....

 

[MysticalRockets]

He was a teenager so I don't think this'd work.

Since he was over 16, because he was driving, it would absolutely work.

 

[powderburner]

What's up with people?

Let me get this straight---in this wonderful world of ours, you are holding your breath expecting some level of courtesy, freely and cheerfully given from one person to another?

IMHO, you are seeing the results of a selfish society. These kids (and some adults, for that matter) enjoy the only "power" that they have by making your life miserable in some way, and getting a rise out of you. These kids are the too-lazy-to-study-in-school, too-lazy-to-get-their-own-job (when mom and dad hand out money to them), too-arrogant to even recognize that they are NOT self-entitled to anything. They are doomed to a life of welfare and handouts and most don't even know it yet.

Heck, some of 'em believe that they are entitled to break into your home and take your things. They sincerely believe that because you studied, worked, and earned, that you OWE it to them to let them steal. They think that if they need to shoot you to get your wallet, that's OK too. And I do mean that they believe it. How are you going to correct that one?

Used to be that society could somehow tolerate a small percentage of this type, but that now this behavior is somehow "fashionable" (I still haven't figured out how it ever became cool in school to act stupid) the percentage is growing fast. Their idea of what behavior is OK is completely foreign to the rest of us old farts. They think it's funny to do things that we were brought up to avoid.

And you aren't going to change it. Remember, this is the society that has embraced the "gangsta" mentality and elevated (c)rap to a level the same as real music. Through rap, our society has effectively accepted drug dealing, cop shooting, and woman beating (and other less polite forms of abuse) as cool, good, and admirable. Go figure.

The best you can do is try to stay completely away from the little s**ts and not put yourself into situations where you boil over. They aren't worth it.

 

[RangerStl]

It was interesting, to say the least. It did land right in the wheel-track area of the street... He was driving a jacked-up Jeep and wearing a baseball uniform.

I'm assuming that he was distracted looking at the baseball field and not watching where he was going. It was unpainted, so I can assume it kinda looked like a stick or something.

I'm looking at the wole thing and marvelling at my bad luck with rocket prototypes. This is the second copy of this experimental design that has met an untimely demise. The first is in a tree, this one got squished. :confused2:

Oh, well. When the kits get released mid-June I'll suggest you can run over it with your car for an added aerodynamic benefit. :roll:

 

[n5wd]

...The kids stated, "My bad." Not "I'm sorry". No apology, no trying to make amends, nothing . . . What's up with people?

Actually, that was an admission that they realize they did something wrong, and it was their way of saying "sorry". Language, manners, and courtesy have changed over the years.

 

[Viperfixr]

I found a cell phone on the side of the road (I bicycle in to work occasionally), and after looking at the contacts and messaging looking for clues on whose phone it was, I am not sure I want to meet this person! Every message/text was mostly profanity, mostly focused on which 'Ho' they'd 'nailed' that day. I am in the military, and I am used to everything that goes with it. This was on an entirely different level. :y:

I'll probably just drop it off at Alltel and be done with it...

 

[mjennings]

As being an under thirty voice, I can't refute much of what has been stated, most does have truth in it, even I go "What!?!?" occasionally.

However not all teenagers are like this, I helped in Youth Ministry for a number of years, and we saw all kinds of kids from all kinds of backgrounds, and yes there is a sense of entitlement out there, a sense of it's easier to shut up look dumb and not draw attention to myself by doing well or caring, but there are lots of kids who despite appearance would turn in a lost wallet or try to get it back to you with out steeling the cash in it, or help someone across the street, etc. So don't give up hope!

We all know the 1 screw up cost 10 attaboys rule, it's easy to miss the good when we see so much negative.

Sorry bout the loss of the prototype Ranger

 

[Chrisn]

The kids stated, "My bad." Not "I'm sorry". No apology, no trying to make amends, nothing . . . What's up with people?

sorry about the loss.... but possibly:
He didn't know its value sentimental or cost? or he didn't swerve because he didn't want to hit an oncoming vehicle or go off the road. how fast was he going? maybe he was distracted by you guys launching rockets? the parachute could easily of looked like some garbage blowing in the wind, or many other reasons. when you launch by roads you take the risk.

 

[MysticalRockets]

sorry about the loss.... but possibly:
He didn't know its value sentimental or cost? or he didn't swerve because he didn't want to hit an oncoming vehicle or go off the road. how fast was he going? maybe he was distracted by you guys launching rockets? the parachute could easily of looked like some garbage blowing in the wind, or many other reasons. when you launch by roads you take the risk.

More like he didn't care. He got a laugh out of it.

I had one land in the road once. It landed in the bicycle lane. On the particular road, the bicycle lane was a full car lane width wide. And where it landed, it was right next to the curb. I watched it land. As I was walking towards it, the car that was oncoming swerved out of his lane, into the bike lane, and ran it over at 40 mph.

They think its funny to destroy something of someone else's, so they do it. And they know that no cop will ever stop them, because they're too busy for little things like that.

 

[JoeG]

I'm relatively new here and hope I'm not talking out of turn.

Perspective is everything. I hear an awful lot of "us and them" in this thread. I also hear about more than one rocket landing in the street/road.

As a rocketeer even I would say, "Why are these guys launching where their rockets will land in the road and then complaining when something happens to them?" What if one landed on a windshield blocking the view of the driver with the parachute and caused an accident. The driver would rightly be a little miffed at the rocketeer.

Yes, I have launched in less than ideal places. Let's face it, ideal launch sites are hard to find. Still, I don't think we can blame the people that are on the road for our mishaps.

I have been dealing with youth in different groups for several years. I seem to find most that are courteous and respectful. Certainly there are the bad apples.

"My bad", as someone already said was an acknowledgment of culpability.

I am sorry about the demise of the prototype too. Sometimes our youth can be a bit preoccupied. I'm glad I'm not trying to deal with growing up in this day and age. Too many distractions.

Just some observations.
Joe

 

[Peartree]

Excellent points Joe. Thank for weighing in.

I work with youth too (I wish there were more in our church) but there *are* a lot of good kids out there. Many of them are really struggling to find their way through the maze of immorality and confusing messages our culture throws in their path. Knowing right from wrong isn't as clear cut and easy as it used to be but a lot of kids are still working their tails off to find the right path. I give them a lot of credit. Please resist the temptation to paint with a broad brush.

Don't give up on our kids.

Ever.

 

[Davidtmp]

Part of the problem too these days is there is no punishment for doing wrong. Lots of times kids are protected from trivial laws. Parents aren't home to raise their children the "right" way. The shows kids watch on TV stink. Parents don't really know what their kids watch. All things that have led to kids with the attitudes they have. But there are more "good" kids than bad, you just don't notice them. Sorry for your loss though.

 

[Fred22]

Sorry to hear the rocket was wrecked. I had a similar experiance a few years ago but i know the kids dad. I spoke to the father and complained. he apologised and two days later the kid was at the door with a written apology. Sometimes as youth and adults we all foul up. I belive the biggest problem is in todays culture is aggression and noncaring are seen as the tools to get you what you want. IMO they are not.
Cheers
fred

 

[RangerStl]

Thank you all for your kind sentiments. She was a good ship, let me know that the design is stable up to a C6-5. AKPilot kept after me to give it a rip with an 18mm D13 reload. In hindsight, perhaps I should have because it would have landed comfortably in the baseball diamond away from pesky cars.

I can salvage the kevlar, elastic, nose cone and hook. But the rest is flat as the top of my head.

He had his own problems that day with a separated shock cord. The body tube came down to securely stake the soccer net down! :roll:

 

[stantonjtroy]

Actually, that was an admission that they realize they did something wrong, and it was their way of saying "sorry". Language, manners, and courtesy have changed over the years.

RULE 1 of effective communication: It is not the other persons responsibility to understand me, It is my responsibility to be understood.
RULE 2: See rule 1.

 

[mjennings]

Nice looking rocket Ranger to bad she got pancaked,
Troy, way to show that soccer net who's boss, that'll teach those silly soccer nets to stay out of rocket fields.

 

[RangerStl]

Yeah, I can cut the guys a little slack, though. Unpainted it kinda looks like a stick or something. A stick with a 12 inch blaze orange streamer attached to it... :cyclops:

C'est la vie

 

[Peartree]

Sorry about your loss. I like the look of it even though it has obviously looked better.

 

[RangerStl]

Like those cool 18V rechargeable building tools in the background there?

 

[n5wd]

RULE 1 of effective communication: It is not the other persons responsibility to understand me, It is my responsibility to be understood.
RULE 2: See rule 1.

Good luck with that! :bang::bang:

 

[AKPilot]

Troy, way to show that soccer net who's boss, that'll teach those silly soccer nets to stay out of rocket fields.

GOOOAAAL!!! LOL!

Believe it or not, that core sample is still good to go. The ground was so wet that the tube wasn't bent on impacts (except for a very small corner which can be ca'd. The most damage came from some paint popping off of the spirals.

 

[MarkII]

O tempora o mores!...

Also...

"I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words... When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly disrespectful and impatient of restraint."
​

-- attributed to Hesiod, circa 700 BC

​

MarkII, one-time classicist

 

[RangerStl]

In times like these it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these... :eyepop: