I'd start by thinking about what really inspires fear. One thing that scares people is the thought that they could be a victim of an attack.
With that in mind, I'd want to do something that everybody thinks might bedirected at them, even if the individual probability of harm is very low.Leavitt proceeds to suggest a number of different simple coordinated attacks designed to maximize terror and disruption across the nation.
This Leavitt is one deep thinker! He concludes
...I'm sure many readers have far better ideas. I would love to hear them.Most of his commenters are game enough and come up with very clever ideas. However, a few respectfully demur...
You have got be kidding me. Ideas for terrorists? Think you are being cute? Clever? You are an idiot. - Posted by Bob Carson
Thanks for the tip! I'll pass your idea along to the rest in my cell. Twit. - Posted by terrorist
Is this your first NYT Freakonomic? Better luck on the next one. - Posted by LJD!
7 comments:
"Page not found." Heh. So much for the courageous New York Times.
Oh crap. I had trouble pasting that link in...
Fixed!
Ah, so the NYT editors aren't the chickens I thought they were - they're just stupid.
What I find really offensive about Leavitt's article is his flippant, care-free tone. He's talking about terrorism as if it's fantasy football.
Flippant is the word all right.
I botched up the link and a few other things I think are fixed now, big hurry to get to a backyard party. I'll be glad when barbecue season is over!
I disagree. I think Leavitt is anything but flippant, and I also think that getting these ideas out into the public where they can be analyzed is a great idea. (I've expounded a little more over at my place.) :)
This was pretty much an unbelievable story!
Hope you're doing well!
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