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Subscribe to RSSBrian Williams writes: The two discoveries happened concurrently, just after I boarded Amtrak from New York to Washington on Monday night: The blood drained from my head when I realized I'd left my iPod headphones in my office in New York—and then, in an instant, the man in front of me and the man behind me both embarked a string of cell phone calls, at loud volume, in the otherwise-quiet car. The following has to do with the era of over-sharing, the era of personal electronics...and subsequent death of discretion. While I could not believe what I heard, I was mostly stunned that either man would chose to conduct their business inside the close confines of a train car, and for everyone around them to hear. It was as if they were all alone, on a private train car—and yet I was not the only passenger who could hear every word spoken by both men for the entire trip.
I learned the full names of both men, and where they both live. The man in front of me was planning to sell his company today, to a well-known, immediately recognizable media firm...which he named several times. I learned his approximate compensation, and the fact that deferred compensation was a sticking point in the talks. I learned the names of all those who would likely be fired in the event of a merger, and I heard him disparage his own legal team. Here was a particularly rich quote: "You know how in our business you have big dogs...or you have puppies? I have...modified puppies. They're so naive." The man behind me was coming from a ski outing. I got to hear about his drive through the Hudson River Valley, and his time in the home of a loved one. The good news? He had inspected the shower valve as requested, and it wasn't broken. It was installed upside down! There's your problem! On a different call, he used the name of a prominent Member of Congress, and told a graphic and off-color story about the Congressman, who had missed a press conference because he was "tied up"—literally, with a flight attendant he'd met on a business trip. He then turned to Rahm Emanuel's efforts to get on the ballot in Chicago—speculating about the appointment history of the Supreme Court Justices in Illinois, and making what I can only hope and assume was an uncomfortable attempt at a joke: "Rahm's walking around with $10 million (in donations)—he could spend half of that, $5 million, to bribe the members of the court, and still have $5 million to spend on the campaign." That was a head-turner.
At several times during our journey, I made a kind of commiserating eye contact with my fellow travelers, one of whom was lucky enough to have remembered his headphones. Early on in the three-hour ride, the conductor asked the man in front of me (who was selling his company, apparently by cell-phone) to "keep it down, please." He lowered his volume to a conversational level, while still entirely audible. I considered changing seats but stayed put, just to witness it all. I have chosen to use no proper names or monetary amounts, though there were plenty to choose from. There was nothing extraordinary about the journey—and as loud-talkers go, these guys were just about average—but the ride was a lesson in volume, privacy and discretion.
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Won't it be great when everyone but the Privileged Political Progs are forced to ride trains? About a month ago y'all were doing a story on the debt and someone said the 20 somethings of tomorrow will end up living on the streets. They'll be the lucky ones, at least they'll be free. The others will be living in dormitories above their Statist issued jobs. Wonder if any of the dormitories will be named after people like Thomas Friedman? bahahahahaha
NYC Lawmaker Sen. Karl Kruger Proposes Ban On Talking And Walking. Hey maybe you can get them to add standing on a train and talking too. LMAO
Since I've been a customer of the New York City Transit System all my life, I sympathize with your leaving your headphones in your office, I'm usually plugged in by the time I get off the elevator so that will never happen. I still have that tiny Sony radio thingy that also received the TV stations as well, but since the TV signal switched over to digital it's just a radio player, I use that on the subway just to hear the static since the radio reception isn't that good just to drown out the people on the train, not to mention the occasional Mexican guitar trio or the breakdancers or the violin players and let's not forget the guy who also plays the violin with a tambourine attached to his foot.
All I can say is I'm glad I live in North Dakota where on my way to work I can listen to the radio station of my choice. Or I can open my window and listen to the birds, barking dogs, other cars and an occasional airplane. People here still consider it impolite to talk on cell phones where it may intrude on others.
Let me know when you want to hear the tales of NJ Transit buses that involved taser guns and pepper spray.
What's too sad is that our work (and perhaps other) lives are such heavy burdens that we must either
a. spend ALL our time on the phone ---or
b. need train/airplane travel for "rest."
What happened to living? A little music, a few friends, a simple meal with a little wine? Watching the stars? Lying around shooting the breeze with our spouse or kids? A good book and the time to devour it?
I'm with you Alyce, but for our puritanical American society, pleasure, including the simple ones you mentioned, are not ok just because they are pleasure. Too many people buy into the notion that living has to be hard or we're not worthy. Keep living.
I lived in Brussels for 1.5 yrs and took the train from Brussels to Amsterdam for business quite often. The conductors were great about asking people to leave the car when they were talking too loud. You were supposed to go into the connecting area between the two cars. I loved it because it made it impossible for me to attend meetings while on the train home.
I am seriously considering purchasing a cell phone jammer. I know they're illegal, but I would just once like to silence these amazingly self centered dolts.
Very similar experience for me minus the VIP content earlier this month on the Amtrak Pacific Starlight. I made the mistake of buying a business class ticket so I could get work done. The "executive" directly in back of me talked very loudly using repetitive profanity to describe his boss. After a half hour I couldn't take it anymore when he then proceeded to discuss women in the office who were "hotties." I was only able to move up one row, but it helped. In the process of moving I made sure to make brief eye contact with him to send a message. The expression on his face? "Oh, am I bothering you?"
Once, on a 12-person van jammed with passengers en route to a hotel after our flight was canceled, a young businesswoman talked for half the 30-minute journey very loudly, chortling frequently at her own comments. When she concluded the call, I couldn't help but comment: "You know, the government doesn't have to tap our phones to listen to our conversations; they just have to ride airport vans." That comment, a bit lame I admit, was greeted by applause from everyone else. The woman glared at me for the rest of the journey.
I think we do need to speak up. That's a great response. You said what everyone else was feeling.
I love that comment!! I really hope that she was one of the closet paranoid government is watching all the time types. I don't use my cell unless it is absolutely necessary and then move to a discreet location or if that is not possible I'll whisper only until it is possible to hang up. I am only in my early 30's but was raised by actual human beings not the pack wolves that seems to have raised so many of us today. Technology is a great thing but the decline of the most basic public manners have surely suffered. Thank you for not sinking to her level and at the same time getting your point across. Be sure to thank the people who raised you and to continue to be a good example for those that follow.
That is a great comment, and one that I will use. I have been both the victim and perpetrator of public cellphone use. This is a good reminder to remain the former, not the latter.
Before I retired I worked at a large retail store for five years. I was amazed at what people would talk about on their phones. I've heard enough about their jobs, spouses, children, financial dealings, sex lives, run ins with the law, and everything in between. I have finally chalked it up to the "people who are more important than anyone else" syndrome.
I get that all the time riding public transpo here Brian, but unfortunately I don't speak or understand Spanish.
Amtrak has a "quiet car," usually the second from the front. I've seen conductors kick people out for violating the "no cell phone and no loud conversations" rule. It's truly a blessed place to be on a long train trip. How I wish Metro North would have a quiet car. I keep several sets of headphones and foam earplugs in my purse, just in case I get stuck next to someone who thinks the whole world really REALLY wants to know his/her life story.
Sounds like they recognized you and wanted to get attention. Or - maybe they expected you to join in on the conversation. Wouldn't it have been funny if you did?
I was thinking the same thing, when they noticed a nationally known anchorman sitting right behind them, they just had to pump up the volume on their conversation.
Haha! I love it. ...Um, I mean, sorry you forgot your headphones.
I'm a suburban mom with a minivan, so I'm not subjected to issues with public transportation very often. My husband has some stories since he rides the bus to work downtown, but that's only 30 minutes of torture. I can't imagine having to put up with it much longer than that. At least you came away with some interesting stories.
I loved when you thanked Michelle Bachman for finding her way to your camera. I don't know if you were intentionally being funny, but it was perfect.
-Hopefully there are no weird typos once I hit send on this comment. I'm simultaneously trying to type on my phone while trying to keep my toddler from taking off her pants. Just a day in my life...
Well there you go. I slaughtered the spelling of Michele Bachmann's name.
I'm blaming the toddler.
Did you know that the camera she was looking at was the one CNN and the web feed had agreed on and CNN had a last minute snafu and had to bring in a 2nd camera? I know it's not as funny as the lies told on msnbc but it's true.
Sigh -- re-entering comment. Anyway, my friend's (DC) Metro story: a young woman was discussing her love life on Metro during evening rush, saying she had "been with" Steve for two years, but now had met Kevin and wondered if she should "be with" him. A man standing by the doors, as she exited said, "OK, all those in favor of Steve, raise your hands, all those in favor of Kevin, raise your hands!" That's one man that will never be accused of staircase wit. LOL
Welcome to the Tech World and my World Brian. People I will never know or see again know I watch nightly news with Brian Williams. Most of the information is done by the grapevine. Now I did like the Rahm matter when the two Judges had hoped by Rahm's name not being on the ballot would allow their candidate to win. Brian this is Chicago we're talking about and if your not a shark your gone. The State Supreme Court knew the deal and like most things Rahm would have been found correct after the election was over and to late. So easy today just google the details of the requirement for residence for the State and see if he qualified.
Wikileaks should have open the eyes of those who don't know about Tech. Did you see the faces of the older Law Makers when Obama was talking about the new Tech age, it was like they were deer in the head lights so confused. Senator Ben Nelson doesn't know what an ATM is and here's a shocker, many of the US Supreme Court Justices aren't using computers and know little about how Tech works. I'm no genius myself but I'm learning.
have a great day
Brian: Ah! The wonders of technology. Next time you take the train, don't forget your headphones. I don't understand why people have to talk in high volume when on a train, or on a street corner. I would have moved to another car if that incident would have happened to me; however if I were a journalist, as you are, in my mind it would be newsworthy of a article or column. I was curious about that upside down shower head, because that would make for a great story by itself. I would write a story about how important it is to know the proper way to install the shower head (ad absurdum), or I could write about congressional entanglements. These topics would surely arouse a reader's curiosity! Other conversations might be acceptable for publishing too. Do you see where I'm heading? Ah! The wonders of technology and humanity. (Ad Infinitum) I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast.
Brian: Ah, the wonders of technology! That conversation about the shower head would make for a great segment on Nightly News. Perhaps it could be a feature of "Making a Difference." Some plumbing expert could be showing viewers how to properly install the shower head. Viewers could then blog on MSNBC.com about how great it was to see that indeed, it does make a difference if you know what you're doing correctly. Another great story could be entitled, the ongoing saga of congressional entanglements. So, Brian, those overheard conversations may have paid off thanks to the wonders of technology. I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast back in Gotham City.
Brian, didn't they commit news there? I'm sure constituents would like to know about that member of Congress and the SEC would probably be interested in the insider trading implications of that acquisition. What gives them a right to privacy other than your discretion -- that I don't think is earned here.
Brian: That segment about the hawk was very poetic, so here goes: Wandering hawk, under the dome
Don't you realize this isn't your home.
They are coming to get you, don't you see.
You are easier to capture than a bee.
You stare at the floor, and say, please, please go away.
But wait, the starlings are here, hooray, hooray
You fly to the birds, right away
Oh no, you say, they are in a cage, so you try to contain your rage.
Too late, they've got me, but hey, I have great company.
They are taking me to a better place, where I can be free
Never again, under a dome I'll be.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening as always. Nice to see you back in New York! I am sorry you forgot your headphones and endured all the talking on the cellphones on the Amtrak train. You really heard alot of information within those conversations. Goodness Gracious!
Try to Keep Extra Safe and Warm during all the winter storms in the Northeast.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Janet Shamlian on the recovery of Gabrielle Giffords which seems to be happening quickly or as doctors state, "lightning speed" Truly encouraging to learn of her daily improving progress and that she is moving out of intensive care into the rehabilitation part of her recovery. A long road to recovery, but she has a great spirit and a remarkable woman. Thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
The report by Mr.Costello about the winter storm in the Northeast gave some incredible snowfall totals all over the Northeast States. So many record totals of snow and it just keeps coming. One hopes it stops soon since it does cause stress in dealing with it everyday. Keep Extra Warm and Safe!
On another note the report from John Ray from Egypt on the tense protests showed how the people in the region are really rising up against their leaders demanding changes. It was disturbing and frightening to see the chaos on the streets of Cairo between police forces and the protestors. The spreading of uprisings in the Middle East region show how the people of these areas are following in the ideas of what started in Tunisia. One hopes things calm soon.
Fascinating pictures from the hubble telescope!
The piece by Pete Williams about the hawk in the Library of Congress was humorous. The hawk finally caught and in being helped because of dehydration. The starlings truly helped in bringing the hawk down from the high perch of the dome. Good to know the bird is okay.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Be Well Everyone!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
Lisa
natalie portman has destroyed The Lord of Hosts' Prophecy. she has prayed that The Father's Will be removed from Jacob. i am Jacob and do not understand how she she can be so unwise! please pray for Jacob or there will be no Prophecy. read Isaiah in the Old Testament. i can not pray wthout The Father's Will. i can not do The Father's Will. i can not be Sin-Bearing without The Father's Will.
The Father has returned His Will to me. Please pray for natalie portman, she needs all the help she can get. Prophecy is written and it must come to pass, The Father is bound by it. natalie is a prophet and has angered The Father and me.