NYT: A Cellphone Is Lost, and a Saga Ensues. ⇒
21 June 2006, lunch time
The lost sidekick story comes to a close. (The public shaming site is still up.)
This is a post from my link log: If you click the title of this post you will be taken the web page I am discussing.
I can’t agree with the pettiness of this action. A similar action in England against someone who sold a bad e-bay computer resulted in the person who created the shame website to be sued and asked to shut down. (Ram you posted that too I think?)
Honestly, it’s just a vengence and belittling site. No one puts up sites with pictures of muggers or old ladies pirating CD’s in Chinatown.
It seems so petty for a little sidekick, you lost it, someone else has it, they don’t want to give it to you. Well dang, you didn’t luck out and you are actually being punished for your carelessness. Sure it’s great if someone gives things back, but to expect it, too much.
by Victor on June 21 2006, 5:31 pm #
I fully agree it’s petty, but he did tell them he was going to post that stuff (re:UPDATE #9) and they said go ahead.
And just because it was lost, doesn’t mean it’s finders keepers. If you know it’s lost, and you keep it, that’s still stealing…
I wonder how you feel about this then?
by haran on June 21 2006, 6:01 pm #
My last comment may have been a little ambiguous. I’m not saying internet vigilantism is justified.
But in this particular case, he did tell them he was going to post the information and they consented.
by haran on June 21 2006, 6:08 pm #
I’d have to agree with Haran. My sentiments here are the same as they were with the story of the lady that lost her camera. Keeping stolen goods is wrong.
by ramanan on June 21 2006, 6:09 pm #
both? (for me at least it’s both; morally one should make an effort to find the true owner)
Wikipedia legal perspective
—note: this is not legal advice—
by haran on June 21 2006, 6:20 pm #
I’m not saying that it’s right to keep stolen goods. However, I think the person who posted the site has made a mountain out of mole hill and is more interested in the attention and support of fellow surfers then in the actual value of the lost item, despite them pretending to REALLY care about it. Perhaps you really do care about $350, but unlikely that you would devote a section of your life to it if you weren’t gaining some other significant psychic benefit.
by Victor on June 22 2006, 8:58 pm #
It’s true, psychics can totally help you find stuff you’ve lost.
by rishi on June 23 2006, 12:21 pm #