Is an MP3 player worth a life?
p2p news view / p2pnet: What’s an MP3 player worth? Is it worth stealing? Is it worth dying for? Is it worth murdering for one?
Two weeks ago, Belgian teen Joe Van Holsbeeck and a friend were innocently chatting at the Brussels Central Train Station when they were ambushed by at least two other youths, who demanded Joe’s MP3 player. When the 17-year-old refused, he was stabbed repeatedly and died.
CCTV cameras at the train station recorded the attack and the hunt for the killers was on. Earlier this week, one suspect was arrested in Belgium and is being held for questioning. Another was arrested in Poland yesterday.
Last weekend, the city of Brussels saw an 80,000-person strong silent demonstration in protest of the senseless killing, laying flowers at the station in Joe’s memory.
Robberies, muggings, and attacks for an MP3 player or mobile phone have become almost commonplace in large metropolitan cities, as well as suburbs and smaller towns, ever since the introduction of the iPod, with its extremely recognizable white casing and headphones.
I first heard of these muggings soon after the iPod was on the market. They seem to have been a regular occurrence on New York City subway trains since day one. Almost a day doesn’t go by when one hears of a student being attacked for not giving up a mobile phone or MP3 player to a bully or gang.
In all the news reports I’ve read and seen on TV, not one has identified the brand of MP3 player that Joe owned. My educated guess, based on past attacks reported in the news, is that it was an iPod. This gadget is the most sought-after digital player. It’s the one thugs want.
If it wasn’t an iPod – but especially if it was – what has Apple, the most notable name in MP3 players, done to stop people being mugged and attacked for their product? Have they lowered the price? NO! Have they changed the color to make it less conspicuous? NO! Have they changed the design to make it look more like any other portable player in order to deter thefts? NO!
What Apple has done, though, is to increase the price with every crappy new model they put on the market, without a care for the risks innocent and unsuspecting people take in using their product in public places, making it more desirable to thieves.
As far as I’ve been able to research, neither Apple nor any other manufacturer of MP3 players has spoken out against the murder of Joe Van Holsbeeck, or any other previous ‘MP3 attacks’. The same with Nokia, SONY, Motorola, and other mobile phone manufacturers. None of these companies have taken any responsibility for the consequences of their products’ usage. None have come out in support of the victims and their families.
And none have done a damn thing to stop it!
I’m not 100% sure Joe owned an i-Pod, so I’m not pointing my finger directly at Apple in this case. I’m pointing it at all the manufacturers of mobile phones and digital players. I’m pointing it at the parents who buy these over-priced toys and gadgets for their peer-pressured children. I’m pointing it at schools, teachers and education ministers and officials who allow students to bring these tempting toys into the classroom, with no regard for the childrens’ safety.
I recently bought my first MP3 player, a cheap no-name of the stick variety, because it was on sale at a reduced price. It looks like any other MP3 stick and I wouldn’t hesitate giving it up to a thief if it meant I’d walk away with my life.
Maybe that’s the wrong thing to do. Maybe Joe was right in refusing. But what did it cost him? And what has it cost society in general when these types of attacks continue day after day?
My feeling is that, for whatever reason Joe refused to hand it over – whether because it was an expensive toy, or because peer pressure and marketing tactics by Apple and others brainwashed him into thinking he wouldn’t be accepted by friends if he didn’t have one, or just the simple act of protecting his property, Joe lost his life, senselessly, all because of an MP3 player.
catflap – p2pnet
April 29th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
euronews is reporting that the extradition of the suspect arrested in poland is having complications. the judge in the ruling adjourned the case until the end of May because of discrepencies between the european arrest warrent and poland’s constitution.
the suspect is 17 years old (as was Joe).
April 29th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Man, they have to fry his ass.
April 29th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
No EU country has the death penalty.
One thought though is this; why be surprised that someone may be willing to kill for an mp3 player loaded with music when, if caught, you would do less time than if you downloaded said music off the internet?
April 29th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Before this, it was Air Jordan shoes.
Thats what happens when you agressively market an
expensive product to those that can least afford it.
April 29th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
this is what i mea. the companies have to take responsibility, or have it forced on them like tobacco companies.
on every ipod and other digital player and mobile phone should be a mandatory warning:
WARNING: Use of this product in public places can be dangerous to your health”.
April 29th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
It is not the fault of the marketing company any more than it is the fault of the person who owns the mp3 player. What should companies do?… invade your privacy by requiring details about your life style, residence, age, etc… to see if your a high risk target of someone elses malicous acts and refuse to sell an mp3 player to you accordingly. I can see people crying discrimination already.
As for lowering the price, these businesses are here to make profit not charities to give there products away for cheap. Sure it would be awesome if these businessess did drop their prices but thats a question of convenience not ethical or moral failuire. An item is only worth what a person is willing to pay for it. If people want prices to drop on mp3 player stop buying the freakin things. They are not a necesity of life, and as catnap pointed out you can buy a cheap off brand player.
Every murderer has a motive: revenge, gain, pleasure, etc… A murderer chooses wether they will kill somone or wether they will use violence at all. Do not shift the blame from the disturbed psych and immoral character of the person who chooses to utilize such tactics. There is NO excuse or reason for senseless violence, hence the word SENSELESS.
The people that did this should be executed (my belief) or given life imprisonment living off taxpayers money. Of course the latter makes society a victim. The families of people who have been killed have my deepest sympathy.
April 29th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
I agree, don’t blame the corporations and their corporate bought media…
BECAUSE YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE HOW STORIES LIKE THIS MAKE THEM PROUD OF THEIR MARKETING ACHIEVEMENT
I wish I was kidding, but it’s true.
April 29th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
Yeah, and then we should pass laws making it illegal to carry more than pocket change in public places.
The government has to take responsibility, people are being killed for the money the produce! When will schools ban money because it endangers their students?!
April 30th, 2006 at 12:29 am
It is not the marketing of mp3 players that causes people to kill for them. I have not killed anybody for one; I’m sure you haven’t either. Yet we all see the same advertisments and hype…
Again, Its not the marketing, its the twisted minds of people that are willing to kill for somthing they want and dont have. I do not own an mp3 player but I have NEVER thought about killing somebody for one. have you? I gather the marketing hasnt effected moral/ethical people to kill. Rather the existence of “somthing” desireable simply gives immoral/unethical people somthing to kill for, regardless of what that “somthing” is.
If their not killing for electronics its for jewelery, cash, drugs, etc…!
April 30th, 2006 at 3:14 am
Dude lost his life for being a wimp.
Always kill the other guy first.
Darwin for teh win.
April 30th, 2006 at 4:51 am
You truly are an idiot.
April 30th, 2006 at 5:04 am
Thats how people justify murder. Your sick.
April 30th, 2006 at 9:51 am
“…what has Apple, the most notable name in MP3 players, done to stop people being mugged and attacked for their product? … Have they changed the color to make it less conspicuous? NO! Have they changed the design to make it look more like any other portable player in order to deter thefts? NO!”
do you know the first thing about brand recognition? do you really think that some apple exec is gonna see this and think “catflap is really onto something here! what we need is to look like every other product. that’s sure to boost sales. in fact, hell, let’s just shape the new model like a chunky nugget of shit. no one’s gonna want to steal that.”
you are an idiot. stop writing.
April 30th, 2006 at 11:05 am
Thank you!
Someone had to say it. I was cringing through the whole article.
April 30th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
and thats what free speech on the net is all about
April 30th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Yeah, free speech…so that everyone is drowned out by proponents of idiocy on both sides. Go stick your ipod up your ass.
April 30th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
STFU nobody has 2 hide something in public places they have 2 fuckin defend themself damnn
April 30th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
EVERY BODY has fuckin defend
April 30th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
I was in the New York City and was confronted by 3 muggers. When instructed to hand over my jewelry, I pull out my wasp spay and gave the muggers a little surpise in the eyes. If I were allowed to excercise my Constitutional rights, I would have shot them instead. The right to protect one’s self from criminals is not something that belongs to the government and cartels only. It belongs to everyone. If I were on ajury and was decidinf the guilt of someone carrying an unlicenced hangun in NYC, I would vote not guilty even if the it was on video. I have the power to do so.
http://www.fija.org (You have the power and RIGHT to judge the law as well as the facts).
April 30th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
So what you’re saying is that MP3 player manufacturers should strive to make their units as homogenous, drab and unattractive as possible “in order to deter thefts”.
It’s not the fault of the MP3 players. Anything which is new, different or valuable is a target for exactly the same reasons. And always has been. From shoes to clothes to gold watches, jewellery and even money, difference has been the primary motivation for muggings and murders. Different and value. The MP3 player is nothing new here.
So while we’re at it why don’t we do the same for shoes? And cars? And apartments? Hell, we’ll just like in a grey slab-concrete world and all wear the same uniforms. Just like China under Mao… and all “just in case someone gets robbed”.
You remind me of those people who harp on endlessly about “safety”. The safest world is one in which we’re all confined to individual padded cells and not allowed contact with anyone or anything. But is that a real life? Is that a practical and enjoyable world? Not for me.
Out of the almost billion MP3 players sold, a couple of people get murdered. Did you know that every year 120 people die from their own toaster? Hell, you’re on the wrong target – you should start writing another rant about toaster-makers and their “evil corporate negligence”.
Try thinking about an issue before you climb on that high horse next time.
April 30th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Yep pretty much said what I though too. This article is very badly written! Why doesn’t every HD-TV manufactorer make LCD TVs 5metres deep so thieves can’t run off with them???
Geez
May 1st, 2006 at 8:02 am
people are selfish violent monkeys.
“None of these companies have taken any responsibility for the consequences of their products’ usage”
And why should they? Since when it is the manufacturers responsibilty to prevent joe smoe psychopath from pulling out a knife and using it on someone … jesus christ on a pogo stick. *shakes head* The whole argument is utter crap, “don’t make things that theives will find desirable and want to steal.” Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe the mugger shouldn’t have pulled a knife in the first place?
Put the blame where the blame belongs, with the welder of the knife.
/too dumbfounded to continue
May 1st, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Thought this was satire for a bit. Yeah, Apple is responsible. Way to go, American victim culture. And, FYI, Apple just LOWERED the price on iPods at the turn of the year.
Freakin idiot.
May 1st, 2006 at 6:54 pm
I think the point he was trying to make is Apple can change the color of the earbuds. I think that would be a good idea, they do not have to change the product itself but they could change the color of the earbuds or something. I am not saying this is apples fault in anyway but changing the color of the earbuds could be a deterrent to this type of thing.
May 2nd, 2006 at 1:37 am
This story is a joke right? You seriously think Apple should accept some kind of responsibility for someone who got mugged for their product? I mean come on, this is ridiculous. Can’t we just lay the blame where it seems to belong? The muggers, maybe their parents? At a stretch, perhaps society?
Blaming a company for having a successful product is just completely stupid, and lining Apple up with tobacco companies? I have to stop here before I spontaneously combust due to the overwhelming stupidity surrounding me.
May 2nd, 2006 at 1:39 am
Or you could just use other earbuds? Unless someone can show me that Apple sold these guys knives and instructions on how to identify someone carrying an iPod, I’ll just stay here trying to comprehend how anyone could possibly think Apple is in anyway responsible for this tragedy.
May 2nd, 2006 at 6:54 am
Is an MP3 player worth a life?
Is money ?
Maybe we should make sure everyone’s got some? It is the root of all evil, after all! Damn society for not taking responsibility!
Is jewellery ?
Maybe we should all wear non-descript stuff hidden under our clothes, or ban it altogether? Remember just say no to your wives and girlfriends when they demand them, its for their own good!
Is you car ?
Maybe we should all drive the same low end afforbable car?
… and where are the car manufacturers whenever there’s an accident? They should be held accountable!
Is your good looks?
All people should be banned from wearing make-up or dressing in a way that is alluring or attractive. The fashion industry should be halted in its tracks to ensure no further rapes occur.
But we shouldn’t point the finger at the manufacturers, or even those people that have made a concious decision to buy or own a luxury item.
No … I say the blame should sit squarely on the shoulders of:
the parents
for buying their kids any luxuries, and thus making them a target
the teachers
for permitting luxuries from being worn or carried in their presence, in spite of the fact that they do not have the authority to stop people from doing so ….
and
society for concocting the luxuries and placing such value on them to begin with!
What we should’t blame is the criminals. It’s not their fault at all, they just can’t help themselves?
May 2nd, 2006 at 6:55 am
Is an MP3 player worth a life?
Is money ?
Maybe we should make sure everyone’s got some? It is the root of all evil, after all! Damn society for not taking responsibility!
Is jewellery ?
Maybe we should all wear non-descript stuff hidden under our clothes, or ban it altogether? Remember just say no to your wives and girlfriends when they demand them, its for their own good!
Is you car ?
Maybe we should all drive the same low end afforbable car?
… and where are the car manufacturers whenever there’s an accident? They should be held accountable!
Is your good looks?
All people should be banned from wearing make-up or dressing in a way that is alluring or attractive. The fashion industry should be halted in its tracks to ensure no further rapes occur.
But we shouldn’t point the finger at the manufacturers, or even those people that have made a concious decision to buy or own a luxury item.
No … I say the blame should sit squarely on the shoulders of:
the parents
for buying their kids any luxuries, and thus making them a target
the teachers
for permitting luxuries from being worn or carried in their presence, in spite of the fact that they do not have the authority to stop people from doing so ….
and
society for concocting the luxuries and placing such value on them to begin with!
What we should’t blame is the criminals. It’s not their fault at all, they just can’t help themselves?
May 2nd, 2006 at 8:09 am
Honestly, the most worthless posted reply to a story I’ve read this year.
Stab yourself – do the world a favor.
May 2nd, 2006 at 3:50 pm
I totally disagree with what you are sayin’. And in that case many people will. It’s not the companies fault if they dare to be different than others. Everyone likes to make money. Tell me if you were handed over an iPOD for free won’t you accept it(don’t say no, cause you can’t). But then suddenly you were at other end of a gun and asked to give it back, what would you do. Of course hand it over. But then look at it this way-you got it for free but still when you were threatened you definitely would have thought twice. Then think ’bout someone who has paid for it. Man he put in his money to buy that thing. If you would think twice can’t he refuse to.
I accept the fact that mp3 players aren’t worth your life but don’t you have the right to defend yourself. As far as companies are concerned, they should be the last one to be blamed for such an outrage. People buy stuff because they want to and what suits them best. I own an mp3 player, not an ipod though because i didn’t feel the need to. I am an artist myself and i’m too much into music so i need to carry my music around with me. But i know sometimes it’s a risk as people usually look(rather stare) at you sometimes and most of the times it gets hard to go around like that. But I know that if i have bought it it might be dangerous to carry around sometimes and if you look at it the other way-don’t i have the right to use something in public which isn’t hurtin’ or damagin’ anything. Man thats neither mine not the companies fault. That’s a fault in the law & security system. They need improvement.
And with that even we have to be careful with the things we do. The world we are living in is filled with insomaniacs who just are willing to do anything for what they want, be it someones life. But we have to be protective in that case. There should be some severe measures that should be taken to stop these happennings around the world.
But most of all we should think that we are humans first people afterwards. We should understand and be as brothers and sisters(& boyfriends & girlfriends) and stop acting like animals(sometimes even animals might feel sorry for us). The day we understand each other and ourselves, I know this world won’t be anything less than heaven.
And in case of the murderer, we don’t know his side of story yet or what his life is like. Do we. It’s easy to blame someone for hurtin’ or killin’ someone but hardly do we know what that person has gone through in his life. There’s always a sad story behind these people. Some reservations they might have against people like the victim. Maybe the mp3 player was just a way to get to him. Maybe it’s not what he wanted. I might be soundin’ crazy at this one but its hard to explain somethin’ like the human nature. C’mon i’m not a phsycologist am i.
May 2nd, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Now you talk sense. This person is absolutely correct.
May 2nd, 2006 at 6:28 pm
When is the manufacturer responsible for someone stealing one of their products from one of their customers? They’re not.
By your logic, if I shoot and kill someone, the manufacturer of the gun should be held liable. If I go out and deliberately kill someone with my car, then the car manufacturer should be held liable.
You are a moron. Stop writing.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:31 am
You know, this is not the first time this has ever happened. People have been mugged and assaulted over immaterial items since the dawn of time. The motivation for these assaults may vary, but the end result is often the same. Why is should be considered differently just because it involved an MP3 player?
You should probably introspect as to what has _you_ so spooked about this particular case. Perhaps the fact that, as you say, you’ve been stared at on some occasions for having an MP3 player. Perhaps this hits a little close to home and you see yourself as a potential target? If you ask me this type of mugging is nothing new or newsworthy. My condolences go to the victim and his family, but had he been mugged for cash we wouldn’t be chatting about it?
“That’s a fault in the law & security system. They need improvement. ”
Why are you so desperately trying to assign fault in this case. And why always to third parties? Law enforcement can’t be everywhere. Yes better law enforcement is desireable, but ask yourself if it is feasable to have a cop on every street corner and is it worth the tax hike.
“But most of all we should think that we are humans first people afterwards. We should understand and be as brothers and sisters(& boyfriends & girlfriends) and stop acting like animals”
Yes, I’d like to live in a utopia as well where every body respects life, but it’s naive to think that the world could ever be like this.
“sometimes even animals might feel sorry for us”
You should watch a few nature documentaries. You’d understand how brutal and unforgiving the animal world is.
“It’s easy to blame someone for hurtin’ or killin’ someone but hardly do we know what that person has gone through in his life”
Frankly I don’t care what the person has gone through. If he commits a crime like this then he deserves whatever he gets. There is no excuse for this type of crime. None! Zero! Zip!
“C’mon i’m not a phsycologist am i.”
Clearly you’re not from some of the statements you’ve made. No offense friend, but I think you need to get in touch with the world around you.
May 4th, 2006 at 4:12 am
How can somebody try to pin the blame for a malicious attack and murder on the manufacturer of a gadget he just happened to have with him. These kind of murders happen everyday in countries around the world… and I can definately say that genocide is worth more to fight against than the design of a piece of electronic hardware. Or, to fight against, the response that electronics companys don’t make toward a murder that was over their products. Pretty simple to explain, the companys cover their backs with safety warnings. Once you step out of those bounds, put on the products by the manufacturer, all bets are off. How much do you want to bet, that this Joe kid had pirated music on this iPOD. That makes him at fault. Now, take the percentage of murders because of these gadgets then compare that to the overall murder rate. Pretty small number!! If you want to hide that you have an iPOD then change out the terrible earbuds and go buy a new skin for it. With the other stuff, just don’t make it known that you have them. The bluetooth headsets on cell phones is a good example. The phone can be hidden in a bag or pocket and you can still talk on the phone with no wires and no phone showing. I know if I was robbed for my cell phone, I would give it up. That’s what insurance on a phone is for. In the other cases, one would have to decide if this piece of technology is worth one’s life. Why lose the most technologically advanced thing you could ever own, which is your human body.
May 5th, 2006 at 1:36 am
dumbfuck
May 22nd, 2006 at 7:57 pm