Resulting panic not my fault, you feel me?

Interesting turn of events with this Arden Fair Mall fight on Wednesday.

Here’s what we have…

1) Dudes get into a fight.
2) Dudes knock down a sign.
3) Sign makes a loud noise.
4) Mall patrons hear loud noise and think it is a gun shot.
5) Mall patrons then turn to their smartphones and report said gun shot via social media.
6) Mall is then put on lock down until security and police could sort things out.
7) Suspect claims he was just punching a dude who walked past him like he had a problem.

Then we have one of the suspects speak on camera after being approached as he was released from jail (this did not please him, judging by the video).

“I feel bad,” Santiago said. “I send out all my apologies to all those families out there, you feel me? But it wasn’t my fault.”

Well, it sort of was, you feel me? Sure, people freaked out and assumed the worst, but it is understandable considering recent events. I do wonder if having such quick and easy access to information is a good thing.

Shoppers began texting family and friends and using social media to spread the word about what was happening, spreading incorrect information, Reed said. “It’s like the old kindergarten thing — when you tell one kindergartner and it goes around the room, by the time it gets to the other kindergartner it’s a totally different story than what it was,” he said.

I wonder if modern classrooms are not calling this game “Telephone” anymore. Maybe “Smartphone” or “Tweet this.” I could be on to something, but I digress.

What do you think? Would this have been a non-issue before smartphones and social media?

Author: RonTopofIt

RonTopofIt is a complex personality, as are most of the small breed of modern day renaissance millionaires. He wishes more people were like him and yet believes that it takes all kinds. You've met RonTopofIt many times, you just don't remember him. View all posts by RonTopofIt