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138 Comments
- Crass22, on 10/12/2007, -10/+48Sadder yet is I bet 95% of the people who went bonkers over this news story didn't even know who he was 2 weeks ago. It also shows how obsessed we are and how emotionally attached we can get to Celebrities we've never met, yet turn a cold shoulder to a starving bum in your city, or ignore all other suffering in the world.
- Pattyo13, on 05/14/2009, -9/+4411,000+ diggs should say something too
http://digg.com/hardware/James_Kim_s_Body_Found - Crass22, on 10/12/2007, -7/+37If anything positive comes from this story, hopefully it will be education. People need to know that unknown terrotry can be dangerous. Always let a friend or family member know where your going and which route your taking. If you dont know where you are dont take risks just to see some scenery, get to your destination and you'll be fine.
- socalrob, on 10/12/2007, -3/+29I don't mean to sound heartless and rude, but it was "good TV".
It was a story that you could get into, and was real. When I first heard he was missing I was shocked. I have watched him for years, even though I never knew him personally, I invited him into my house every day by watching TechTV and reading Cnet. He provided me with information and entertainment for years. And when I heard he was lost with his wife and 2 small children, well that hits you hard.
Checking Digg every day for updated news, and watching the stories on the evening news, you really got into what was going on. You were worried that something tragic had happened to the family. it was suspensful, as you waited for new news. Then one day you sign onto digg and see that the mother and 2 daughters were found. A smile comes to your face, a plot twist, they are alive, and you become happy. Hope comes back into your life and you get pulled deeper into the story.
James left on foot, now you are wondering how he is doing. You get even deeper into the story, how can he survive in the wilderness alone and most likely weak from the 7 days with little food and water. They find the clothes he left, he's alive somewhere you thought. Now you watch even closer. The next day they find more clothes and hope rises. And then, you sign onto digg, hoping for more information, something is found, but the headline is bad and your heart sinks. Tragedy struck. No one wants to see this happen to another human being. But the worst has happened. Another plot twist.
Poor James, he didn't make it. He went out as a hero to find help for his family rather than just waiting to die. He didn't know they were looking for him, he had no other choice. But in the end its still a happy ending. The family is healthy and safe, we may have lost someone that even if we never met him personally, he was still a friend. But he left this world as a hero and loved by his family, his friends, and everyone that submitted stories to digg and followed his story on the news. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+32James Kim became the geek community's "missing white girl". It's sad, but you have to admit that that's the truth.
- flashboy131, on 10/12/2007, -7/+22go ahead, what do you want a cookie?
- stealthboy, on 10/12/2007, -8/+21Yeah, I hate to be a cynic, but all the "he will be missed" messages were a bit pointless from people who didn't even know him.
- Phoenixfury, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14I wish I had time to actually read the article. However I caught at the end this comment...
"And they followed the story until its unhappy ending Wednesday."
As unhappy an ending as it were, we can still celebrate that his family was saved. This story may have had a sad ending, but I am thankful his children will grow up to know that their dad was a hero who put them ahead of himself. - skidknee, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13Could we have a moment of silence and not keep posting stories on him? Let us give it a break, and let him rest in peace.
. - 955701, on 10/12/2007, -8/+16Now, take that feeling and picture the same slimy misinterpretation applied to every story from iraq, every car chase, every gun shot victim....
I threw my TV out in May of 2001 when a guy in my home town, Panama City, got shot down the street from my parents house. The media got the event COMPLETELY wrong, down to the detail. I know because I watched it go down. After that I realized that EVERYTHING they say is possibly utter BS. There is nothing else in my life that I allow to be that unreliable and still play a part in it, so out it went. - Emancipator, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9The comment trolls (which I am now one lol) don't look at stories very closely. They should look at his motivation. He took a wrong turn... oops we all do that every now and again. His car got stuck before he could fix the error. He wait 9 DAYS for help like he should of. Then he realized his family might die. What would you do? Probably leave to try and safe the only thing in this world that means anything to you at that point. Your wife and child.
- bobsil1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"in 1995, teenagers found the remains of a man who had starved to death in his pickup after getting lost in the same general area the fall before. He was on a sales trip through Oregon when he decided to take the back roads from the coast through the Siskiyous to Grants Pass."
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1165379133269380.xml&coll=7&thispage=2 - wafflesomd, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11I don't think we need anymore Kim articles on digg TBH. Can't say why.
- GorillaButler, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7Agreed. This is is the exact sign Kim drove past: http://imagesocket.com/view/BEARCP225c.jpg That sign isn't there for decoration. Right about then I would have thought twice about taking my family though long un-patrolled back roads through the mountains with no cell phone coverage, much less camp in my car out there for the night. Especially during inhospitable weather.
It's a really unfortunate accident, hopefully outdoorsy urbanites will learn that the outdoors can f-ing treacherous. - BileFroth, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7I'm disgusted after reading those 'dugg down' comments.
It sure make me realize what we've come to as a society. - appetite, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Yea, why do you love Digg? Do you think this story would have had the traction it had on Digg without the volume of press it got in other news media?
I feel sorry for James Kim and his family. I was a little depressed by it yesterday. It was a completely contrived feeling of mourning that was basically forced upon me by news media exploitation for ratings and ultimately money. We've all been played.
If you only paid attention to news stories, you'd think only one missing persons case happens every 4 months or so. Quite the contrary. They pick and choose from among many. And when they pick them, they go after them aggressively to the point where you have a bunch of people saying nasty things about the death of a human being out of justified cynicism. - mv10, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5James will truly be missed and Im watching the Police Live Report from Central Point Oregon and it makes me think.. Why didnt James have a GPS? He relied on a map to find his way around, thinking he was 4 miles away instead of 15 from the nearest town. He was the Senior Editor of an organization dedicated on electronics.. It just baffles me how he would not buy a GPS system.
- Ioanais, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I cannot express adequately in words how the Kim's family tragedy has affected me. As I read each story, my emotions rode the roller coaster. When at last they found James - I broke down in tears.
The good that comes from this story - is the story itself - here is a family that explains what it means to be a family. Here was a mother who cared for her children. Here was a father desperately trying to save them. Here were two people who made the decision together as to what to do - expecting the best results.
As heartbreaking as it is to us - the family left behind (Kati and the girls; Parents and Grandparents; Fellow Workers and Employees) who knew James are now experiencing a loss that will be hard to recover from...
God Bless them all - begbegbegbegbeg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Thanks for posting that; it's been about 4 years since I last traveled that road, and couldn't remember the signage.
SAR personnel here in Oregon pull dead urbanites out of the woods all the time. Still, the lightweight yuppies never seem to learn that owning a pair of loafers purchased at REI does not make them wilderness experts.
The Kim's predicament was the result of a SERIES of bad decisions, starting with not being prepared for winter travel across 2 whole states. Stop referring to the guy as a "hero", and instead try to learn from his mistakes.
Not that the flatlanders ever will, but we can hope - right? - broscup, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6BileFroth,
Fortunately the dugg down comments are done so for a reason. Most people don't think like that. I can't imagine that those comments come from adults with jobs who are any benefit to society. I guarantee that none of them have children. - waynechng, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This story is going to end up as a "Movie of the Week".
- JAWS, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Quite sadly, I told my daughter (4) about why I was reading the story on the computer (as I've been following it since it started like many of you). I explained to her I was sad because I'd been watching this man [James] for years on TV. She then proceeded to tell my 2 year old minutes later that daddy was sad because he lost a friend. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a few tears on that one. I think being a parent myself only serves to deepen the sadness I feel for the family.
- bdbr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Sometimes heroic deeds get you killed. That's why they're called heroic, whereas sitting and typing on a computer is not. What James did was heroic in the end; he'd sat in the car for a week watching his family freeze and starve, and they didn't even know they if anyone was looking for them (because the rescue teams spent the whole week looking in the wrong place); in the end, his footprints led the rescuers to the car.
That doesn't mean they didn't make a lot of mistakes to get in that position in the first place. The lesson for all of us is to take winter weather very seriously. Stay on main roads, and don't take chances. Don't deviate from your planned route, unless it is to turn back. Don't be ashamed to turn back, unless you care about no one and no one cares about you - do it for them. Keep blankets in your car if you're going on a trip.
This may sound like a one-time thing to many people, but here in Oregon we hear stories of people getting lost in the backcountry far too frequently. I hope this whole situation raises awareness, and maybe saves a few lives. - broscup, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3lemur33,
Yes it's true that tragic things happen every day, even more tragic than what has happened here. However, a large portion of the digg community is familiar with James through techtv and cnet. So something like this to happen to a person we cared about, brings it closer to home for us, and of course we are going to digg the stories and follow them more closely. - oneiroi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Are you seriously that dedicated to being a jerk?
You earned it, congratulations. If you're in the area maybe you could make fun of my grandmother that passed away last month? I'll see if there's a blind person around that you can push. - nepawoods, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3http://victoriataftkpam.blogspot.com/
There were signs, and he was told. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7R.I.P James, I hope you're up there feeling better now knowing that your family is alive and well. It's funny how an ordinary family guy from SF generated more diggs than an international TV star like Steve Urwin. Your story touch us in a special way by the fact that what happened to you can happen to any other family. Your heroic act and tragic death reminds us of what really important, our family and loveones. I will enjoy this holiday season a little more now, knowing how luckly I am to have a loving family. God bless you and your family James.
- broscup, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I think that the techtv / cnet fans are the reason for the high numbers. They have such a loyal following, and the way the network operated, they felt more like friends than just on-air personalities. I think the fans of the techtv are responsible for the success of digg, podcasting, vidcasting, etc. Techtv's premature demise left us all wanting more, and lucky for us, they gave us what we needed.
So naturally, when we saw one of our "friends" in trouble, we showed our support the most comfortable way we knew how, the internet. Geeks Rule. James Kim will be missed by many. - gregdigg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4It should give you hope that enough people agreed with you that they were buried, though. Errr... like what broscup said (beat me to it).
- Ek00stik, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3*Irwin
- oneiroi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@Crass
I'm guessing you didn't read the article? It addressed that while the community they created from their work did exist, it was more of a feeling of sympathy and empathy for the situation. It was a scary and moving situation which drew people in, that's what the whole article is about.
Who cares if they didn't know him before? You're right, no one cares about the bum freezing on the street because people die all the time and as human beings we naturally don't get upset or change our lives when someone else dies. It is only when we have a feeling of connection with a human being do the ramifications of death really drive home. But I'm willing to say that this instance does in fact alter your perception of the world and the deaths of others.
So...please stop whining and use common sense. You don't seriously get upset every time you see the obits in the paper. - broscup, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That's okay Greg, I'm a Greg too, so it must be that old "great minds" thing happening.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I hate to break it to you but the media and Digg are a lot more alike than many here would like to admit.
Predecided what is important and make every effort to squelch out any point of view that doesn't match yours.
Look at all the comments on the Kim stories here on Digg. Sure all the insensitive, obviously trolling comments need to be dugg down but anyone who's opinion didn't match the majority's unquestioning sorrow and insatiable need for any article on the subject regardless of whether it had anything new to say, got dugg down out of sight.
The voting is supposed to get rid of the trolls, not get rid of opposing views. - Crass22, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4No its the people like who that are blowing this way up and upvoting every James Kim story. Let it rest, and hopefully the family can move on. Imagine if your loved one passed away and you kept seeing headlines started by people who never knew him, posting sappy comments about how much theyll miss him. Also perhaps the news anchor you saw actually knew James, or had real feelings for him. The false-feelingness of it all translates through talking heads just as easily as ***** commenters like you.
- 022A, on 10/12/2007, -6/+8"Sadder yet is I bet 95% of the people who went bonkers over this news story didn't even know who he was 2 weeks ago. It also shows how obsessed we are and how emotionally attached we can get to Celebrities we've never met, yet turn a cold shoulder to a starving bum in your city, or ignore all other suffering in the world."
Well...
Most people can't relate to people who are homeless or starving in some part of the world they never have and never will visit. They have no concept of it. However, many have a decide idea of what it's like to be out in the woods, cold in the snow or dealing with a broken down/stuck car.
This makes it a lot easier to become attached. I don't mean to excuse anything as I agree with your sentiment. I just think these stories are often something people just "fall" into rather than consciously valuing one life over others.
Imo, most people are blissfully oblivious to virtually everything going in the world beyond their own little sphere of TV shows, friends and family.
"James Kim became the geek community's "missing white girl". It's sad, but you have to admit that that's the truth."
Exactly. - badtz, on 10/12/2007, -9/+11It's sad the level of compassion displayed here on Digg. Makes me wonder how many of you truly are. If you don't like that there's a James Kim article on the frontpage, JUST LOOK PAST IT. Is it that hard to roll your dam eye balls past the title? This is primarily a TECH NEWS website, and he is shockingly, PART OF THE TECH COMMUNITY.
SOMEONE DIED for christ sakes!
If you don't like it, just STFU! It's truly that simple! - The_Dude, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Because you assume if the road shows up on an internet mapping service, it must be passable and maintained, and because you're on your way to a luxury resort by the ocean. If you stay over another night back in Grants Pass, or whatever, you won't get to the resort. And, furthermore, you're gonna have to go the way your going now the next day anyway.
I'm not saying it was responsible, I'm just suggesting the typical everyday logic of people trying to get to their destination come hell or high water. They were people of means, they damn well wanted to get to a luxury resort! - clarkkentnews, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Well, now we're trying to this never happen again.
http://digg.com/tech_news/Help_us_find_missing_persons - The_Dude, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2And it looks like that bent over worker has just installed the sign!
- dpierce, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4"I hope by the time you read this newsletter we've heard some good news about my colleague James Kim who is still missing. And if you haven't been following the story on James and his family, read up on it here. It's a surreal feeling to have someone so close to you go missing, and I can't imagine what his family and friends are going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family to stay strong and for James' safe return to us."
-CNet newsletter 12/5/2006 - nepawoods, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3A GPS wouldn't have told him that the road was impassable due to snowdrifts. That's why they had signs by the side of the road. He ignored them. Most people don't have a GPS, but most don't meet his fate.
- krakkinem, on 10/12/2007, -14/+15and it's almost a full time job burying comments like yours. Except we way outnumber you.
- urbanRock, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Hey Vandred,
Why don't you try netscape, I hear they like your kind over there. - TonyCubed, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Unfortunately, this is true.. Look at the film based on the World Trade Centre :(
- Jaq524, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Please.. no matter what you really think of him, this is no time to call him a moron. Just have some sympathy for the family, and keep any unproductive comments such as yours to yourself.
- trer, on 10/12/2007, -6/+7Look, if you don't care about this story, DON'T READ IT. You have the choice to ignore it. But coming on here and preaching about how unimportant James Kim was or how saturated Digg was with this story is going to get you nowhere. It's absolutely pointless. At least have respect for the family before you let loose your thoughts. James Kim never asked for this attention, yet millions cared.
Go away if you don't care. No one benefits from your asinine comments. - broscup, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You're missing my point all together. The story is about how msnbc.com had record page views for this story, and the comments on this post had people complaining about how many James Kim stories made it to the front page of digg.com (Under the Tech Industry News topic). People watching the tech industry news topic are familiar with technology, and familiar with James Kim. Therefore, if someone that you are aware of, or have been watching for years on TV, and Vidcasts, or listenting to on podcasts dies, it will peak your interest more than if it is someone you don't know or never heard of dies. This is not to take away from the other people that die every day. If you want to, you can post stories that you see about tragedies and death to digg (world news topic). Since James was big in the tech community, that is why there are so many posts here.
- boardo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I fail to see how you can't believe he is dead, but I feel we can all reassure you that he is. He has been in the media because the Internet culture is a lot stronger than some people give it credit for. Every personality had a huge following from TechTV, and he was highly respected among his peers. The media started seeing how much buzz this story obtained in a short period of time and made it one of the biggest stories in North America for over a week.
- ShrimpCrackers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Lets take action now to prevent this from happening again!
I've created a free survival guide wiki,in remembrance of James Kim, with the goal of creating a condensed, free 20 page printable emergency survival guide you could just throw into your glove compartment. Simple knowledge like what fauna is edible would have saved James Kim's life. He wouldn't have had to watch his kids go as hungry and may have been able to stay longer.
Thousands of Americans die of exposure every year. If this project saves a few lives, it would be worth it. Please help compile this guys. Its a worthy effort to help increase the chances of survival.
http://survivalguide.wetpaint.com - l4wl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yeah. What're their stats? I'm already decked out in tier 2 epics.
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