Motorbike culture

[bschuess]

Everyone who visits Vietnam marvels at how the hoards of motorbikes succeed at navigating complex situations such as traffic circles with so few accidents. And every visitor must decide between standing on the street corner for the rest of their life or stepping from the curve and wading into traffic.

One American computer scientist has spent his career developing computerized models of group behavior that explain how ants and bees and birds can follow simple rules of individual behavior that result in organized group behavior that is really quite beautiful and elegant. He thought that such behavioral models would apply very well to Vietnamese motorbike drivers. The attached article describes his experience in Hanoi. If it wasn't so sad it would be funny.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/12/17/caught_in_the_swarm?

[maccavn]

I had read this unfortunate new in some Vietnamese newspapers last year.
What a pity!
Currently, traffic accidents seem to be nightmares in Viet Nam :(
Although the government has been improving by many ways to restrict it, our country still has many things to do!

Anyway, I'm very interested in prof. Papert's research, and his theories also.
I haven't heard any more updates about his condition. Hope that he will get well soon.

[Khatores]

That's pretty interesting...and a little scary, considering the state of Vietnamese traffic. :shock:

[bschuess]

Currently, traffic accidents seem to be nightmares in Viet Nam :(
Although the government has been improving by many ways to restrict it, our country still has many things to do!



Mac, I have a thought. 1 traffic light and 1 traffic policeman in TP HCM would at least double traffic safety :twisted: :lol:

I was amused by going on Youtube.com and searching on Saigon and Hanoi. 80% of the videos are simply of traffic :!:

Forgive my good natured kidding, but if traffic was so anarchic in the U.S. there would be big problems. We have a phenomenon called "road rage :x ", which refers to people getting angry when they feel they have been disrespected in traffic. It often results in fist fights or even assaults with guns and other deadly weapons. The relatively peaceful temperament and lack of firearms in VN is a real benefit.

[maccavn]

Mac, I have a thought. 1 traffic light and 1 traffic policeman in TP HCM would at least double traffic safety :twisted: :lol:


Yeah, you're absolutely right :wink:


Forgive my good natured kidding, but if traffic was so anarchic in the U.S. there would be big problems. We have a phenomenon called "road rage :x ", which refers to people getting angry when they feel they have been disrespected in traffic. It often results in fist fights or even assaults with guns and other deadly weapons. The relatively peaceful temperament and lack of firearms in VN is a real benefit.

Fortunately, traffic in US is not so bad as this one in Viet Nam 8)
Haha, you're really natured kidding, Bob :D
BTW, what do you think about the right to have your own guns in US?

[bschuess]

Maccavn

I don't like all the guns on the streets in the U.S. at all. It makes it too easy for small problems (like traffic disputes) turn into big problems (like killing). That said, I must admit that I have never seen a gun or a shooting personally, but I am still careful who I argue with in traffic :wink: .

Bob

[bschuess]

I had read this unfortunate new in some Vietnamese newspapers last year.
What a pity!
Currently, traffic accidents seem to be nightmares in Viet Nam :(
Although the government has been improving by many ways to restrict it, our country still has many things to do!

Anyway, I'm very interested in prof. Papert's research, and his theories also.
I haven't heard any more updates about his condition. Hope that he will get well soon.

Mac,

I inquired about Papert's health to my niece whose friend in Hanoi wrote the article about the accident. Here is his response:

As it happens, I had a long cocktail party conversation with the head of the French Hospital last Thursday, and he says Papert has regained consciousness, has been released, and is back with his family in Maine, undergoing rehabilitation. So - happy ending, more or less! For the French Hospital too, which feels pretty good about having saved him. He apparently needed two operations by a neurosurgeon here.

I don't know if this has cooled his interest in the topic of computer modeling of Hanoi traffic, but it seems to be relatively good news, especially for a man of his age.

Bob

[maccavn]

Maccavn

I don't like all the guns on the streets in the U.S. at all. It makes it too easy for small problems (like traffic disputes) turn into big problems (like killing). That said, I must admit that I have never seen a gun or a shooting personally, but I am still careful who I argue with in traffic :wink: .

Bob
Yeah, I guess most of Americans don't want to use gun at all :wink:

[maccavn]

Mac,

I inquired about Papert's health to my niece whose friend in Hanoi wrote the article about the accident. Here is his response:

As it happens, I had a long cocktail party conversation with the head of the French Hospital last Thursday, and he says Papert has regained consciousness, has been released, and is back with his family in Maine, undergoing rehabilitation. So - happy ending, more or less! For the French Hospital too, which feels pretty good about having saved him. He apparently needed two operations by a neurosurgeon here.

I don't know if this has cooled his interest in the topic of computer modeling of Hanoi traffic, but it seems to be relatively good news, especially for a man of his age.

Bob
Thank you!
I'm very glad to know these good news. Hope that he will get well soon