A ticking time bomb
To the father who left his child in the hot car and any parent accustomed to this habit, please educate yourself on the dangers of leaving a child this way (“Drowning case that went viral ‘not new’”, Gulf News, August 13). The temperature in a parked vehicle in a hot climate, such as that in the Middle East, can rise to unbearable levels in a few short minutes. I am saying this out of personal experience. It is much higher than the temperature outside due to the greenhouse effect, or the heat being trapped inside the car, and I am sure that it can become dangerous very quickly. A lot of parents even knowingly leave their children in the vehicle to go shopping or pick something up that requires a few minutes while the child is asleep. Please do not do this.
From Mr Zeeshan
Toronto, Canada
Website comment
Let them do their job
This report shows the importance of the rescue teams and also how necessary it is for people to cooperate with them when they are doing their job. Sheer ignorance on the part of the public can sometimes result in the loss of somebody’s life and there is no use of realising the mistake at a later stage.
From Mr Ramani Rajan
Dubai
Website comment
Do not interfere
I have seen this story doing the rounds on social media. A lot of my friends have shared it. I think with the advent of social media channels, news reports are easier to share, but we as users have a responsibility. We should check the stories and facts before spreading them. This is negligent behaviour. Yes, the internet has allowed us easy access to data, but this is why we shouldn’t believe everything that we read online. As far as this story is concerned, the rescue teams have been assigned to do their task for a reason. They are experienced people and should be trusted. No one should interfere in the matter, just as the official rightfully says in the report. And if anyone does so, they should be penalised as the rescue teams are just trying to save a life.
From Ms Juweriah
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Need to know the difference
This is what bothers me about the internet. People need to be capable of discernment between the truth and propaganda. A lot of what is being written is fiction and its goal is pure provocation. It can poison the minds of its readers, especially if it’s a part of a trend that teaches hate towards others, religious groups or other communities. Not everyone is capable to realise that they are being manipulated. They see the truth or a different opinion as a violation and are ready to prosecute anyone that does not agree.
From Ms Lily Baron
UAE
Facebook comment
Remember those who we have lost
Recent events in Yemen have highlighted the fact that the UAE has been involved in defending true and proper values of Islam (“Another UAE aid ship for Yemen”, Gulf News, August 13). They are often in coalition trying to maintain regional stability as well as the freedom and way of life that all of us share and enjoy whilst living in the UAE. It is therefore very sad to learn of the deaths of brave UAE Armed Forces personnel in Yemen and others that have been killed in other recent conflicts. Their families should be proud of such heroes. We should never forget these people. I wish there could be a sort of Memorial Day to ensure that the sacrifices of those never leave our hearts and thoughts.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
Animals have a right to Earth
While a majority of people are staunch supporters of preventing a case like Cecil the lion’s from ever happening again, I know that a few with contrasting views exist (“Focus: Trophy hunting”, Gulf News, August 14). I am of the opinion that lion hunting, and all animal hunting, should be banned. They too have as much a right as us to thrive on this Earth. Many human beings seem to have a misconception that the Earth is ours and other animals need to be either useful to us or harmless to be permitted to co-exist with us. That is about as wrong as it gets. The human race is one of the many species that live on this planet and are neither superior nor inferior, maybe apart from intelligence levels. Every animal, regardless of species, size or habits, has a right to live their life, and killing them for pleasure certainly raises questions concerning the morality of this activity of trophy hunting or any hunting in general. The condition of these animals is like that of pawns in a game of chess. We need to understand that they are not the play things for a sadistic mind, they are beings with souls and families, and they have their own fears, loves, sources of happiness and their own right to live a life of tranquillity. Cecil’s murder was just one out of the many that go unnoticed. We must all stand up for these animals that cannot fend for themselves against our weapons, and in doing so, stop another animal from dying. We just need to do some soul searching and support the cause of animals who can’t speak for themselves.
From Ms Annada Rathore
Dubai
The effects of taking a selfie
According to a new study led by US-based Ohio State University Professor Jesse Fox, men who post a lot of selfies online tend to exhibit higher levels of narcissism and psychopathy (“Selfie craze squeezing sensitivity out of Indian teenagers”, Gulf News, August 13). So to all those people posting mirror selfies in the gym and those behind the wheel in their cars, you may have a problem. And it gets worse if men edit their own selfies. The study showed that men who edited their photos have higher levels of narcissism and self-objectification. The only good thing is that these men are not necessarily psychopaths, as Fox explains that psychopathy is related to impulsivity. Impulsive people, it’s suggested, wouldn’t bother waiting to edit their photos. My only question is, do Instagram filters count as editing? Because I’m obsessed with them! While the study is over, Fox isn’t done yet. She is looking into whether our online friends encourage us to post more selfies. I just hope at some point she looks into those ridiculous new selfie sticks.
From Ms Fe Pasculado Ramas
UAE
Facebook comment
When will we learn?
I believe that this selfie generation is a totally senseless one. I have read reports in international media about some people who have had an accident and even died while taking a selfie. But, there has still been no change and people continue to indulge in this practice. When will people learn?
From Mr Raj Kumar Jalan
UAE
Facebook comment
Around the world
This isn’t just a craze amongst Indian teenagers, but amongst most of the teenagers around the globe and adults, too.
From Ms Megha Agarwal Poddar
UAE
Facebook comment
An annoying trend
This trend of taking selfies has spread so fast and is visible everywhere. To be honest, I find it quite annoying.
From Ms Noor Vazeer
Dubai
Facebook comment
An enriching experience
Panama is worth a 17-hour journey (“Emirates to fly world’s longest route to Panama”, Gulf News, August 14)! I love that place. I think it will give the people from the Gulf region a great opportunity to see how people live in Central America. It could be a gateway for South America as well. Everything there is such a contrast to the way people live here. People can also learn Spanish easily. I visit Central America every year and it is so enriching.
From Ms Jalandita Verde
UAE
Facebook comment
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