Wealthy Mexicans Getting Chipped in Case of Abduction 306
Because the number of abductions in Mexico has jumped almost 40% in the past 3 years, the wealthy are getting subcutaneous transmitters so they can be tracked when kidnapped. Xega, the Mexican security firm which makes the chips, has seen a sales jump of 13% this year. The company injects the crystal-encased chip, the size and shape of a grain of rice, into clients' bodies with a syringe. The chip then sends radio signals to a larger device carried by the client with a global positioning system in it. A satellite can then be used to find the location of the missing person. Things must be a lot worse in Mexico than I thought.
Re:Nice when the victims make it easy to find them (Score:4, Interesting)
This technology was mentioned (Score:4, Interesting)
In a Brazilian movie called Manda Bala [imdb.com] . Abductions are a thriving industry in São Paulo, Brazil, and the movie focuses on the common practice of cutting off all or part of a hostage's ear (or finger) in order to expedite a ransom payment.
It is a generally thought provoking movie, with several memorable interviews, and at least some discussion of root causes of the problem (corruption in government among them, although the government of Luiz "Lula" da Silva [wikipedia.org] may be making progress against it, despite so far losing the battle to protect protected areas of Amazon wilderness [mongabay.com] - a problem also intimately connected with corruption).
However the movie is deeply marred by the inclusion of the anonymous São Paulo businessman, "Mr M" - a self-obsessed, vacuous nitwit, apparently American and perhaps a conveniently interviewable associate of the American filmmaker? whose ego was no doubt unduly boosted by his part in the film. Unfortunately, whatever this individual had to say about being "chipped" is unlikely to betray any insights: In a city known for violent carjackings, this guy's response was to bulletproof his ostentatious Porsche, instead of simply driving a less conspicuous car. I stopped caring about his fate very early into the film; one is tempted to say he need not worry about being kidnapped as nobody would miss him to pay a ransom.
A note from here in Mexico (Score:1, Interesting)
I had a student once tell me she doesn't want to go to the US because, as you know, there are hundreds of nutcase students with guns who kill classmates at random.
Kidnapping is the Mexican version of the same thing. It happens, at most, extremely rarely. You are far more likely, for example, to get hit by a car crossing the street or to die in an auto accident than to be kidnapped. However, it's the kind of news that makes for great headlines.
What doesn't make for great headlines is the fact that between 2002 and 2006, the Mexican government was able to reduce kidnappings and dismantle a lot of kidnapping rings. They went up again in 2007 and the beginning of 2008, but a recent high-profile case where a 14-year-old kid was murdered has raised outrage again, so I'm pretty sure kidnapping rates will go down again.
However, if you Americans (yes, I know, Slashdot is international) want to be afraid to go to Mexico because of the kidnappings, please stay out. The girls here love Americans, and I spent some time with a pretty girl 18 years younger than myself earlier this week, and will have coffee with a pretty girl 14 years younger than myself tomorrow.
Re:All aboard the clue train. (Score:2, Interesting)
Giving the citizens guns will not help unfortunately when most of these guys have AK-47 and other high power guns.
So if the criminals already have AK-47 and other weapons, the would-be abductees are better served fighting with stones and kitchen cutlery rather than revolvers? I'm undecided on any 'gun control' debates and haven't really thought about it too much - but if someone is trying to kidnap me and there is a good chance I'll be killed, I would certainly try hard to resist and kill my attacker. And I really would prefer to try with a gun instead of a handy pipe or something, esp. as guns tend to have much more range than knives and sticks.
Re:Please make it stop (Score:4, Interesting)
You know what I find stupid?
How everyone's worried about their kids being kidnapped, yet I was born in a country where human slavery (and the kidnappings that resulted in said human trade) was alive and well. Interestingly, I never got kidnapped and neither did any of my siblings, or cousins, or whatever else. Most of their deaths, of those few that died, were due to political executions by the government or "army service"... which was the same thing. Undesirables with undesirable views were always assigned to the unit that got the least training, shittiest gear, and front line service.
So my comment stands. I have valid experience with not being kidnapped in a country rampant with kidnappings and both organ and flesh trade. If you were born, and live in the USA or a "western" country. You do not have such experience. You've lived your whole life in a nice safe haven. It was made so not by government. (If that were true, then China and the former USSR would've been the safest places on the planet.) Safe places are made by the bad guys not knowing when they'll not be coming home. It is also made by people learning NOT to get into a car with or taking candy from strangers. This is increasingly so with so called rich people. Especially when said rich people actually can move their residence on a whim. But hey, better off as cattle than walking without fear.
So suit yourself. You pack your chip, I'll pack my Colt, good training, and good mindset. If we both run into bad guys, and can't escape, lets see which one of us is more likely to make it home. Me with my training and proper mindset, or you with your chip. Hope the badguys don't decide that they're kidnapping you to send you home in a salsa bag as a "message"... otherwise that chip won't really help you much if all they want to do is send a message. As for me, they either take me by complete surprise, and take a chance at having to neutralize a large "neighborhood" where we look out for each other, or they stay the hell away. So much simpler :) And for the record, I don't flaunt my wealth IRL, what little I have. Wealth is for my personal well being, not to flaunt in my neighbors' eyes. I help mine. This is the sticks out here man, if you get missing here, the only thing the chip will help, is to find the wild animal that got you, presuming it actually ate the part with the chip :)
Its you city slickers that need protection by others. Out here, you provide your own, or you don't go home. Most of the folks I met here, whether sticks living for life, or "reformed city slickers", few seem to need someone to "make them safe". We got 3 sheriff deputies, which are still 3 too many, but at least they're nice enough to not interfere with people's lives. Strangely, we don't need SWAT or hostage rescue. Why? Dunno, maybe a different culture out here than some of the places you've been around. AFAIC, I believe you lay your own bed. If you need to be chipped like property to be "safe" or to have your kids be safe, i just hope you don't complain when you're treated like property. Remember, property has no rights. When you take on its likeness, you become it. Hope its to your liking, and know I will be among those who respects your decision and never lifts a finger to help you.
Re:Hmmm, what could be the problem here? (Score:5, Interesting)
Heh, no, I was actually born here, and I love living in Mexico. Yeah, that tale about the mugging probably gives off a different impression, but considering it's pretty much the only time I've been mugged in almost 40 years, I think that's not a bad record. In fact, I think Guadalajara is a remarkably nice place to live, though I don't think I can explain the "attraction". I could hardly be objective about it anyway.
I've got American and British friends who live here (as you may know, there's a big expat community in Guadalajara, and in Ajijic near lake Chapala). I've never asked them about this, but I will now. What I can tell you now is, I don't think there's any particular objective advantage. I mean, neither luxury homes nor sex are cheap (I assume you meant good looking hookers there). Beer probably is, though, heh. Look, I'm not really up to date on the cost of living in the States. I guess Mexico may be a bit cheaper, but I'm sure it's not much cheaper.
I also don't think there are serious disadvantages: we've got all the utilities and public services you're used to in the US, from highways to sanitation to very decent health care. You'll find all the amenities too, say shops, restaurants, entertainment... in fact, most are the same chains and brands, only a bit cheaper perhaps. And of course we've got broadband everywhere, which is probably the most important thing for /. people.
So I guess it boils down to personal taste. Some people just like it. Maybe it's the locations, or the weather, or the slower pace. Perhaps healthier and tastier food? You know, we're famous for that shit. Or meeting friendly people with an interesting culture. Who knows?
Oh, and about that last item: there certainly are gringo haters. From your experience, it seems that's the kind of people you've been meeting here. I'm sorry 'bout that, fwiw. There's also gringo lovers, that goddamn malinchista pricks, I find them really annoying, haha. But I've got to say, I'm convinced that most of the population is just sensible people no worse or better than in the US or elsewhere, and you can probably make good friends if you give them (and yourself) a chance.
Say, if you ever find yourself stranded in Guadalajara, bored enough to overcome the natural distrust, drop me an email, I'll take you to a couple cantinas, and perhaps the lucha libre. And if you really behave yourself I may introduce you to some ladies. Maybe then you'll get the "vibe" or whatever it is. Or maybe you won't, but you'll probably have a laugh anyway. And no, I won't give you any shit about dumb gringo chumps, but I won't take any shit about smelly beaners either.
Cheers.