Study: Humans swerve to run over turtles

[sean miguel]

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University student Nathan Weaver just wanted to put together a project to help figure out the best way to assist turtles in crossing the road. But he also ended up with a peek into the dark souls of some human beings.

Weaver put realistic-looking rubber turtles, no bigger than a saucer, in the middle of a lane on a busy road near campus. Then he got out of the way and watched as over the next hour, seven drivers intentionally ran over the turtle, and several more appeared to try to hit the defenseless animal, but missed.

"It was a bit surprising. I've heard of people and from friends who knew people that ran over turtles. But to see it out here like this was a bit shocking," said Weaver, a 22-year-old senior in Clemson's School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences.

But to seasoned researchers, the targeting of turtles and other reptiles isn't surprising. The number of box turtles is on a slow decline, with one prominent reason being the riskiness of crossing the road because the trip takes several minutes.

And even in today's more enlightened, modern world, sometimes humans feel a need to prove they are the dominant species on this planet by taking a two-ton metal vehicle and squishing a defenseless animal under the tires, said Hal Herzog, a Western Carolina University psychology professor.

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/12/27/4507782/clemson-students-turtle-project.html#storylink=cpy

Small brains and small dicks. And I'm not talking about the turtles.

 

[ApolloBalboa]

I'd actually read the article before I saw the thread here. I think it's awful that people go out of their way to kill animals on the road, and I've seen it happen. I've never come across a turtle in the street myself, but with any other creature that I've come across, I always try to give it as wide a berth as possible.

This makes me think of the Seinfeld episode where George ends up running over some pigeons when they didn't move out of his way. "Miranda thinks I'm a butcher, but - it's not my fault, is it? Don't we have a deal with the pigeons?" "Of course we have a deal: They get out of the way of our cars; we look the other way on the statue defecations."

 

[Mr. Daystar]

People are fucked up. I can see hitting an animal, if it's that, or a choice between human life...but for shits and giggles?!?! That's just fucked up.

 

[Will E Worm]

There should be a law that would stop this.

1st offense large fine, community service, one year probation
2nd offense large fine and jail time. Two years probation once released.
3rd offense death penalty.

 

[JasonCook78]

Too many assholes, so few bullets.

 

[GodsEmbryo]

Too many assholes, so few bullets.

:goodpost:

People really disgust me sometimes

 

[JasonCook78]

I don't see a good reason to swerve to run over turtles, what is there to gain.

 

[STDiva]

Reminds me of Fahrenheit 451. People will be scum when given the Chance. It's human nature.

 

[JasonCook78]

Reminds me of Fahrenheit 451. People will be scum when given the Chance. It's human nature.

Ahhh Ray Bradbury...

 

[airmat]

Turtle Soup

Ingredients
1 1/2 sticks butter
2 1/2 pounds turtle meat, cut into medium dice*
Salt and freshly cracked pepper
2 medium onions, cut into medium dice
6 stalks celery, cut into medium dice
30 cloves garlic, minced
3 bell peppers, cut into medium dice
1 tablespoon dried thyme, ground
1 tablespoon dried oregano, ground
4 bay leaves
2 quarts veal stock
1 cup all-purpose flour
26 ounces dry sherry (750-ml bottle)
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 large lemons, juiced
3 cups peeled, chopped, and seeded tomatoes
10 ounces fresh spinach, stems removed, washed 3 times, and roughly chopped
6 medium hard-boiled eggs, chopped into large pieces


GOT TURTLES?

 

[JasonCook78]

GOT TURTLES?

YES I DO! MMM...I LOVE TURTLES!

 

[lurkingdirk]

Fuck those turtles. Fuck them, I say. Why the hell can't they cross at the corner? What gives them the right to cross wherever they please? Stupid, cocky bastards should play by the same rules as everyone else. If you see children crossing in the middle of the block, you swerve to hit them, don't you? Why should turtles be any different?

Fucking turtles.

 

[vodkazvictim]

Fuck those turtles. Fuck them, I say. Why the hell can't they cross at the corner? What gives them the right to cross wherever they please? Stupid, cocky bastards should play by the same rules as everyone else. If you see children crossing in the middle of the block, you swerve to hit them, don't you? Why should turtles be any different?

Fucking turtles.

Turtles are bastards.
I farted quite innocently earlier and now I have to tolerate one poking through...

 

[JasonCook78]

Fuck those turtles. Fuck them, I say. Why the hell can't they cross at the corner? What gives them the right to cross wherever they please? Stupid, cocky bastards should play by the same rules as everyone else. If you see children crossing in the middle of the block, you swerve to hit them, don't you? Why should turtles be any different?

Fucking turtles.

I cannot stop laughing!

 

[mikexmoran]

They probably crunch nicely under your tires.