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#IStandWithAhmed

drlucyrogers

Just want to make a comment on here about the child who was handcuffed for bringing in his home electronics project to school in the USA:

 

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/09/16/they-thought-it-was-a-bomb-ahmed-mohamed-texas-9th-grader-arrested-after-bringing-a-home-built-clock-to-school/?tid=sm_tw)

 

This really isn't going to help encourage anyone to tinker with stuff and make things.

 

Please do all you can to help get tinkering into the mainstream.

 

The school said they ask students / staff to report anything that is or looks suspicious.

 

Please can we make tinkering with electronics look less suspcious and more mainstream?

 

Tweet and blog and share photos of your projects that look "suspicious" but actually do a useful job.

 

Thanks

 

Lucy

Parents

  • Couldn't agree more with everyone's sentiments here. I imagine there's a handful of police, teachers and even the mayor are kicking themselves really hard now, for choosing to take this kid's efforts out of context!

     

    There are indeed discussions going on internally about how element14 can support both Ahmed, and the campaign that's sprung up in support. One thing that everyone here agrees with is that we don't want to look like we're capitalising on anything (that'd be tasteless), so care understandably has to be taken.

     

    However, it seems to me that element14 can support the cause through its members, too. Just the fact that you guys have raised it here on the community, and are discussing the issue, is a show of support. I agree that we aren't here to discuss politics, but these are politics that affect engineering, so I say go for it! (Keep it civil and constructive, natch, but go for it nonetheless!).

     

    On that point, how do you guys feel this could be dealt with in a constructive manner? Something that'll build on any changes that come about as part of #IStandWithAhmed in schools and society. What can we do to bring the maker scene into schools, the public consciousness and into an air of healthy curiosity rather than suspicion?

  • in reply to spannerspencer

    Hi Spanner, I totally agree with you.

     

    it seems to me the best way to follow. Enrico

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