Bostonist: MIT's Sodium Drop: Good Clean Fun or Just Plain Stupid? Discuss.

guest

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:35:03 -0500

Before you go too far overboard about how terrible it is to pollute the river, keep in mind that the byproducts of the chemical reaction are extremely benign, especially in the quantities we're talking about. Also, playing with exploding things is totally acceptable when done with adequate safety precautions. In this case, perhaps more precautions are needed, but there's no reason the event can't continue.

guest

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:03:20 -0500

Sensationalism? Please. I don't think people are reacting too strongly to this incident at all. The so-called brightest minds of our generation are dropping something that explodes into our city's river every year with the consent of not only MIT, but the city's police and fire fighters, as well? How is continued coverage of the incident, the public's interest in answers, and concern for a river many of us have worked hard to protect, "sensationalism"? People were hurt as a result of this tradition. Damage was done to the Charles River Cleanup Boat, which is out there doing what everyone says should be done, but very few actually do -- clean our river. (Taking care of your environment does not make you an "eco-nut," for god's sake.) As a leading educational institution, MIT has a responsibility to make it clear to their students and to the public that playing with exploding things is not acceptable -- and that goes double for the police and the fire fighters that condoned this annual event. Clearly, they did not have the situation "under control" this year. People who prize maintaining tradition over listening to logic and reponding sensibly are dangerous, stupid people.

guest

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:01:36 -0500

Playing up is a rather tame description. Borderline sensationalism is more like it. Granted this incident was unfortunate and those who organized it should be held responsible should they be found out(like any other incident which is the direct cause of someone's action), the eco-nuts are really taking this as some sort of personal insult, which they are only doing because every Boston news network is plastering this story all over the plac.e Thus is the sad state of modern society - let one mishap occur, no matter how long you have been in operation, and people emerge from the depths of the Charles for the sole purpose of cutting you down.