Kinda interesting

by

From Boing Boing:

The last few minutes of this video from a biology class at Berkeley is of professor explaining the terrifying consequences that will soon befall the student that stole his laptop. Hell, I’m 500 miles away from Berkeley and I’m scared after watching this. (Forward to 48:50. It’s a RealPlayer file, unfortunately, so be prepared for it to stop playing at least three times while you’re watching it). Link (Thanks Kevin!)

Actually, although the student is in a bit of trouble, unless some pertinent facts are being omitted, the Professor is massively overstating his case. Years behind bars probably ain’t in this kid’s future (one problem is a lack of evidence as to the student’s mens rea — which, IIRC,* is an element of each criminal statute that is alleged to have been violated. Indeed, the Professor appears to concede that the student likely had no wrongful intent).  Even a civil judgment is questionable on at least some of the three claims the Professor lays out (you typically have to prove damages).  Still, interesting listening.

*Correction gladly accepted if I’ve misremembered.

10 thoughts on “Kinda interesting”

  1. Saw that yesterday (via the original). Fantastic times. Even as a legal novice, it was very clear to me early on that the professor was basically making things up as far as the likely outcomes, in order to make the perpetrator poop his pants with fear. Also, a lot of the techie stuff was garbage (Microsoft tracks your Windows license key only on installation, not every time you use the system). But still fun.
    Am I the only one that went back and actually listened to the lecture? Biology is cool.

  2. I love the update at Boing Boing
    “I trimmed out the actual educational part of the lecture and just left the ‘good part.’
    Any wonder why education is in the dumps?

  3. Am I the only one that went back and actually listened to the lecture? Biology is cool.
    I am right now. Nifty!

  4. A follow-up on this story from ABC news – apparently the thief didn’t fall for the bluff and the laptop is still at large…
    “The professor “exaggerated” — as Bob Sanders, a university spokesman, politely put today — about having contacted the agencies and some of the methods being employed to track and nab this pilferer. But the spokesman confirmed Rine is in fact a consultant to the NIH and the two biotech companies. … According to campus officials, the parties involved with the data aren’t too concerned because the data in the e-mail on that machine can’t be deciphered by most of us. … And while the professor would appreciate the laptop back, Rine has all but resigned himself to the reality that the laptop is gone.”

  7. Yes, I imagine that the Berkeley administrators discovered that the file was being spread all over the internet so they cropped the lecture to limit public exposure. Too bad someone has already made an mp3 and transcript of his threats!

  9. what a pretentious putz, anways, I’d suggest buying a Kensington cable, they’re pretty nifty, especially for people carrying state secrets around a wifi campus, lol

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