A Visual Aid For The Hearing 'C**n', 'Phone', 'Punk' 'Cold' Impaired

 The inestimable Prof. Jacobson reprises the evolution of the CNN coverage of George Zimmerman's mumbled words on his famous 911 call.  Did he say "Effing c**ns?  "Effing cold"?  "Phones"?  "Punks"?  Oh, brother.

As to why we care, back in the day the left was giddy at the possibility that Zimmerman had been recorded uttering a racial epithet because it opened the door to a Federal hate crimes investigation.

As Bill Jacobson points out, CNN has scotched that strategy by bringing out a new expert every few days with yet another interpretation of Zimmerman's words. At this point not even Eric Holder could keep a straight face while announcing that FBI experts had authoritatively concluded that Zimmerman had said "effing c**ns".  Given the confusion created by the CNN audio experts, Mr. Holder would not diminish his (in)credibility if he reported that the FBI enhancement showed Zimmerman saying "Obama Twenty Twelve".

However, I differ vigorously with the Prof's headline, to wit, "CNN proves “beyond a reasonable doubt” why cases should not be tried in the media".

CNN has proved why judges and the state do not want cases tried in the media.  In an earlier day, the FBI experts would make their pronouncements, the rest of us would nod agreeably, and off to trial Zimmerman would go, if Eric Holder et al so decided.

With CNN's democratization of expertise we all know that any FBI assertion of a decisive result is absurd.  In the ongoing zero-sum struggle between prosecutors and defendants, this is a win for defendants.  And in the ongoing balancing act between The People and The Power, this is a win for the people.

Tough break for the left that this time around they are aligned with Prosecutors and Power, but presumably their day will come and they will come home to their roots.  Dirty Harry Conservatives might also want to reflect on where this train is headed.

Now, I promised a visual aid.  Aside from the technical difficulties of extracting Zimmerman's whispered mumbling from the background noise, there is a huge psychological hurdle - in turning 'sounds' into 'words' the human brain applies a lot of subconscious filtering based very much upon the listener's expectations.  People hear what they want or expect to hear, so people who need to hear "c**ns" will do so and sincerely question the integrity of those who hear something else. 

So, the visual aid - a few years ago this Tiny Dancer swept the intertubes.  She really will spin left or right, if you have the mental toughness (Kevin Drum's tip to block everything but the legs worked for me.)

And so it is with the Zimmerman phrase - decide what you want to hear and hear it.  Don't get hung up on the notion of an objective reality.  And don't expect any judge to keep a straight face and accept "'effing c**ns" as definitive even if (especially if!) Eric Holder says so.

INGENIOUS:  My mockery becomes his insight. A few days back I mocked Orlando Sentinel audio expert Ed Primeau, who climed the background screaming heard on a 911 call was Trayvon Martin even though he had never heard Martin's voice.  That is one heck of a voice expert to match voices he has never heard.

But to be fair, he said the screaming was "a young man", and the two logical candidates were Zimmerman and Martin.  My next question - if the experts can't match the screaming to either voice (due to limitations in the technology) does that mean we should look for a third mystery witness?

To which commenter MOON says, why not?

Could the childlike screaming be from the 13 year old witness whose dog ran off?

Hmmph. His story is at the HuffPo, or an earlier version of his story appeared in the Orlando Sentinel.

That jibes with what Cheryl Brown's teenage son witnessed while walking his dog that night. Thirteen-year-old Austin stepped out his front door and heard people fighting, he told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday.

"I heard screaming and crying for help," he said. "I heard, 'Help me.' "

It was dark, and the boy did not see how the fight started, in fact, he only saw one person, a man in a red shirt — Zimmerman — who was on the ground.

The boy said he is not sure who called for help. After a moment, his dog escaped, and he turned to catch it and a few seconds later heard a gunshot, he said.

"When I heard the shot, the screaming stopped," he said.

He then rushed inside and told his sister to call police.

He later changed that to a version less helpful to Zimmerman, as per the HuffPo.  

In any case, if this were crime fiction the dog running away would be a metaphor - what ran away was his self control and he stood there helpless and screaming, watching in horror as a man was shot.  But don't ask him about it because he saw nothing - his dog had run off, remember?

Psychologists would feast on this.  Fear, repression, symbolism - all here.  Now, could reality match fiction?  Well, look at it another way - should we take the word of a terrified and confused thirteen year old as gospel?  There is another witness, 'John', who says he saw Zimmerman screaming.  That doesn't mean this kid wasn't screaming, too.

I will score the idea that this kid was doing the screaming as high on the creativity scale.  And on the probability/plausibility scale?  Let's say it's not so unlikely that the prosecution can ignore it, because the defense won't. 

Suppose Ed Primeau takes the stand with his "I never heard Martin's voice but that is him screaming" testimony.  After the court stops laughing the defense can ask him why the screaming couldn't be from the thirteen year old.  Confusion equals reasonable doubt.

STRAY IDEAS: Apparently the Zimmerman team feels a need to push back a bit more - Zimmerman passed a voice audio test (roughly as unreliable as a polygraph, apparently) the night of the shooting.  Not admissible, but it may have reassured the police.  Of course, Zimmerman had reportedly not lawyered up, either.  All this just shows how cold-blooded and calculating he is!

And the NY Times is maintaining its Eerie Silence, with no original reporting on the Martin killing.  They do run the corrections we noted and gloated yesterday.

Comments

[Dave (in MA)]

So, the visual aid - a few years ago this Tiny Dancer swept the intertubes. She really will spin left or right, if you have the mental toughness

Supposedly "left-brained" if you see counter-clockwise and "right-brained" if you see clockwise. What does wishing they left the lights on say about your brain? (Oh no I di-in't)

[Extraneus]

I'm unable to see her turning anti-clockwise, but I can still read this:

I cnduo't bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whoutit a pboerlm. Tihs is bucseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey ltteer by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt! See if yuor fdreins can raed tihs too.

[cboldt]

Some of the witnesses must have reported the words they heard, besides "HELP!"

I don't recall any report of "Don't Shoot!" or "Gun!"

At any rate, the case doesn't hinge on identifying the voice uttering the scream. Just take that evidence out, and what do you get?

[centralcal]

It is amazing, Ext. And it is actually more readable the faster one goes at.

[boris]

How many can make her swing from side to side?

[Janet]

Was that dancer filmed in a closet?

[OldTimer]

How interesting! She mostly turns right for me, but will turn to the left when I blink my eyes and 'think' that she will..

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

It is amazing, Ext. And it is actually more readable the faster one goes at.

Is this the concept behind speed reading?

[OldTimer]

The longer I stare at the picture the more often she turns to the left. Weird. I think I'll send the link around to my family and friends just to get their reactions,

[Ignatz]

--How many can make her swing from side to side?--

She was always counterclockwise to me previously.
When I used the Drum trick now though I can make her switch.
Now if I can just get her to change positions in a wheelchair in a closet I'll have it made.

[Janet]

Now if I can just get her to change positions in a wheelchair in a closet I'll have it made.

Hahahahahaaaha...if you can do THAT, I'll throw a party & bring some melons!

[OldTimer]

The Dems will crucify Walker over this:

http://themoderatevoice.com/143559/wisconsins-scott-walker-repeals-wisconsin-equal-pay-law/

Hope he has a prepared speech explaining why the repeal benefits all who live in WI.

[The tortuous beat goes on.]

Dextrous & sinister;
Are we dancers or
Are we turning humans?
=========

[Donald]

That dude playing with Tiger is a tool.

Got a nice note from the lady last night and the go ahead for a job.

Take that Dave.

[narciso]

I don't buy a used meme from Think Regress, or
Greg Sargent, OT, you should know that by now.

[cboldt]

NBC selected its scapegoat.

NBC Fires Producer of Misleading Zimmerman Tape

A spokeswoman for NBC News declined to comment.

I am mindful that NYTimes is known to be not truthful, so this "somebody got fired" report may be fiction, designed to take heat off the collective media's butt.

[hit and run]

That's good to hear,Donald.

Perhaps you should call me next year and hand the phone to her.

I am confident I could close the deal for you.

[Jane]

I saw her move both ways. More than once. Am I weird?

[Extraneus]

Great, Donald. Celebrate with a glass of vino.

Bugs in my Zoot Suit

Been scratchin' like a dog

Can't stand no water

And I stink like a hog

I won't go into what happens on the lower-headed lady's front lawn, but if she bothers you again...

Flies all green and buzzin'

In this dungeon of despair...

(Apologies to the non-Zappa fans.)

[hit and run]

Jane:
Am I weird?

No. Your freakishness is normal.

[hit and run]

Extraneus:
(Apologies to the non-Zappa fans.)

Some day all JOMers will be steeped in JOM tradition. Until that day,I will stand in the breach...

"I would like to apologize to the non-Zappa fans. But I won't. That's how I roll."

[mockmook]

RE: Tiny Dancer

At first I could only see her going CW.

Then I thought about: What is the "trick" to make this work?

She is a silhouette, no depth. So, an arm that looks shorter can be pointed towards you or away from you.

Then I could see her spin either way. But, logic did it for me. Yet, I'm supposedly Right Brain.

Can anyone make her go one direction and her floor reflection go the opposite at the same time?

[Tom Maguire]

I think I'll send the link around to my family and friends just to get their reactions...

My kids have no trouble making her switch, which makes me wonder:

(a) is it an age/old dogs new tricks/ flexible young minds thing, or

(b) are they out-smarting their tired old dad by pretending she is switching on cue?

Not exclusive choices.

[bgates]

Speaking of Tiny Dancer and controlling what words you hear, here you go.

[Donald]

Newt Gingrich. Wing man.

[Ignatz]

--Got a nice note from the lady last night and the go ahead for a job.--

Hot cha cha.
Next time you should have your business meeting in a closet without distractions like CNN around.

[hit and run]

(b) They are out-smarting their tired old dad by pretending she is switching on cue.

I cling to this. With all my might. The younger generation is ::shakes fist:: get off my lawn!

[centralcal]

I am mindful that NYTimes is known to be not truthful, so this "somebody got fired" report may be fiction, designed to take heat off the collective media's butt.

Absolutely, cboldt - did you see any "name" for the "producer?"

[cboldt]

No name for the producer - but NBC did fire somebody in Florida. I suppose that would make for a convenient "connection" that doesn't need any further evidence.

As if firing some low level schmuck redeems NBC. Ha.

[Extraneus]

You're right, hit. What was I thinking.

[Dave (in MA)]

I won't go into what happens on the lower-headed lady's front lawn

Roller.

[Frau Bratensoße]

I didn't influence the direction of the dancer. She changed all by herself which is kinda spooky.
Best smile of the day, bgates. It reminds me of "Secret Asian Man." LUN

We once had a c**nhound. Are we forbidden to use the word now? Yike!

[Sandy Daze]

Growing up, I had a coon-skin hat which I wore nearly every day to school for a couple years, because I wanted to be like Daniel Boone (as relayed to us by Fess Parker)
Action !

Adventure !!

What more could a young boy aspire to be, but the:

This is (just one of the many) problems with the poseur. . . he does not understand, nor does he care to learn about America's DNA.

OS!~OMG~ABO !
Sandy

[Sandy Daze]

Growing up, I had a coon-skin hat which I wore nearly every day to school for a couple years, because I wanted to be like Daniel Boone (as relayed to us by Fess Parker)
Action !

Adventure !!

What more could a young boy aspire to be, but the:

This is (just one of the many) problems with the poseur. . . he does not understand, nor does he care to learn about America's DNA.

OS!~OMG~ABO !
Sandy

[Sandy Daze]

Growing up, I had a coon-skin hat which I wore nearly every day to school for a couple years, because I wanted to be like Daniel Boone (as relayed to us by Fess Parker)
Action !

Adventure !!

What more could a young boy aspire to be, but the:

This is (just one of the many) problems with the poseur. . . he does not understand, nor does he care to learn about America's DNA.

OS!~OMG~ABO !
Sandy

[Sandy Daze]

Growing up, I had a coon-skin hat which I wore nearly every day to school for a couple years, because I wanted to be like Daniel Boone (as relayed to us by Fess Parker)
Action !

Adventure !!

What more could a young boy aspire to be, but the:

This is (just one of the many) problems with the poseur. . . he does not understand, nor does he care to learn about America's DNA.

OS!~OMG~ABO !
Sandy

[Sandy Daze]

(gawd. . .)

[Ann]

It's okay Sandy. I left my car running while I shopped for groceries. We understand.

Really!!! :)

[narciso]

You can say that again, Sandy,

[henry]

Old Timer, don't worry about the equal pay thing... All the law did was make it easier to sue employers for many protected groups. Walker only hurt lawyers, and they wouldn't vote for him anyway.

[Caro]

It was worth it to see the conservative Ed Ames FOUR times!

Thanks, SD

[Extraneus]

Roller.

Thanks, Dave. I always loved that part.

[Extraneus]

I figured out how to make her turn the other way. Just look at her foot or the shadow of her foot. Works for me, anyway.

[DebinNC]

Did someone mention Ed Ames? Johnny Carson was such a treasure.

[sbw]

And who can think of Ed Ames without thinking of Johnny Carson...

[Bumptious]

I'm with Sandy on this. Dan'l Boone (rhymes with c**n) was my hero too. But Fess played Davey Crockett who was "King of the Wild Frontier"...in the song anyway.

BTW, has anyone found the bag of Skittles Martin was carrying? Are there any left or did the kid's dog eat them?

The Case of the Missing Skittles...

[Les Nessman]

I'm glad Sandy said 'coon skin hat'.

Are we a bunch of infants who can't use the word, or are we adults having an adult conversation in a free society?

If you are saying it with no intention of malice or ill-will, then just SAY it; though the heavens may fall.

Enough of this 'c**n' crap.
Coon. There, I said it. Ironically, it appears Zimmerman did not say it.

[John from Chicago]

Here is the best example I have ever seen of forcing an audio interpretation on the listener. Someone took Joe Cocker's famous Woodstock performance of "A Little Help From My Friends", and added a set of ludicrous subtitles. Obviously Cocker was not singing about Kias, Fred and Wilma, and loaves of bread, but watch this video and you won't be so sure.

By the end of this four minutes you should be fully convinced why this sort of "analysis" is pure garbage. The human mind is a pattern matching machine, and this video shows how incredibly easy it is to force an interpretation on the listener, which is exactly what CNN has done, several times now.

And this isn't filtered at all, except perhaps by whatever Joe Cocker was on at the time.

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEb8DflQ9lY

[BM]

I'v found to get her to spin the other way it helps to imagine her nude.

[Gretchen]

Phones certainly changes the way we live.