You tell me. The world doesn’t make much sense anymore, and I need some guidance:
Is Colton Harris-Moore a role model? Until his capture in the Bahamas on Sunday, this 19-year-old “Barefoot Bandit” from Washington state had been on a two-year crime spree that’s cost the public hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage and law enforcement expenses.
OK, I admit I already know the answer: The kid is merely a very intelligent but troubled dude who needs counseling and a good stint in jail. To countless people, though, Harris-Moore has become a bona-fide hero. Never mind the fact he’s stolen multiple cars and several speedboats, as well as lifted and crashed at least five small planes. (And that’s not including the hundreds of other property crimes he’s committed.) People even write songs about him, touting him a folk legend.
I classify that fact under “Things That Make You Ask ‘Why?'”
There are lots of reasons, but media is definitely involved. Harris-Moore already has about 85,000 fans on a Facebook page—and counting. National media outlets are spending hours covering the story, and millions of people have now heard about this slippery teen who’s thumbed his nose at authority for half his life. Colton T-shirts are selling out, and bumper stickers, tributes and videos are all available at the click of a computer mouse. There’s even talk about his mother writing a memoir.
Hundreds of thousands of people are banding together to promote Harris-Moore’s legendary criminal “feats” and celebrate his ability to beat the system for so long. It’s as if they’re living vicariously through this kid because their own suburban taxpayer lives lack such drama.
I know. This isn’t a new phenomenon. Jesse James was a far worse criminal but received similar hoopla and admiration in the late 1800s, thanks in part to the dime novels that sprung up around his legend. The difference today, however, is one of mobility and ease. Today people have access to 24/7 information of all kinds—and they comment on it relentlessly via the Internet.
Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much about a thief.
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