Losing Focus . . . Ratting on Myself

[MisterMike]

Having been in some jobs over the years where situational awareness was important, I generally think that I do a better job than most of staying in what THRers describe as "conditional yellow." While trying to slip into paranoia, I keep an eye on those around me, keep an eye out for points of concealment, etc.

However, last week I let my guard down on two occasions and was immediately reminded that slipping into la-la land can have its consequences. I could make excuses--some of you might even cut me some slack--but the truth is that I lost my situational awareness.

I work in Chicago and walk a few blocks to and from my office each morning and evening. There's not a lot of violence that occurs in the Loop; at least during the day there are people everywhere. My lapses? On one occasion I was engrossed in reading an email about my dad on my iPhone. On the second occasion I was standing at an intersection, waiting for a "walk" signal and was gawking at a spreadsheet.

In both instances, I was jarred back into reality by being approached by panhandlers--actually con artists with a story (both times it was an "I'm stuck here, can you help me with bus fare?" type of encounter. I brushed both of them off (one a youngish guy who looked a little rough and the other a girl in her late teens or early twenties). It was only when the second instance occurred that I came to the realization that I'd been spending too much time detached from the here and now.

Really, this is pretty rare for me. I usually am engaged in keeping my eyes and ears open. What I found interesting was that the two con artists picked me out because I was obviously not engaged. It served as a reminder that the bad guys really do focus on those who are the easiest targets. Last week, that was me.

 

[MedWheeler]

Good thing you can carry a concealed firearm legally to provide for your own protection.. oh, yeah, wait.. never mind.

 

[heron]

You might consider putting the phone in your pocket before you step outside, and leaving it there until you get home. Electronic toys are hugely distractive.

 

[telkontar]

We all do similar things. Just be careful where we allow ourselves to lapse out --- while no place isabsolutely safe, it's hard to think where in the city I would allow a deep lapse.

 

[uspJ]

Electronic toys are hugely distractive.

They're also very attractive to criminals.

 

[psyopspec]

Misspoke.

 

[lions]

In orange, you passively take note of such things. In yellow, you're set up to execute.

These aren't the definitions of the color code awareness levels that I'm used to. Just to make sure we are on the same page, I believe this link explains what the OP means by yellow.
Cooper Color Codes
Synopsis:
White: Unaware
Yellow: Relaxed alertness
Orange: Heightened alertness, specific threat
Red: Mentally prepared for immediate conflict

 

[psyopspec]

I had yellow and orange mixed up. Good catch, and apologies.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Having been in some jobs over the years where situational awareness was important, I generally think that I do a better job than most of staying in what THRers describe as "conditional yellow."

Many folks who carry guns a (as evidenced by forum postings) like to think they are more often or better at being in condition yellow and will often tell you how good they are at it. The interesting thing is that due to the nature of the beast, they fail to realize when they have slipped out of yellow into white, then maybe back into yellow again. No harm, no foul so long as nothing occurs while in white and so they never realize their transgression.

You may be better than most, but given that most folks are fairly clueless to intentional situational awareness, it is sort of like saying you are smarter than most hamsters. The comparison is fairly meaningless and not a position in which to take comfort.

My lapses? On one occasion I was engrossed in reading an email about my dad on my iPhone. On the second occasion I was standing at an intersection, waiting for a "walk" signal and was gawking at a spreadsheet.

Those are just ones in which you were obviously distracted and caught. The problem is called both "attention blindness" and "inattention blindness." In short, your brain can only process so much at a time. When you focus (to give attention) to any one thing, there are so many things around you to which you lose focus (inattention). Here is a very good thread on the topic by pax over at TFL. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=400992&highlight=attention+blindness

You mentioned being at an intersection waiting on a "walk" signal and looking at a spreadsheet. Even had you not been looking at a spreadsheet, had you been watching for the signal, you would have had the same issue, though maybe not having been targeted and so not having realized how much of your surrounding environment was not given attention. After getting the "walk" signal, before stepping out off the curb, many folks are very situationally aware to check for oncoming traffic or turning traffic that may not have seen the light change, but at that time become unaware of pedestrian threats.

It is the nature of the beast.

 

[ilikepancakes]

Well said, Double Naught Spy.