I was coming back from a late meeting the other night. Berlin's ice began to melt.
I came close to serious injury twice. The locals call the snow coming from the roofs "roof avalanches". The icicles don't get a special name.
Well I was almost hit by 2 mini avalanches. So by the time I got back to base I wasn't really in the mood for the two meter long icicle hanging directly above the door from the roof six floors up.
Distribution of responsibility: the powerful "someone else's problem" effect that meant no-one had done anything.
I called the fire-brigade. They sent two dry and idiot-weary Berliners round. They said I would be robbing the city of fire-safety if they sent an engine. Seeing as how the neighbors up on 6 still had lights on, would I be so kind as to deal with it myself. Ok. I'll do my best. They're right actually.
I got two other neighbors to make sure the way below was clear and made my way upstairs.
The apartment on 6 belongs to an expert on John Cage but he was not "prepared" to stick a broom out of his window to hit the thing for fear of being responsible for an injury. His insurance was more important than public/neighbors safety: well here we are in the wonderful 21st century. He's not exactly Mr Rogers eh? What about all the kids in our building?...nope. He made joke about him using his mobile phone on airplanes. What?
So I did the deed. I was up a step ladder sixfloors up and whacked the icicle with a broom. Down it went. Everyone's safer. Hurray. Me hero. I have a fear of heights actually. But I care more about my fellow humans.
My neighbor offered me a whisky to celebrate. What? His lack of care for others than himself?
Take action. You make all the difference in the world.
The same night I was shedding more than a few tears for Haiti. I'm in absolute horror. Take action. Distribution of responsibility. If you wish to help, as I did, then here's one possibility.
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