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Before prison, I worked in IT consulting, so I definitely felt like a geek in prison. What's it like to be a geek in prison? I can only speak to how it was for me. It was scary, since I hadn't punched anyone since the 7th grade and most of the people I might have to fight were 20 years younger than me. It's humbling, since I found myself in an environment that was nothing like my prior life and where the traits that had made me successful outside had little value on the inside. For me, it was eye-opening. I learned so much about the flaws in our justice system: the police, the prosecutors, the adversarial trial process, the appellate process, and more. For me, it was an awakening of sorts. Everywhere you go, you have to be alert. There are so many dangers. You could be in danger if you bump into somebody, if you look at someone wrong, or for no reason at all. I am so much more vigilant of my surroundings, even years later. My ability to read people is greatly improved, because it was so important there.The surprising thing to me is that it was also an opportunity. Before prison, I liked to play guitar. Inside prison, I got to play in the music program and got pretty good. It was a matter of putting in the time. I also had books sent in so I could study music theory. Before prison, I had 6 years of jr. high and high school Spanish. In prison, I made friends with many people from Spanish-speaking countries and got fluent. I didn't just talk with them, I watched TV with them, studied the Bible in Spanish with them, read novels in Spanish. In those 8 years I went from high school Spanish to fluent. I also found a job where I could program computers, creating databases used within the facility for things like tracking sports leagues or scheduling medical appointments. I then had books sent in to study new languages, design patterns, Xtreme and Agile methodologies, and more. I left knowing so much more than when I arrived.Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was how I was able to form close friendships with such a diverse group of people. I had friends from Mexico and Honduras. I hung out with a murderer, as well as a guy who used to do home invasions. I got to be friends with drug dealers and a jewelry store robber. I still have pen pals who remain locked up.I learned many things from inmates that I never learned in my prior life. I learned that you should go straight to the person you're upset with rather than go to authorities. I learned that giving and keeping your word is the ultimate measurement of character. I learned that loyalty is easy to promise, but few really deliver. Don't be that guy. Prison is really a learning crucible since the reactions are so quick and amplified. If you have annoying habits, you'll find out fast. If you are not respectful to others, you'll hear about it and you may get a "tune up" to teach you respect.I also learned about true friends from those who supported me from outside of prison. They stood by me during the trial and all the appeals. They wrote me, took my calls, drove hours to visit me, and more. They really taught me about what true friends do for one another.So for this geek, being in prison was a chance to learn about so many things.

Here’s a mistake you don’t want to make even once, as it may cost you your life.If you’re driving a (rental) vehicle, or riding as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, and you’re stopped by the police (whether it be for speeding, blowing a stop sign, or another perceived offense), there’s some crucial things you need to keep in mind as the police approach your vehicle.STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.Only the driver is entitled to roll down the window, when instructed by law enforcement.Keep your hands visible, and do not make any sudden movements that could be misinterpreted as threatening or could give the police any reason to believe that you may be carrying or reaching for a weapon.It also goes without saying that you should immediately pull over on the side of the road/highway when alerted, and you should absolutely not try to engage in a high-speed chase. Also, be courteous to the police officer(s) – turn off your radio volume when stopped, and remain calm and submissive.Here’s a real-life anecdote involving oblivious foreigners, to illustrate the importance of the above three points.I am American, and I spent six years working for a large, multinational medical company in an international role. I had a former colleague from India who traveled to the U.S. (Texas) for a medical product congress. It was his first time in the states, and he was really nervous to visit Texas, of all places, because the media (rightly or wrongly) depicts this state as a place where everyone is toting firearms like gun-happy cowboys.My Indian colleague arrived at the airport in Texas and hired a taxi to drive him directly to the trade show. The taxi driver also happened to be from India, and so they cranked up the Bollywood music during their drive. The two men were having such a delightful time singing and chatting that the driver lost track of his speed. Next thing they knew, the cherries and berries popped up behind them in the form of flashing blue and red lights from a police car. They were getting pulled over for speeding.Since the driver was bringing my colleague to a medical event, he and my colleague agreed that they would slightly ‘bend’ the true story. They would tell the police that my colleague himself is a doctor (only a tad bit of a stretch from being a business manager with a medical-technology company), and they would convey to the cops the urgency for my colleague to reach his next medical appointment on time.My colleague was satisfied with this version of the story, and he was happy to help the driver try to avoid receiving a speeding ticket (which oftentimes translates into points against the driver on his driver’s license, and a very hefty fine).When the head police officer approached the vehicle, my colleague in the backseat was anxious and eager to spring into action. He rolled down his backseat window (BIG mistake), and stuck his head out the window (BIGGER mistake), while he started proactively shouting to the cop about how he is a doctor and they are operating on a tight schedule, etc.It took about ONE second for the officer to feel threatened by my colleague’s behavior. The officer immediately responded by pulling his semi-automatic pistol from his holster and pointing it directly at my colleague.Fortunately my colleague was not harmed during this incident, but he was definitely spooked. Here he was, afraid to visit the states due to the reputation of guns everywhere, and he had an actual gun pointed at his head, right between his eyes, within 30 minutes of stepping foot on U.S. soil.Although my colleague was frightened by unknowingly causing his very own nightmare to become his brief reality, he learned a very valuable lesson that day – one that could have cost him his life!

Living in Japan with children has shown a different side to this issue. Japan is safe because Japanese really care about safety. Safety is highly valued by most Japanese and it probably is that simple.Children are put through countless drills for earthquakes, fires and possible school attacks. Firemen and police often visit schools talking about safety. There are even weekend drills where firemen have many events for kids and sometimes kids stay overnight as they would in a shelter and eat the same food that would be served. There are even classes in elementary school about morals and ethics.When kids are going to school they are watched over by armies of elders, shop keepers and volunteers. If a child feels threatened, many stores have symbols to alert kids that they can go into the store if they are scared and a clerk will hid them and call the police. Convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day often offer this service. Young kids even carry alarms and many kids have phones with GPS tracking.Many people practice caution in how they live. Typically if you just knock on someone's door without an invite, you won't get an answer. Even if you do get an answer people will first talk to you through an intercom. Many schools have gates and you have to use an intercom to identify who you are and why you are there to gain entry. Often women will not go out at night by themselves. In general people don't take safety for granted.There are cameras everywhere and the police use them. There was a woman at our building that surprised someone trying to break into a delivery box. He hit her hard enough she was taken to a hospital then escaped into a nearby subway. There were pictures of him running into the subway. The next day the story showed up in many newspapers and it was probably on some local TV news. Police interviewed everyone living in the building multiple times. It took two months but they tracked down the man and had the proof of the attach from cameras in our building.When kids are hurt at school, there is a school nurse that makes sure the parents know what happens. Often the nurse will arrange medical appointments and they follow up to make sure the proper medical care has happened. It is quite common for a school to require a doctor to fill out a form for a child.Japan is safe because Japanese value safety.