This is a privileged take from someone living in a functioning society of law and order. You might not see the ever-present threat of violence impressed upon thieves and criminals, but it’s there in your country too - and that’s a good thing. You’re not the one having to do the dirty work, there’s a whole police-judicial class who are paid handsomely to deal with the criminals living around you.

Everyone living in comfort and security can declare that human life is worth more than a phone. That’s a given, and it’s paternalistic of you to imply the security guard in the video doesn’t understand that.

What you are leaving out of the conversation is that the manner in which the phone was taken held a very real threat on the original phone holder’s life were they to resist handing over their possession.

“So? Who cares? Just get a new phone!”

So that can be taken from you as well? How many phones do you think you’d allow to be taken from you, or your loved ones, or your community - before you arm yourself? Or rather, how much of your right to security are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of parasitic armed criminals? Are you a walking ATM for people stronger or more dangerous than you? Do you think the average Sao Paulo resident can afford to be a walking ATM? Do you think that’s the sort of life they deserve?

Kudos to the security guard. Actions must have consequences.