From 9/11 to last year's Tsunami, the London bombings to Hurricane Katrina and now the most recent quake in Kashmir, it's hard not thinking that there seems to be a lot of senseless suffering of a lot of innocent lives.
I used to think that most media outlets have a hard time reporting on anything but stories of pain and suffering, but these days I tend to believe that there just happens to be a lot of pain and suffering to report on. My heart goes out to those affected by the latest quake, while I know that the World can do a tremendous job of coming to the aid of those in need, every time something like this happens I just hope people do more.
It's always tough making posts like this; there's usually something that sparks the desire to do so, but it is so much more difficult conveying concern and frustration with the aftermath of events like this than it is writing about just anything else.
I used to think that most media outlets have a hard time reporting on anything but stories of pain and suffering, but these days I tend to believe that there just happens to be a lot of pain and suffering to report on. My heart goes out to those affected by the latest quake, while I know that the World can do a tremendous job of coming to the aid of those in need, every time something like this happens I just hope people do more.
It's always tough making posts like this; there's usually something that sparks the desire to do so, but it is so much more difficult conveying concern and frustration with the aftermath of events like this than it is writing about just anything else.
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SnowyEnigma - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - link
I don't it has to do with the frequency of storms but rather the number of people growing in natural disaster pron areas.mlittl3 - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - link
I know this is going to piss everyone here off, but it's time to get real. There is no more or less "pain and suffering" (as you put it) in the world than any other time in history. It is because of the media outlets that we "hear" about these tradgic events more often and then we think the world is getting worse.Just think in 1750, do you think a peasant in Europe would have heard about a tsunami hitting Indonesia? Do you think he/she would have heard an accurate death toll or any death toll at all? Just because it was not reported didn't mean it didn't happen.
Do you think a missing child would have been reported to a country of 250 million people a few hours after it happened back in 1908? No, noboby would have heard about it but it still happened. We have TV, the internet, the radio, etc. that seems hell bent on only reporting the bad things of the world. With so much dread and nothing else coming over the airwaves to our doorstep, everyone thinks the world is getting worse.
It's time to get real, everyone. The world is a turmultuous place. There was the bubonic plague that killed thousands, hurricanes not known about that killed thousands, world wars that killed millions. If I were a betting man, I'd say the world is pretty quiet right now.
Anand, don't stir up people's emotions just because technology of today allows everyone to hear about problems all around the world. There have always been disasters, there always will be and there are no more disasters now than there were 100 years ago. That weblog you wrote is unsubstantiated and will only promote emotions out of people that do nothing to help this world.
Sorry for the rant.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - link
I don't think I said that the world was any worse off today than before, I wasn't trying to make a comparison to a prior point in the history of the world, just making a statement on my feelings with regards to the present.Take care,
Anand
mlittl3 - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - link
Yeah, your right. I think I'm just in a bad mood lately. You see I live in Baton Rouge and I experienced first hand a lot of what went on with Hurricane Katrina. A lot of it was exaggerated by the media which really hurt some of our volunteer efforts of which I was apart. I'm glad you are courageous enough to tell people how you feel on these weblogs. Sorry for such a negative reply.Okay, I'm going to stop procrastinating and go back to writing my dissertation which I'm dreading. :)
Anand Lal Shimpi - Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - link
No worries :) I'm glad to hear that you were a part of the volunteer efforts. I know the media can be pretty bad, it's one of the reasons I don't like calling myself or what we do here "journalism" because the connotation is not what I like to think we do.Good luck with your dissertation :)
Take care,
Anand
OvErHeAtInG - Monday, October 10, 2005 - link
Anand, it's funny how I was having the exact sentiment seconds before I read your post. Sometimes I just want to pack up and go help those in need. But then what would I do? These things just remind me to be grateful for and kind to all those around me. And send out loving prayers for all those in New Orleans, Guatemala, Pakistan.GhandiInstinct - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - link
"The Government failed to come in time."Ever heard of population control?
jrphoenix - Monday, October 10, 2005 - link
Hi Anand,I couldn't agree more. There is so much suffering in the world lately. Let us all be grateful for the bounties in life that we have and pray for those less fortunate.
James
UlricT - Monday, October 10, 2005 - link
In the past year, it seems like natural disasters have been occuring much more frequently. The total death toll has gone above 60,000 from natural disasters alone. Have you ever thought about pooling the resources of AT to help out in situations like this?A quick request... can you please get some mod to stickie the thread in OT on the quake? I have been requesting it, but the mods seem too busy banning people, and alienating the more mature members of the Anandtech Community.
Scrogneugneu - Monday, October 10, 2005 - link
I'm not that sure... I've heard numerous reports that althought a lot of country said they sent millions to help for whatever event happens, these millions were never seen at the destination. Seems like all this "we will help them with our millions" story is just public relations after all... sad indeed :(.