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While the media releases footages revealing the magnitude of destruction and casualty report, it is so surreal to watch how it happens. If there is any positive message from all these (I need one), it would be the spirit of Japanese culture. To me Japanese have already demonstrated their communitarian over last few days. While those who have lost love-one and possession, they show little grudge. They wipe in tears, but still hold up with dignity. Even when panic is already spreading, social order very much continues. They have touched me.Growing up from a historical background where Japanese imperial army has invaded, and with Manga playing a role in my adolescence, the nation to me symbolises reinvention.The new Japan still keeps its cooperative root, although with blend religion. The nation is resilent to cope with adversity as post-war has revealed.In some way, their culture transcends hardship and individual sacrifice. Such moral has hold up against time, from Harakiri to the era of mass culture (see example).If one has to pick a country that could come out from major disaster, Japan should be among the discussion.Will continue to pray for this nation.
See link to first part of this post. The impact of Haiti's 1.12 earthquake is devastated and compounded by the country's poverty. It just doesn't have the resource to withstand disaster of such magnitude. More problem follows, with the lack of systematic infrastructure to deliver foreign aid to those who desperately needs help.
Out of all the bad news, a survivor is able to hold-on long enough, with the help of his own gadget belonging (link). His story highlights a few interesting points, one being technology (credit to survivor as well) does indeed empowering the chance of survival. Given that poor country's inability to adopt technology for safty and disaster-relieve from top-down, perhaps this will show them some light.
If you have young kid, s/he may get the wrong impression that natural disaster is becoming a norm ... take a look at the historic earthquake, typhoon, flooding.
Techonolgy has advanced to the stage of carrying our society beyond space and time, but we are still trapped when natural disaster strikes. Our communication fails and transportation halts. Weather bureau could only allow us enough time to go home or for shelter. It ironically brings everybody from both sides of digital divide to level playing field, where we could only wait to be rescued.
One may argue that the super-rich could still flee out in-advance, just like those able to get in Titanic's lifeboats.
I'm getting sidetrack ... Digital society to me should also be safe place for living. Thus under current climax, the adoption of technology in weather forecast and disaster relieve must be factor-in.
