Humanity
Mainstream television’s reporting of natural and other catastrophes has turned the delivery of information about human struggle, the mighty elements, loss and its consequences into nothing more than disaster porn.
Nowhere has this been so evident than with the recent “live” coverage of the Tasmania bushfires.
Late last week and into this one, the south-east of Tasmania burned, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and holidaymakers as homes and livelihoods, never mind beloved pets and essential livestock perished.
Continue reading "Suffering continues long after the cameras stop rolling" »
These past two days I’ve been gazing at my fellow office workers and wondering: If an earthquake struck here, who would be a hero? Who would run back into the crumbling building for a mate, who would risk their life for another?
I had imagined that, of the hundreds of people, a few would shine.
Maybe that chick over there that always looks calm and competent. Maybe not that bloke who can never manage eye contact.
I also wondered what I would do and had a terrifying thought that I would be a panicker, a useless screamer (or swearer, more likely) who only contributed to the chaos.
But, as it turns out, more people are everyday heroes than I thought.
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Servaas says:
I’d say it has a lot to do with the ‘equalising’ effect of a disaster or terrifying event, or the way it bring things into perspective, how it shatters our images we put so much time and effort in. We’re all tempted to protect our reputations, to be admired by… Read more »
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Chris L says:
Marley, are you implying that other species cannot show the “human” spirit? I once saw a dog risk death to drag an injured friend off a busy freeway! Don’t be such specists people! Read more »
As human lives and communities are destroyed by floods in Australia, and we recall the devastation of the Haiti quake one year on, it’s appropriate to reflect on the continuing challenge humanity faces to work out how best to master nature.
As much as we can be in awe of the beauty of nature, we should resist the naive nature worship that ignores just how arbitrary and destructive it can be.
While we are in fact part of nature, we are that part of nature that is aware of itself. We are able to imagine and construct ways of shaping and managing nature to neutralise its (and our) dark side.
Continue reading "Worshipping nature doesn’t help humanity" »
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Peter Mullen says:
Sorry mate, but your argument is tainted with the exact attitude that has us in trouble with nature already. If we are to sustain ourselves as a species; the very highest priority is population control. No, that doesn’t mean mass sterilization, or any such silliness. It starts by understanding that… Read more »
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SimonR says:
What a singularly peculiar take on the floods. Who exactly is it that is out there worshipping nature? The Greens? Hippies? Pagans? Are events like these not answering the obvious redundancy in the old chestnut of man conquering everything? Surely the better question is how can to live within the… Read more »
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