Indicators of Why We Are Our Own Worst Enemy

Indicator: bostonherald.com...
Title: "State ready for 'scary scenario' "
Writers: John Zaremba, Chris Cassidy, Colneth Smiley Jr.

I must tread carefully here given that I'm not a resident of the East Coast, therefore I've no personal cause for alarm at the moment. No doubt there is cause for concern for those in the path of this hurricane; however, is there cause for irrational behavior?

The linked article indicates irrational behavior is occurring concomitant to Hurricane Irene's approach. Moreover, as I was reading the article, conspiracies that center on FEMA and emergency response rehearsals throughout our states came to mind. Namely, conspiracies that purport these rehearsals are conducted with nefarious agendas in mind.

Affording a moment's consideration to today's events and on-the-ground reactions being publically reported indicate there are events for which we must be protected from ourselves and each other. Let me state clearly, however, that in protecting us (us being those who are not federal or state employed emergency responders) there are elements among us who do not lose their composure, nor their sense of respect and dignity for themselves and toward others. I cannot speak to what percentage of those in the path of this hurricane have seemingly lost their minds and have not lost their minds, but surmise instead that four general groups model this complex situation: 1) the fatalists who just don't care one way or the other; 2) the rational minded folk who recognize the threat & respond to it proportionally; 3) the "I don't know what to do" so I'll follow suit with the majority; and 4) the absolutely mindless & fear-struck respondents who will cause you to drown should you attempt to save them.

It goes without saying that fear is a powerful motivator for good or bad purposes (inclusively). From my own experiences I've witnessed the reactions of others in life-threatening situations & reflected on my own reactions when a sense of calm normalized the surrounding environment. Inwardly we are, I think, all affected by circumstances that arouse fear. That fear manifests privately and surfaces according to each individual, occasionally extending beyond the concern for oneself to include others. More specifically, it tends to be the case that we strive to protect what we value most--which is our existence--when it is threatened or appears to be threatened. Granted that is an obvious observation, although what is not always obvious is the measure of our reactions in pursuit of protecting ourselves or those we care about from harm. In the case of Hurricane Irene and the linked article, it is evident that some of the respondents are reacting irrationally.

On the one hand their reaction is irrational given that Hurricane Irene is a temporal event. That is, it is not an event that describes the normal behavior of Earthly weather patterns, but will pass within a day's time. Followed by that is a consideration of the interdependency ingrained in our society. Yes, destruction may or may not occur according to variable outcomes that simply can't be modeled. Nonetheless, individuals will not be reduced to autarcky should their estate be reduced to rubble. I don't claim that hard times, i.e. a lifestyle not corresponding to that of their previous lifestyle before this hurricane occurred will not result in unwelcome change, but the fact remains that they continue to live. Furthermore we are fortunate in our nation given that state and federal responders provide assistance where, if our society deemed it unimportant, those affected by events like Hurricane Irene or the EF5 tornado in Joplin, MO might simply be left to fend for themselves.

My point is that reactions intimated in this article are irrational, lending to the viewpoint that in moments of impending disaster, there are segments of our society that may cause as much harm as the natural event for which we cannot control. I cannot quantify harm in terms of the reactions of "buying out the store" in preparation for a disaster, but rather observe the reactions weighed against the threat. To me it is indicative of disorder, & this is the most sinister indicator of harm. Such an example includes the events that followed Hurricane Katrina--that is, the looting & crime that followed.

If or when a bona fide event that either changes the face of Earth or a segment of Earth occurs, it appears to me there will be segments of individuals and/or groups in the disaster zone who consciously or unconsciously do more harm than good. This idea tacitly juxtaposes with certain responses to Hurricane Irene explained in the linked article. If for no other reason, I posit that it explains why emergency responders are accompanied by armed escorts. Beyond that, I believe it speaks unspoken volumes about portions of our society.