Strength of humanity in crisis...

[Mr. Bloom]

I think we all watch in horror with the unfolding triple disasters occurring in Japan - earthquake, tsunami, and now, an emerging nuclear catastrophe.

I'm not trying to minimize any disaster, but one thing that amazes me is the absolute strength and resilience of Japanese society in the face of disaster. I'm not hearing of rioting or looting. I'm not seeing coverage of people in arms demanding anything or complaining.

Maybe I'm not seeing it, or maybe - just maybe - there isn't any to cover.

I remember a news report after the Kobe quake (15ish years ago?) where a small girl, maybe 10 yrs old, was being given warm soup at a disaster soup line. When asked if she wanted more, her translated response still rings in my ears years later - "NO, THANK YOU. THIS IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT."

It seems that, in our culture, our 'everyone for themselves' attitude hits bottom in the face of disaster...but in Japan, their best shows through...

Am I missing something? Is their society just repressed? Defeatist? or is it really that strong and altruistic?

ETA: I don't want to be too hard on western civ... I do see it in some recreational sports activities (cycling included) and in some faith communities here, but in Japan, it seems to permeate every corner of culture....like they're one big affinity group...

[sundial]

I too am amazed at how patiently the tsunami victims wait in line for hours to receive food rations--and without incident. It's in sharp contrast to the looting that has occurred in an American town devastated by a natural disaster. I think it's because of their culture and having to live in a highly populated region that lends itself to their politeness towards their fellow man. I was looking at the photos (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html) of the devastation and how the elderly are being cared for. In that respect I saw the faces of the Katrina victims--the elderly men and women who were gathered outside the dome waiting for rescue.

My heart goes out to these victims as they brace for powerful aftershocks and exposure to nuclear waste. :( :(

[spokewench]

I am amazed at the devastation and the stoic nature of the people as well. I was very happy to hear this morning that my friend who is a professor here at the University found her family. She is Japanese and her mother and elderly alzheimer grandmother lived in a house near the beach in Sendai. My friend finally heard this morning that her family is well and made it to a shelter.

That was wonderful news

[bikerchic]

....live in Tokyo and as I spoke to them yesterday on the phone one thing that I was amazed by was their concern for those who are really in the trenches of the disaster. They seemed to feel guilty for having a home, running water, electricity, food and wanted to give and help those in need.

My son is looking for ways he can help with the rescue, however the government is urging people to stay out of the disaster areas unless trained to be there in search and rescue. Smart thing IMHO! They certainly don't need anymore statistics.

They also aren't being told much by the government with the radiation fallout except to take all precautions like STAYING INDOORS! And wearing covering for their skin, head, and a mask when going outdoors. Kinda says it all to me, I am trying to stay positive but it's hard from so far away.

I am most grateful they are alive and well!

That said yes I do agree with you that their society as a whole conducts themselves in a sensible humane way and perhaps have less of an "every-man-for-himself" attitude. I don't know why that is, I can only offer this the outcries of the few are heard loud and clear when they are offensive to human dignity. If that makes sense, not everyone and hopefully most people are not so selfish in nature.

[lph]

I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.

[Trek420]

That is wonderful news bikerchick and spokewench. :) Now we wait and keep Smilingcat's family in our thoughts and prayers.

I've got the flu today or I'd be at work helping run a fundraiser for Red Cross. Guess we all do what we can from where we are.

[bikerchic]

I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.

I agree with that! It always helps to remain calm in a crisis!

[bikerchic]

That is wonderful news bikerchick and spokewench. :) Now we wait and keep Smilingcat's family in our thoughts and prayers.

I've got the flu today or I'd be at work helping run a fundraiser for Red Cross. Guess we all do what we can from where we are.

Thanks it is good news! I also will keep Smilingcat's family in my thoughts.

I wish you much success on the Red Cross fundraiser!

[PamNY]

It seems that, in our culture, our 'everyone for themselves' attitude hits bottom in the face of disaster...but in Japan, their best shows through...

Your comments about "our culture" are not accurate. I live two blocks from the World Trade Center and I saw many acts of selflessness on 9/11 and for a long, long, long time afterward.

Another example is the flooding in Nashville, TN. The Red Cross expressed amazement how little need for immediate aid there was; the city really did organize to take care of itself under very difficult circumstances.

I have admiration and respect for the Japanese people, and I don't doubt their culture has virtues which are of great value in a disaster. I cannot even fathom what they are experiencing, and it won't be over any time soon.

However, I don't think we need to ignore what is good about our culture in order to give them the admiration and respect they certainly deserve.

[badger]

I think it's partly due to the fact that the Japanese have had to weather so much before, that it's just another hurdle they have to go through. They've had devastating earthquakes before, and they've picked themselves up. They'll do it again.

When I was talking to my mother, she didn't seem concerned at all; she's going to Nagoya next Monday but her response was "it's up in the North and everything will be fine by next week".

I spoke with my cousin, and while she's south of Tokyo, she said it was the most horrifying thing she's ever experienced, that the aftershocks kept swaying her building enough for her to feel motion sickness.

Now, living in an earthquake zone that is sorely overdue for a "big one", I think we'll have a much harder time grappling with it and picking ourselves up because we've never had to deal with anything to that level before.

[NbyNW]

I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.

I agree. Plus I do think that we've seen many cases in different parts of the world where a crisis can bring out the best in people.

At the same time, there is much we can learn from how the Japanese prepare for and respond to earthquakes. As a culture they have a long history with these major events and have made earthquake readiness a top priority. As bad as things are, it seems that it could have been much, much worse.

We have a different history, and a different collective memory about natural disasters in the U.S. Different geography, frequency and type of events. I'm as guilty as anyone about not having my emergency preparedness kit ready. I believe many communities have emergency plans, but how aware of them are the average Joe/Jane?

[Mr. Bloom]

Your comments about "our culture" are not accurate.

A very fair observation. While typing my comments, I kept thinking of New Yorkers' response to 9/11; I forgot about Nashville...but I suppose that proves your point.

You (and lph) are right. There are strengths to celebrate in each society...and to be fair, I do find some aspects of Japanese society challenging.

So, when we fail, why is it?

[limewave]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvYdG18jJM
:)

[NbyNW]

So, when we fail, why is it?

What do you consider to be failure?

Or put another way, when is something a non-failure, or dare I say -- success?

[Trek420]

I admire Japanese culture and people enough to train in their art of Aikido for many years. I think in some ways that gives me insight to their culture. In some ways I enter the culture each time I open a dojo door and bow

But I'm an American. We had heroes in Katrina too. And we lost a lot, a culture and way of life. :(

"What made me stay was the old people. I just realized that nobody else in here could have gotten those people out. They would have sat in here for five more days. And they didn't have five more days."

http://blog.nola.com/elizabethmullener/2007/03/john_keller_was_hanging_out.html

[shootingstar]

It's really hard to gauge the situation from so far for a different culture.

And there are differences among different generations of Japanese --those who have directly experienced the horror of WW II (and blaming) vs. those who must deal with family members who experienced negative effects vs. the generation who never lived through it.

It is really tough to be organized or not to be too terrified under a major natural and man-made (radiation) disaster. It's impressive for any society/country to even function even if limping along, without attacking one another out of desperation for food, water, etc. It's impressive if there isn't much widespread looting.

I am not so sure though being "stoic" is the best. It's ok for short-term survival. But to be stoic for a long time can be stressful particularily if one has witnessed sudden/unexpected death (which often is traumatic)/experienced unexpected, premature deaths of loved ones. Sometimes the long-term stoicness can easily manifest into other less positive behaviours...

Unless the person has undergone a long inner journey of reconciliation with the past with the present and for future growth. And talking about or expiating the memory of tragedy in a non-hurtful way to anyone. Or allow catharsis of painful memory but directed in similar way. It's a long, long journey.

At this time, it's the radiation fall-out that is disconcerting. We will not know until many years later the real story. And we shall read stories that haunt when they emerge from all this for years to come.

Yea, this is all mumble-jumble.

[Crankin]

No, it's not Shootingstar.
First of all, the Japanese have more of a collectivist culture, as opposed to our "individualistic" one. So, the attitude that you noted, Mr. B. is a reflection of that.
But sometimes, there is a high price for stoicism and putting up a good front for the good of the group. I don't want to make statements about a culture I am not a part of. My statements are based on lots of case studies I did in my culture of identity and oppression course, as well as formerly living in a community that has at least a 15% Asian population. My kids saw a lot of their friends crack under the pressure. It wasn't fun when my 20 year old son had to call his friend's parents from college to tell them she was in the emergency room because she tried to kill herself.
It's very true that the Japanese are way more prepared for this type of emergency than we are.

[PamNY]

So, when we fail, why is it?

Well, thinking of Katrina and Nashville, the smart aleck in me wants to say "because we created the Army Corps of Engineers."

But that's probably not what you meant.

Is the U.S., overall, a failure at handling disasters? I wouldn't say so. I don't have much knowledge of how other cultures would be different.

Crankin made an important point about collectivist versus individualist cultures. Our individualism might be both a strength and a weakness in disasters. Certainly Americans are generous with donations and volunteerism; that is probably a function of individualism.

At the same time, Americans might be more pushy and demanding, and some of that could come out as criminal behavior.

An aside: I was scornful about people who raised a fuss over air quality and government inaction in that regard after 9/11; now, of course, we know they were right. There's a Spiriva inhaler on my kitchen counter (not for me) as a reminder.

I almost think we shouldn't be discussing this while the situation in Japan is so grave, and many people don't even know if their loved ones are (or will be) safe. My thoughts are with everyone who is affected. Their well-being is all that matters right now.

[Trek420]

I almost think we shouldn't be discussing this while the situation in Japan is so grave, and many people don't even know if their loved ones are (or will be) safe. My thoughts are with everyone who is affected. Their well-being is all that matters right now.

When we wake up look around at our home, work, community. Lucky, huh? The Japanese people have lost so much.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

Instead of debating why or if they are able to handle things better than we let's lend our unique talents/skills to aide them.

I know they'd do the same WHEN not if disaster strikes us.

[NbyNW]

I'm not sure I would characterize the relative calm and civility as stoicism. And certainly some suppression goes on as a coping mechanism in an extraordinarily stressful situation.

Not everyone thinks that going into survival mode means you have to step on the person next to you. Especially when you know that there are others who are still in immediate danger or have suffered far worse. So maybe the people who are queuing up for food are grateful to be out of immediate danger and for the companionship and support of the person next to them in line.

I would venture to guess that there is a certain amount of psychological preparedness that exists in Japanese culture, beyond all of the building codes and warning systems and emergency responders. For example, I'm given to understand that kids in Japan do drills on a regular basis on what to do in the event of an earthquake. So it's indoctrinated what to do: how to protect your body while the shaking is going on, when it's safe to move to another location and where the designated safe place is in your community (might even be their school). Maybe if you're brought up with that kind of preparation you are less likely to panic anad become emotional when you are hit with a big seismic event.

[smilingcat]

Thank you all for your concern. My uncle managed to call my mother on Sunday. He said they had no water or electricity for about 24 hours. By the time he called, basic service has returned. The local train still isn't running.

My aunt with severe Arthritis was holding or rather hugging a tree for her dear life for about 5 minutes while the ground shook violently. I'm just amazed that neither of them suffered heart attack or stress related injury. I think my mother is going to be calling this weekend to see how things are going.

Yes, the Japanese culture is monolithic. For the trekkie generation, think of Japanese society as the Borgs. There is positive aspect to the monolithic nature but along with it a very dark side too. Think of WW II, think of the kamikaze pilots. They didn't volunteer, they were drafted. Most accepted the fate because it is the Japanese way. There is a concept called shibui. it's not easy for me to translate. One meaning is willingness to tolerate great pain physical and emotional. And to accept it shows ones self discipline. Self discipline is central in Japanese culture. I remember in elementary school, we were doing caligraphy with sumi brush. On that day, parents were invited to their children's class. My mother was back there along with all the other mothers. When my teacher came by she made some praises. I was so proud I turned to show it to my mother. When I got home I was scolded. Said she was embarrassed with my behavior. Other kids didn't turn around to show the brush stroke. OOPS!! What I did was considered arrogance.

The Japanese became so monolithic is that we are isolated to begin with. Habitable land area of Japan is less than 10% of the total land area and people had to live in close proximity. And only way the society survived was to become monolithic without people doing their own thing.

As far as looting. You do not want to commit crime in Japan. Arrest rate is well over 90% conviction rate is almost 100%. You WILL do time in Japan. But the biggest factor stopping the looting is family honor. You could do stupid things but oh my if you commit a crime, your family will disown you completely. Bringing shame to family is not tolerated.

[NbyNW]

So glad that your aunt and uncle have finally gotten in touch!

[jelee1311]

I can only speculate about Japanese culture never having lived there myself,in lots of the pictures I saw the people in them did seem surprisingly calm.We have plenty of people here who care. My best friend is waiting to find out when she can go help. She's a doctor and works with International Reilief Teams out of SanDiego. She was in Gulfport,Mississippi after Katrina and paid for everything(including her disposable gloves)herself or with help from friends and family. IRT is still assesing needs there and won't be sending Medical teams until the nuclear threat is over. So there are some really amazing people here that will be going there to help and I plan on lending her support in any way I can

[Mr. Bloom]

Smilingcat: I'm so pleased to hear that there is contact with your family and that they are doing as well as we might hope, given the circumstances. I also thank you for sharing your experience and perspectives.

I also appreciate the other comments as well. I don't mean to imply that "we" don't have heroes, but maybe that we actually "need" heroes in crisis more than others...I don't know...

I hope I'd rise to the challenge if tested like these people are being tested right now...

[PamNY]

Smilingcat, I am so glad you have heard from your relatives.

[spokewench]

Smiling Cat - so glad you know your family is okay

[Trek420]

Smilingcat, I am glad to hear that your family is ok. I've always thought it's good to be a tree hugger :D

Right now on Plus 3, they are matching, at $10 to $1 any Activity you enter this week and tag with the word Japan. Those of us already on Plus3 it's time to log those miles. Not registered yet?

http://www.plus3network.com/

[crazycanuck]

Oh dear..It's getting way way too close for friends of ours living on the Shizuoka peninsula...Yikes...

Another person I know just recently moved back to the UK and her husband's about to join her.

Oh dear...

[Jolt]

But I'm an American. We had heroes in Katrina too. And we lost a lot, a culture and way of life. :(

"What made me stay was the old people. I just realized that nobody else in here could have gotten those people out. They would have sat in here for five more days. And they didn't have five more days."

http://blog.nola.com/elizabethmullener/2007/03/john_keller_was_hanging_out.html

What an amazing story! Makes me think about how I would respond in a situation like that...unfortunately I would not have been nearly as useful in his situation with all the thugs etc. being a 5'2", 110-lb female... Kudos to him for staying and taking care of those who could not take care of themselves.

[shootingstar]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/for-many-who-fled-danger-in-japan-the-nightmare-continues/article1944838/

Just nightmarish the journey of folks running hither thither to escape.:(

It does make one wonder if this crisis will rectivate the whole debate if nuclear power is even a safe source of power at any time.

[shootingstar]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/for-many-who-fled-danger-in-japan-the-nightmare-continues/article1944838/

Just nightmarish the journey of folks running hither thither to escape.:(

It does make one wonder if this crisis will rectivate the whole debate if nuclear power is even a safe source of power at any time. I'm noticing how it's fading abit from the news... The crisis isn't over!

[Trek420]

Plus 3 raised $5,000 in A Day and a Half!!! So the match is made. I presume people can still keep inputting their miles/hours this week, just won't be matched by the generous anonymous donor.

Tag it "Japan" so it's credited for donations to the Red Cross.

[NbyNW]

It does make one wonder if this crisis will rectivate the whole debate if nuclear power is even a safe source of power at any time. I'm noticing how it's fading abit from the news... The crisis isn't over!

I don't get the sense that it's fading from the news at all. We must be reading very different news sources.

[Trek420]

Me neither. Realizing people are most important but could not get these two out of my mind. Glad to hear they got vet care:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/dog-in-japan-stays-by-the-side-of-its-ailing-friend-in-the-rubble

[shootingstar]

This is an account of a Japanese-American ..ready to leave when earthquake occurred.
http://liztagami.wordpress.com/

[sundial]

It looks as though radioactive levels continue to climb and people as far away as Tokyo are being warned to leave. :( :(

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/does-the-japan-government-know-more-than-it-s-saying-1.349669

[Trek420]

This is an account of a Japanese-American ..ready to leave when earthquake occurred.
http://liztagami.wordpress.com/

Very interesting report. Thanks for sharing it. What impresses me is not that the writer was prepared (while she did know and share with other passengers and readers some good safety info such as heading to a sturdy wall, the ol' duck, cover and hold thing drill ...) but what is trully impressive is the Japanese preparation. Sounds like they have pre-recorded announcements or have trained announcers to tell people to "stay away from the bleeping windows. What are you thinking running to them???" Wow.

You see them bringing blankets, water, food out to the passengers? This does not just happen. It means that they are prepared at major centers to house, feed and shelter people in case of a major emergency.

This takes major planning for a building as large and complex as an airport.

If you work in an office or for any company does yours have a safety plan? Do you?

I know I don't do enough and I'm in a fault zone :( better rotate the water supply at least. :o

[PamNY]

I keep thinking of the people who are working on the nuclear facility. They are very brave.

That was interesting, Shootingstar, thanks.

[Mr. Bloom]

I keep thinking of the people who are working on the nuclear facility.

I agree, but in a country whose manufacturing is based on robotics, I'm surprised that haven't found a way to motorized a water cannon...but it's easy to assess their approach from a sofa 9,000 miles away:rolleyes:

[OakLeaf]

Very thoughtful reading, on the topic of the thread title:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-the-myth-of-the-panicking-disaster-victim-2245014.html

[PamNY]

Very thoughtful reading, on the topic of the thread title:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-the-myth-of-the-panicking-disaster-victim-2245014.html

That is an excellent piece; thanks. I will share that with several people.

[crazycanuck]

Perhaps puruse the IAEA site http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

[PamNY]

I agree, but in a country whose manufacturing is based on robotics, I'm surprised that haven't found a way to motorized a water cannon...but it's easy to assess their approach from a sofa 9,000 miles away:rolleyes:

Here's an article from Salon (http://www.salon.com/news/japan_earthquake/index.html?story=/news/feature/2011/03/17/japan_fukushima_nuclear_robots) on that very topic.

It's lightweight, but interesting (considering it was probably written by a guy on a sofa 9,000 miles away).

[Trek420]

I agree, but in a country whose manufacturing is based on robotics, I'm surprised that haven't found a way to motorized a water cannon...but it's easy to assess their approach from a sofa 9,000 miles away:rolleyes:

Even if they did have a 'bot part of the challenge in addition to the quake, tsunami damage the power is out .... at the power plant. So nothing to plug the 'bot into :confused: or anything else they've needed to solve the problem traditional ways.

I hear they got power back at least one of the 4 damaged plants. Now to hope the lines, infrastructure etc inside the plants still work. :o

[badger]

my mother is leaving for Japan on Monday for a 3 months, she bought the ticket in January. Both my brother and I have asked her to postpone leaving for a couple of weeks, but she's very fatalistic saying she can't live her life in fear. Still...

My co-worker was speaking to her friend in Tokyo. She's house bound, as they are telling people to stay indoors. I was saying I'd be leaving, but those people are stuck - stores are closed, trains aren't running, and people are lining up for hours to get gas and they're only allowed 10L.

And that footage of the dogs is just heartbreaking.

God, the tsunami was bad enough, it's just getting worse and worse.

[smilingcat]

I keep thinking of the people who are working on the nuclear facility. They are very brave.

That was interesting, Shootingstar, thanks.

It isn't a matte of bravery or not. The workers who are the walking dead know that they will die soon maybe a month, two... maybe a year from now...

They may have volunteered.

They may have been asked. If you were asked to do this job, you can not turn it down from cultural standpoint. To refuse, implies you are selfish and self centered and not thinking for the good of all. Your honor is tarnished and so is your family.

My heart goes out to the walking dead. They are doing this to save their loved ones, their neighbor, their way of life. If I lived in Japan and if my expertise was in nuclear power, I would seriously consider volunteering. I don't have kids, Only family I have is my elderly mother, my sister and her three children and I'm already in my 50's. I've had a good life. This is the strength of the Japanese culture.

smilingcat

[lph]

.... :eek:

Oh my. That very clearly highlights the difference in culture. That is very impressive, but to me also quite disturbing.

I pray that they succeed in their efforts. I hope they feel it was worth the sacrifice. I hope they know that a whole world is watching, and waiting for better news.

[Mr. Bloom]

.... :eek:

Oh my. That very clearly highlights the difference in culture. That is very impressive, but to me also quite disturbing.


I agree. Interesting the change this casts on the dialogue...the very attribute we were applauding becomes disturbing when viewed in the extreme...

[OakLeaf]

Oh my. That very clearly highlights the difference in culture. That is very impressive, but to me also quite disturbing.

I don't know. Remember how many people did the same thing at Chernobyl. And (granted that the risks were different and to some extent unknown) at the World Trade Center site.

Did you read the Johann Hari piece I linked to?

The volunteers are amazing, commendable, there's no adjective too extreme for what they're doing. But I don't know that they're uniquely Japanese.

[lph]

I don't know. Remember how many people did the same thing at Chernobyl. And (granted that the risks were different and to some extent unknown) at the World Trade Center site.

Did you read the Johann Hari piece I linked to?

The volunteers are amazing, commendable, there's no adjective too extreme for what they're doing. But I don't know that they're uniquely Japanese.

Not yet, I'll read it later. I was thinking not of volunteering as such, but of the mindset that not accepting would mean dishonour of you and your family. I won't elaborate, I know far too little about it.

[shootingstar]

It isn't a matte of bravery or not. The workers who are the walking dead know that they will die soon maybe a month, two... maybe a year from now...

They may have volunteered.

They may have been asked. If you were asked to do this job, you can not turn it down from cultural standpoint. To refuse, implies you are selfish and self centered and not thinking for the good of all. Your honor is tarnished and so is your family.

My heart goes out to the walking dead. They are doing this to save their loved ones, their neighbor, their way of life. If I lived in Japan and if my expertise was in nuclear power, I would seriously consider volunteering. I don't have kids, Only family I have is my elderly mother, my sister and her three children and I'm already in my 50's. I've had a good life. This is the strength of the Japanese culture.

smilingcat

I think this attitude of what some, (stress some) Japanese might do to volunteer for something deadly as self-sacrifice, is something to me personally, what distinguishes "traditional" Chinese cultural thinking from Japanese. I mean there is a Japanese word for this.

It's very sad, smiling cat.

I'm sorry, after losing 2 family members to suicide for completely different reasons, this form of self-sacrifice is not something I agree. The mothers in their anguished grief for the kamikaze son-pilots who died in WWII... by willingly gunning and running their planes into enemy planes or into the ground at instant death.

I guess it's no different from serving in war willingly. Though the difference is that the latter is always the possiblity you will kill /maim civilians not the "enemy" army/navy member on the other side. Dousing a nuclear blown out plant, you're not intentionally hurting anyone,...just yourself....

[Crankin]

It's very hard for me to understand how some can do this. I know it's cultural and thus, I won't comment more, because, of course, I am not Japanese. I wouldn't do anything where I was knowingly putting myself in this position. Yes, it's selfish in the eyes of a different viewpoint and I totally understand that.
This was the main argument I had with my son when he joined the military. Why would you do something that intentionally put yourself in harm's way, when you don't have to? Of course, now that he's married, I think he is starting to see this from a different viewpoint.

[NbyNW]

Interesting account of a man who recalls his experience with the Three Mile Island meltdown. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-03-17/three-mile-island-worker-on-how-he-survived-nuclear-catastrophe/?cid=hp:mainpromo3)

[OakLeaf]

I really think the thread title is appropriate, that this is about the strength of humanity in crisis, not about the strength of Japanese people distinct from other cultures. From yesterday's LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-quake-radiation-workers-20110318,0,4400319,full.story):


examples of heroism are common in such situations, said Dr. Fred Mettler, a University of New Mexico radiologist and advisor to the U.N. on radiation safety.

At one point during the Chernobyl disaster, he said, workers were conferring about how much water was in one reactor pool. No one knew the answer and their instruments couldn't tell them, he said. "An Armenian engineer slipped out and came back in 30 minutes. He said, 'There's 3 feet of water,' " Mettler said. "He did that on his own."

The engineer died soon after of acute radiation poisoning.

And the American man at TMI that NbyNW linked to, who is lucky to have survived - apparently health intact - but couldn't have known that going in.

[PamNY]

I don't know. Remember how many people did the same thing at Chernobyl. And (granted that the risks were different and to some extent unknown) at the World Trade Center site.

Did you read the Johann Hari piece I linked to?

The volunteers are amazing, commendable, there's no adjective too extreme for what they're doing. But I don't know that they're uniquely Japanese.

Oakleaf, I agree. Given what we've seen in other dangerous situations, I don't find it surprising that there are brave people in this one. And that takes nothing away from their bravery.

Anyone who works at a nuclear facility must have some awareness that things could go wrong.

[PamNY]

Interesting article from Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2288514/pagenum/all/#p2). Elaborates on the legal system discussed in this thread.

According to this article, an organized crime syndicate has donated 40 tons of humanitarian aid and is patrolling to maintain safety. Reminds me of stories I've heard about Brooklyn neighborhoods where the Mafia guys' mothers live.

[badger]

yeah, the notion of shame is worse than death, so you'll hear of a lot of suicides by CEOs and presidents of companies that have come under fire. I wouldn't be surprised if those in charge of the nuclear plant ends up "saving face" by killing themselves :(

[shootingstar]

I understand the bravery of someone trying to save a drowning person or person in burning a building..because one is physically grasping hold of hopefully a still live person out of danger..

This is quite different.

I just can't, folks....Earlier this month, I was talking to my 25 yr. old niece..the one who lost her mother, my sister. Though she was happy to talk briefly to me, I sensed she was ready to cry again.


It is more courageous to stay ALIVE for your children. Always think of this.

[NbyNW]

It is an understatement to say that it is unfortunate that these workers are sacrificing their health and potentially their lives to contain the radiation and get the situation under control.

But it is also very likely that if they were all to walk away from the situation, that the damage to human life and to the environment will be far greater than any of us want to think about.

There are many ethical questions whirling around this with no easy answers.

Maybe one analogy for this is an ensnared animal who chews off its own leg to save its life. Maybe like that "127 Hours" guy cut off part of his arm in order to survive.

Is it even possible to advocate that no one try to do anything about these damaged reactors, because it might be dangerous to a few individuals? The reactors will not fix themselves on their own.

Everything has a price. What is going on is beyond sad, beyond tragic. I for one am very grateful that efforts are continuing to try to contain the fallout. I don't know how, but I'm sure we'll find ways to honor the work and sacrifice of these brave, strong people.

[OakLeaf]

What NbyNW said. I'm not even a parent, but I've felt overwhelming guilt over the death of one of my dogs. Flashbacks, crying jags, months into years. If I had a child who got cancer because of radiation exposure, and I thought there was something I might have been able to do to prevent it, as well as cancers to thousands or tens of thousands of other children, at the cost of my own life ... I can't even imagine the guilt and shame.