Strength of humanity in crisis...

[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/elizabethmullen...nging_out.html

[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/elizabethmullen...nging_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/...rticle1944838/

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/...rticle1944838/

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_theloo...-in-the-rubble

[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/ja...eforeafter.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!