![]() ![]() ![]() While research and statistics get their due here, Solnit’s book speaks most eloquently through the stories of individuals.Ī young Muslim man from Pakistan, Usman Farman, who was near the collapsing towers in New York City on Sept. The research includes more than 700 studies of disasters showing that public panic is rare.Īn engaging book, full of fascinating detail, “Paradise” especially deserves a close reading by political leaders at every level, as well as the news media who cover disasters. Those who study disasters already know this, she says. “The image of the selfish, panicky, or regressively savage human being in times of disaster has little truth to it.” ![]() “In the wake of an earthquake, a bombing, or a major storm, most people are altruistic, urgently engaged in caring for themselves and those around them,” she writes. Often the “heroes” of the disasters aren’t police or other official workers, but ordinary people caught up in the event, who organize themselves to do what is needed. Looking principally at five North American disasters of the past century, Solnit finds that people caught in them generally behave remarkably well. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |