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Been thinking a lot about the current state of mankind and in particular what does it say about the so-called "first world" countries (of which the USA is the premier example) when it comes to a natural disaster such as this, in comparison, say, to the tsunami that hit "third world" Asia last December?
There, the people mourned, cleaned up the mess and quickly (and with 1st world help) got back to rebuilding their dwellings. Is that going to happen in New Orleans? Nope - first world people simply no longer have the skills to rebuild on their own, they're governed by regulations and so reliant upon and inter-connected with other people to do the "menial" taks that modern life has allowed them to put below them that when that infrastructure is taken away - what happens now? If we, as first world people are suddenly reduced to third world status, can we adapt?
Is the cost of our modern way of life that we can now no longer do the basic things like feed and shelter ourselves? Who here could build a simple shelter that wouldn't blow away in a breeze and grow sufficient food to subsist in the wake of such a disaster? If you can, I'm willing to bet your in the minority. The looting is deplorable (because the first world is all about property rights) and in a way senseless - there's not gonna be any electricity for that new widescreen TV that guy just lifted any time soon - but at the same time it's understandable; everything has suddenly been taken away from me so I want something back. Maybe he's going to barter it for food? Maybe.
As awful as the tsunami was, I have a sinking feeling that this natural disaster is going to be much, much worse because it's occurred in a place where the inhabitants are the least able of all to help themselves.
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