FA+
Shop
Important things you should know about the Boston Bombings.
12 years ago
I'm not going to write profusely about the Boston bombings because it takes me a long time to really decide what it is I'm going to write, if anything. It is a singular tragedy that our nation has in its focus, but I feel we abandon the everyday tragedies for the exceptional. We should bring our collective skills to bear on those wider tragedies, of which I don't feel up to enumerating here.
But, there are two things I think everyone should know about this type of thing:
1. Fear means the terrorists win. Largely from a statistical standpoint, terrorism affects less people than say lightning, it is only because its exceptional enough to be on the news that it seems like a big thing. By and order of magnitude, more people died of car crashes on Monday than from terrorist bombings. I cant say enough that what you should be doing is Keeping Calm and Carrying On.
2. Mr. Rogers used to say, "Look for the helpers. You'll always find people who are helping." You can see this in the video from near the finish line, the bomb goes off and people rush in to help, not just the police, the fire department, the EMTs, but ordinary and extrodinary people rush in to help. Even some of the news photographers abandoned their quest for the perfect shot and became part of the story. I personally think no matter how bad things get people will work towards the greater good.
Its so horrible! But what can I do, you ask?
1. Learn. Learn first aid and CPR, the Red Cross offers these classes for a small fee, or you may be able to get them through your employer, church or put together a group of friends who want to learn. Learn how to avoid the common killers, road crashes, and the like... learn to help people.
2. Volunteer. There are hundreds of organizations out there that could use your help, and I don't just mean homeless shelters and the red cross. But many volunteer organizations, even helping furry conventions helps us all. Help others.
3. Make rational decisions. Out of fear people make irrational decisions, this often leads to even worse outcomes. Do we stop flying because of a plane crash? You are thousands of times more likely to die driving to and from the airport than on that plane. Do we stop running marathons because one got bombed. We are Americans, we should not submit to the whims of some fanatical terrorists, foreign or domestic. We refuse to be terrorized.
4. Read and discuss. Through learning about the threat and talking about it openly, we will all learn more about how it affects us and how we can use it to make us stronger.
Start here:
http://www.popehat.com/2013/04/16/r.....t-our-apology/
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archiv.....l_thought.html
But, there are two things I think everyone should know about this type of thing:
1. Fear means the terrorists win. Largely from a statistical standpoint, terrorism affects less people than say lightning, it is only because its exceptional enough to be on the news that it seems like a big thing. By and order of magnitude, more people died of car crashes on Monday than from terrorist bombings. I cant say enough that what you should be doing is Keeping Calm and Carrying On.
2. Mr. Rogers used to say, "Look for the helpers. You'll always find people who are helping." You can see this in the video from near the finish line, the bomb goes off and people rush in to help, not just the police, the fire department, the EMTs, but ordinary and extrodinary people rush in to help. Even some of the news photographers abandoned their quest for the perfect shot and became part of the story. I personally think no matter how bad things get people will work towards the greater good.
Its so horrible! But what can I do, you ask?
1. Learn. Learn first aid and CPR, the Red Cross offers these classes for a small fee, or you may be able to get them through your employer, church or put together a group of friends who want to learn. Learn how to avoid the common killers, road crashes, and the like... learn to help people.
2. Volunteer. There are hundreds of organizations out there that could use your help, and I don't just mean homeless shelters and the red cross. But many volunteer organizations, even helping furry conventions helps us all. Help others.
3. Make rational decisions. Out of fear people make irrational decisions, this often leads to even worse outcomes. Do we stop flying because of a plane crash? You are thousands of times more likely to die driving to and from the airport than on that plane. Do we stop running marathons because one got bombed. We are Americans, we should not submit to the whims of some fanatical terrorists, foreign or domestic. We refuse to be terrorized.
4. Read and discuss. Through learning about the threat and talking about it openly, we will all learn more about how it affects us and how we can use it to make us stronger.
Start here:
http://www.popehat.com/2013/04/16/r.....t-our-apology/
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archiv.....l_thought.html
Stay safe, stay strong. We can get through this together.
I saw this twitter tweet saying something about "The bombings have made me sad"
and then I replied, "Looks like the terrorists have accomplished their goals."
The proper reply to terrorism is closer to "We are America, your culture will be assimilated into our own."
The fact is, ever since Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist bombings really have never been the same for me. It sets the bar, and this Chicago bombing doesn't even reach it.