3 replies to this topic

[Rogerdodger]

It is difficult to forget those tragic images coming out of Japan.
But one image which I shall never forget is the difference in the way the Japanese victims behave.
More than one video showed long lines of hungry, traumatized people politely waiting their turn for food and water and then bowing their head in respect and appreciation to the person handing out the neatly packed provisions.
What a difference in culture from what I saw after Katrina.

Kudos to Ed West of the Telegraph for noting the same.
http://blogs.telegra...oting-in-japan/

Why is there no looting in Japan?

The landscape of parts of Japan looks like the aftermath of World War Two; no industrialised country since then has suffered such a death toll. The one tiny, tiny consolation is the extent to which it shows how humanity can rally round in times of adversity, with heroic British rescue teams joining colleagues from the US and elsewhere to fly out.

And solidarity seems especially strong in Japan itself. Perhaps even more impressive than Japan’s technological power is its social strength, with supermarkets cutting prices and vending machine owners giving out free drinks as people work together to survive. Most noticeably of all, there has been no looting, and I’m not the only one curious about this.

This is quite unusual among human cultures, and it’s unlikely it would be the case in Britain. During the 2007 floods in the West Country abandoned cars were broken into and free packs of bottled water were stolen. There was looting in Chile after the earthquake last year – so much so that troops were sent in; in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina saw looting on a shocking scale.

Why do some cultures react to disaster by reverting to everyone for himself, but others – especially the Japanese – display altruism even in adversity?

[Dex]

Why do some cultures react to disaster by reverting to everyone for himself, but others – especially the Japanese – display altruism even in adversity?

Part of the answer is in your question. Japan is one culture while the USA and some other countries have subcultures.

Also, take a look at the book 'A Culture of Fear" it outlines how fear is used throughout the USA to sell products to the news.

[MaryAM]

Why do some cultures react to disaster by reverting to everyone for himself, but others – especially the Japanese – display altruism even in adversity?

Part of the answer is in your question. Japan is one culture while the USA and some other countries have subcultures.

Also, take a look at the book 'A Culture of Fear" it outlines how fear is used throughout the USA to sell products to the news.

Because they are a civilization (culturally equal) - the USA has de-evolved from western civilization into a multi curltural society - in other words we are going backwards and will ultimately go tribal. Morality no longer exists. It scares the bejeeesus out of me.
Mary Anne

[Rogerdodger]

So true.

The Fukushima 50: Not afraid to die...

Edited by Rogerdodger, 16 March 2011 - 03:09 PM.