A crisis can really bring out raw emotions. In this age, we have grown accustomed to getting up-to-the-minute news updates & instant information from Google & Wiki. The online social media makes it easy to express & vent. Have we pondered on: 1. The source and validity of the updates, 2. The possibility that the updates are rehashed so some reporting agencies are seen to be with it, 3. Responsible agencies being just that, stating only what is known or can be made known at the point in time, 4. Armchair experts getting their proverbial 15 minutes, 5. Real world searches (as opposed to the top right corner of the browser) takes time, 6. Verifiying data takes time. On the social media, many have expressed hope, emphathy & words of consolation. Yet others vent. No doubt, when the desire to know goes unfulfilled it can be frustrating. But have we pondered if some of the outbursts are really helpful? Or worse, hurtful? Perhaps misdirected? Spare a thought, not only to those immediately affected by the crisis & their loved ones, but also to those who work tirelessly to help bring truth to light.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 16:58:23 +0000