The failure to report on this latest natural disaster in Pakistan may also have its roots in confusion and disinterest due to Islamic ideologies. However, we saw this mirrored in our own country with Katrina a similar neglect to critical images, news, and connections to global warming, as well as in the extremely limited coverage of Tennessee‘s Katrina.
The unreported news, the avoided news, and the mainstream news we get — what does all of this say about who we are as a culture? What we accept as news is comfortably attuned to denial, avoidance, and disinterest in critical current events. Deeper contemplation about current events, perhaps how we can help and evolve as a humanitarian, as a society, and as a planet, requires relevant news.
This year, subtle avoidance of the impacts of global warming prevails, but the extra moisture in the air, the disasters it creates, and other critical problems related to climate change are quite apparent to the few of us who are not determined to block our ears to these issues.
A question about the legitimacy of information in major news today and what news used to be arises. Dealing with the multidimensional human experience, we lost balance, or at least integration, in our national journalism and the standard that we once took for granted is hard to find.
Good form in media used to be about accuracy and visibility of the current issues of the day. The burnt children, tortured mothers, and insane war heroes of the Vietnam era where not hidden comfortably from our view. As we contend with natural factors derivative of man’s overconsumption and neglect, there is a sense of societal complacency leading us steadily in denial. Can we take another path before it’s too late?
For more on the worst disaster in Pakistan’s modern history and media failures to cover it and climate change, read Juan Cole’s piece with extra commentary by Joe Romm on Climate Progress.
Photo Credit: DFID – UK Department for International Development via flickr
@hn, I seriously doubt if u know what u talkin abt. U totally left the point, which is; why is there a blackout of info in the states? is it on purpose, and to what end?
But…. I knew there were floods in Pakistan even though Time magazine didn’t cover it. I don’t read Time magazine, and not everyone does. They are but one source among many.
@Gina: you knew there were floods, but how much did you know about it, how much coverage was this. this disaster was several times greater than Hurricane Katrina in many respects.
& did you read the article? bcs it wasn’t only about TIME.
I don’t remember any country running to us after Katrina or any other national disaster(including 9-11)! I understand that we are compassionate Americans… but where dies it stop? You’re worried about Pakistan….when was the last time you took a look around you. We have millions of our own home less and jobless people walking the streets of America and you’re worried that we aren’t hand feeding the same country that habors Bin Laden. This country is falling apart at the seams and we better wake up; if it’s not already to latr!
@Kevin: we got a lot of help in those disasters. despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
Who says anything about “hand feeding” Pakistan? The very fact that Pakistan is such a volatile country in an unstable region of the world is all the more reason why the media needs to cover what is going on there – especially while such an unprecedented disaster is happening. Ignoring it has impact on this country that is “falling apart at the seams.” One reason for that, if it is true, is our ignorance of the world around us.
the people of pakistan wants to support the taliban so let the taliban support them in their time of need
@todd: this is definitely an over-generalization.
Oh? I wasn’t aware that you had met with ALL the Pakistanis in the world and got a hold of their affiliation with the doesn’t-even-exist-is-an-excuse-to-invade-a-country-harbouring-nuclear-weapons Taliban. But of course there was that small incident were the US illegally invaded Iraq because of there being weapons of mass destruction, killed several people, left the country in turmoil – but left Korea alone.Gee, what could the reason for that have been? cough-oil-cough
Admit it, America kinda deserves to die. I mean, its understandable why so many would hate it. Besides being a great power consumer it has also almost destroyed/bombed many countries in the past. It has never IMPROVED the world. Only destroyed what it did not understand.
And don’t find a justification for your own racism and passivity to so many people left scattered in Pakistan.We all know how you ‘Todds’ are.
Well, Pakistan want US money, also want to burn US flag, and pro Chinese brother. China is rich country now. China can take care Pakistan as little brother. It does not hard to understand.