I am going to test my ability and reaction to news that I haven’t even read.  At least my reaction to visuals and graphic media relating to this apparent disaster.

You see, I am in an information bubble.  I only read the news I choose, for the most part.  I haven’t read a single article about the Haiti earthquake.  I haven’t seen any videos.  I haven’t seen any photographs.  My world revolves around what I have chosen to receive, because I am entirely in control of the information that comes to me, for the most part.

However what I have received is an onslaught of non-profit organizations’ emails and friends’ blog posts and friends’ facebook condolences and prayers telling me about this disaster.  They are affected.  And I am not.  I did not feel an earthquake.  None of my buildings collapsed.  I have the same access to food and water and shelter as I did yesterday and the day before and last year.  I don’t even know whether or not there really is anything to think about or worry about.  All I know are second-hand stories…

And so I’ll go and find an article, some photos, perhaps a video or two, and virtually step into another country, here in the comfort of my apartment in a warm room, dimly lit, getting ready to go to bed before I have to wake up tomorrow bright and early for another day on campus.  How will this affect me?

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Wow when I went on a webpage about the earthquake, there was a paragraph of text but when I saw the images, I was drawn in really quick.  I didn’t need to read the paragraph.  The fact that I saw people suffering and in pain, some photos of the dead, other photos of the buildings just utterly collapsed, it drew me in right away.  Seeing PEOPLE made it more real for me.  Just reading about people and their names wasn’t enough for me.  That didn’t internalize it enough.  The images, and some videos of the aftermath, have brought it close, almost to tears.

So it’s real.  And actually documented.  Countries from around the world are sending teams to help and search and rescue.  God help them to get there soon, to find a way to land and set up and to make a difference as soon as possible, before more die under the rubble or from their injuries.

This all seems pretty surreal.  I’ve gone on to my banking site to figure out how much I can give towards assistance there.. and CIDA will match every donation given through Power to Change/Global Aid Network. I’ll be praying tonight as well.  These are tangible ways to affect change directly.

And yet, tonight I’ll be going to bed, and the night will be quiet, my sleep likely undisturbed.  God help me not to move on.

Also read http://www.challies.com/archives/articles/neil-postman-on-the-earthquake-in-haiti.php for some thoughts on virtual disconnect and the effect of technology on our ability to internalize and bring change to what we find out about through the web.