Abstract This essay explores the conventional consensus that the human coping capacity under the stress of catastrophic or disastrous events was determined primarily, if not solely, by the nature of the traumatic event before the twentieth century. This paper examines how this belief failed to take into consideration the fact that different individuals in many instances exhibit very differing reactive behaviors to similar situations. The author contends that this failure to recognize the factors that cause one individual to react one particular way in the face of disaster while another reacts in a widely opposing manner under similar circumstances, tends to group catastrophic reactive behavior into one generic and somewhat narrow category.
Table of contents
The Range of Reactive Behavior
Early Reactive Behavior Research
Early Findings Concerning Coping Ability & Catastrophe Recent Research - The Full Scope of Reactions Realized
Future Research - Concepts of Control & Counter-Conditioning
Coping With the Twenty-First Century
From the Paper ?In the early decades of the twentieth century, Sigmund Freud introduced the world of psychology to the concept of narcissism as applied to self-esteem and individual equilibrium. Freud was intrigued by the general idea and psychological implications of narcissism, a condition that Sam Vaknin later clarified as not an actual love for one's "true self", but instead one's love of a perceived reflection or image of one's self (1999, PG). In his posited theory of narcissism, first voiced in 1914, Freud presented the idea that it is a necessity for individuals to "maintain a positive sense of self" and that this process was normally accomplished through the act of "engaging in ego-defensive behavior in order to preserve self-esteem" (Brown, 1997, p. 643). ?
Abstract This paper was written for an English class in which we had to research the meaning and the origin of an English word.
From the Paper "It was not until 1579 that catastrophe first appeared in written English. British poet Edmund Spenser[1] in his poem entitled "The shepheardes calendar" first used catastrophe in the sentence ?this tale is much like to that in Aesops fables, but the catastrophe and ende is farre different.? According to the Oxford English Dictionary the first meaning of the word catastrophe in English, as used in the quote from Spender's poem, was ?The change or revolution which produces the conclusion or final event of a dramatic piece.? Over time the word catastrophe grew in usage, but while there were slight changes in its meaning, the word still has the same meaning today as back in 1579."
Abstract This paper attempts to understand how people respond to technological disasters as opposed to natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. It examines two specific instances of such a catastrophe, the Exxon Valdez wreck and the Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdown. It evaluates the psychological aspect of the way in which people prepare for catastrophes since technological disasters are human created and we understand when faced with them that we are (at least as a species if not as individuals) responsible for their occurrence. It looks at how these two specific incidents were chosen because they were thoroughly witnessed and documented, allowing us to examine how individuals, communities and social institutions ? including governments ? have responded in the case of such accidents. It evaluates how both of these disasters were embedded in political, social and economic contexts and how they would not have occurred if the historical events leading up to them had been different.
From the Paper "Susan Cutter, in her book Living with Risk, suggests that public response to technological hazards is often ambiguous, resulting in over-reaction, under-reaction, and often no reaction at all. People have learned to prepare for and how to respond to tornadoes (for example). They know where tornadoes may be expected to occur, during what time of the year, what kind of weather produces them, how they sound when they are approaching. People have learned what an individual can do to increase his or her chances of survival, including having access to an underground shelter and seek that shelter rapidly when bad weather threatens."
Abstract This paper discusses the diplomatic tug-of-war that followed the January 2000 cyanide spill that began in Romania and entered the Tisza River in Hungary through the greater Danube River system. The paper shows that throughout the affair, both Romania and Hungary emphasized the need for clear, defined international legal agreements that would govern responsibility in the case of a transboundary environmental catastrophe. It also shows how, Romania used the absence of such an agreement to defend its position that it was free of liability in the matter.
From the Paper "The Tisza River catastrophe, aside from yielding irreversible ecological damage to the river basin area, has had severe repercussions for Romanian-Hungarian relations. While Romania and Hungary, both with designs on joining the European Union and attracting increased foreign investment, attempted to create an image of cooperation in dealing with the disaster, relations between the two countries became strained over issues of blame. The Hungarian government was vague in its demand for compensation, noting that it might not be able to hold the Austrian firm involved in the spill directly responsible. Even Hungary's position on whether to sue Romania was initially uncertain. A desire to promote an international image of stability led both countries to downplay the disaster and cloak the international dispute, but at the same time the Hungarian government had to contend with an outraged Hungarian population."
Tags: eastern, europe, Esmeralda, Exploration, AURUL, Baia, Mare
Abstract This paper examines how developing countries are particularly vulnerable to industrial crises and how, even though they often lack the infrastructure that is required to maintain sufficient technology, they are eager to set up modern industries. It looks at how, in many cases, since the local community is not well-informed and because the country of interest lacks the legal means to address environmental impacts of a certain industry, those companies take advantage of that fact and often, in order to cut down the costs even further, don?t implement safety and environmental protection measures that are mandatory in the country of origin. It uses, as an example, the Bhopal catastrophe in central India when thousands of people were killed and injured in 1984 from a chemical leak.
Outline
Background
The Chronology of a Disaster
Tragedy Analysis
The Aftermath
Conclusions
From the Paper "When the sun came up on the city of Bhopal, the day after the incident, the tragedy was far from over. The catastrophe hasn?t ended with the 3,800 and 11,000 permanently injured. The death toll from the incident, as a result of the exposure to the MIC and other vapors is still rising. According to the Welfare Commissioner's office in Bhopal at least 5325 people have died due to Union Carbide's poison gases until December 1992. Unofficial reports claim that until 1996, 16,000 people died of long-term health problems due to the exposure. From then on, 10-15 people are dying every month due to health complications that followed the exposure."
This paper discusses director Danny Boyle's 2003 movie, ?28 Days Later?, an insightful reflection of societal fears of bioterrorism, terrorism, and catastrophic warfare.
Abstract This paper explains that, through his effective use of story structure, characterization, cinematography, and theme, Boyle creates the fictional post-apocalyptic world of ?28 Days Later?, which is characterized by brutality brought on by man's unthinking arrogance, playing out some of society's worst fears about warfare and terrorism. The author points out that the fear of "playing God" and the repercussions, which appear in the film, have been seen in literature and movies that trace back to Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" and to similar movies, such as ?12 Monkeys?. The paper relates that the juxtaposition of the post-apocalyptic emptiness of London, with many viewer's recollections or projections of the familiarly busy bustle of London streets, provides one of the most shocking visual reminders of the impact of terrorism and catastrophic warfare.
From the Paper "In recent years, the world has been rocked by the growth of fears over a diverse set of growing threats to global political and economic stability and world health. The tragedy of September 11th brought the world into a new era of fear over terrorist acts. Since then, public uneasiness has only been heightened by the train bombings in Madrid, the Bali bombings, and continued governmental appeals for constant vigilance against terrorism. The fear of bioterrorism has also grown in recent years, with the release of sarin nerve gas on a Tokyo subway, and the presence of anthrax in the US mail. Adding to this climate of fear was President Bush's assertion that Iraq possessed of weapons of mass destruction (including biological weapons), an assertion that provided a justification for the Bush administration's entry into Iraq. Today, societal fears of catastrophic warfare that took root during the Cold War era continue to escalate, as tensions in the Middle East deepen."
Tags: plot, cinematography, characters, documentary, video
Abstract This paper explains that, in "Candide", Voltaire, using satirical tools of blunt exaggeration combined with rapier wit, through the innocent eyes of his hapless title character, travels the world after having been turned unjustly out of his stately Westphalian home, encountering one catastrophe after another. The author points out that one of Voltaire's favorite comical devices is to restore the character to life by a series of highly detailed, yet utterly nonsensical circumstances, similar to modern-day TV soap operas. The paper states that Voltaire seems to conclude that honest work may be a cure for the wild ambition, deadly intrigues and nonsensical religious posturing of the day.
From the Paper "Voltaire, of course, leaves it to the reader to decipher the comical (and mind-boggling) backwardness of the worldview of this simpleton sage. Then, some time after the castle has been ravaged and they have all been forced to flee, Candide encounters Pangloss, his health obviously broken and pathetic. Pangloss, recalling for Candide's benefit "Pacquette, that pretty wench who waited on our noble baroness" when they were all back at the castle together, explains his condition in considerable - and bawdy."
Tags: satirical, exaggeration, catastrophe, nonsensical, work
Abstract This paper provides a personal response to the Jeffrey P. Brown essay "Black Body Radiation and the Ultraviolet Catastrophe". The paper examines Brown's underlying philosophies and ideological message, while critiquing his conclusions.
From the Paper "We live in an era that has replaced the Godhead with a secular focus on empiricism, science and capitalism. Our concerns are largely those of a temporal nature, based on self-interest. As a species of and in nature, we have distanced ourselves..."
Tags: religion, spirit, eternity, self-serving, compassion, sacrifice, disaster, love
Abstract The paper examines the societal, governmental and economic factors that are related to the events of 9-11 and relates the issue of disaster that created human tragedy within the literature analyzed in this study. The paper explains how by presenting two passages from each of these novels, one can realize the similarities of the Great Depression and Civil Rights Era issues that create and influence the similar objects of a catastrophe that transformed American society in the present as well as in past historical perspectives.
From the Paper "This literary study will examine the tragic events of 9/11 and the similar aspects of the human aspects of tragedy in "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison and "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. By realizing the tragic aspects of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 in Fitzgerald's novel, one can also reveal the dynamics of racism that tragically take center stage in "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison. "The Great Gatsby" is a novel based on life in the 1930's and the cultural elements of the Great Depression had become the central theme of the callousness of the rich and their lack of care for the classes that lived in poverty beneath them."
Abstract The paper describes how global warming has been accelerating at an unprecedented rate and its effects can be seen in the recent weather changes and natural catastrophes. The paper explains the causes of global warming and presents the various solutions. The paper points out the irony that although the U.S. and Australia are already paying the price for excessive carbon dioxide emissions, these two nations are still resistant to even the relatively moderate long-term reductions proposed by the Kyoto Protocol.
From the Paper "The causes of this accelerated global warming of the earth's atmosphere are both simple and complex. The simple reason is that our overuse of fossil fuels in industrial, affluent, and increasingly populated nations and the release of excess effluvia of CO2 into earth's atmosphere is affecting the thermostatic temperature balance of the globe. That is the simple cause. The complex, interrelated causes have to do with our dependence on these fossil fuels and the local, regional and national economic interests of a free-market economy that causes tensions between developed nations (and between developed and underdeveloped nations) and the special interest groups whose relatively short term economic goals are taking precedent over immediate and pressing global concerns."
A look at James Howard Kunstler's book, "The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of the Oil Age, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century".
Abstract The paper discusses James Howard Kunstler's belief that because the world will run out of cheap oil in the foreseeable future, wars will be inevitable. The paper looks at his terribly gloomy predictions of social chaos and planetary catastrophe. The paper points out, however, that Kunstler does offer some compelling scientific facts about the upcoming end of cheap oil and of global warming issues that pose serious danger to the welfare of people and wildlife.
From the Paper "Kunstler's critics accuse him of being an alarmist, and he certainly is one; that's his whole point, that the alarm needs to be sounded, and since nobody else is doing it, he may as well grab the microphone. He is basically saying, brace yourselves citizens, our society will fall, each component of it, one by one, like dominos, and there is little that we can do about it. He rails over and over about the "prodigious, unparalleled misallocation of resources" that is today's city suburbs. Without cheap oil, the suburb dynamic "simply won't work," and cannot be replaced because it is "unreformable and does not lend itself to being retrofitted... [and] as the suburbs disintegrate, we will be lucky if we can reconstitute our existing traditional towns and cities brick by brick and street by street.""
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that Naomi Klein's 'The Shock Doctrine' outlines the controversy behind capitalistic governmental actions taken in times of great need. The writer discusses that in her chapter "Disaster Apartheid: A World of Green Zones and Red Zones," Klein strongly critiques the handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster by the United States government. The writer points out that Klein's writing analyzes the individual mistreatments of the catastrophic situation and argues against the profit incentive procedures taken throughout the relief efforts. The writer maintains that although Naomi Klein's piece is very persuasive, she persuades unfairly through the use of misleading comparisons and one-sided claims that inaccurately inform the reader. The writer concludes that Naomi Klein's strong liberal and progressive ideas as a politically active journalist transform her informative piece to a misleading perspective on the United States government handling of disaster reconstruction.
From the Paper "Naomi Klein interprets the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe for the many flaws in the actions taken by the government in prevention, survival, and rehabilitation in New Orleans. She points out the lack of planning that allowed the effects of the hurricane to have impact of such magnitude while criticizing efforts made towards evacuation. Her writing argues the segregation of classes in New Orleans, allowing the middle and upper classes to drive to safety while the predominately black lower class was left helpless. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina show other mishandlings of the fragile situation by the government. Federal and state organizations distributed power amongst private, profit based, contracted companies and allowed for a shift towards profit incentive instead of rehabilitation. The destruction of homes, neighborhoods, and schools gave light for new gated communities and privately run boarding schools, while the poor were left nothing."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the Permian and Cretaceous-Tertiary periods of life on Earth - pre-historic forms of life from sea creatures to land and air creatures. During both of these periods, mass extinction occurred and a comparison of these two extinctions is documented in this paper.
From the paper:
"From the perspective of daily human life, we often think of tragedy on the level of individual death and destruction, and the concept of mass extinction as being confined to a species or at worst, an ecosystem. However, over the course of the existence of the earth, the planet has weathered many greater catastrophes. Geologists must take a much longer-term perspective of catastrophe when studying extinction. This paper will compare and contrast the Permian and Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinctions."
Abstract This paper examines how the Black Death of 1348 forms the background to Boccaccio's "Decameron"; a group of ten young high-born citizens of Florence - seven women and three men - flee the city to escape the disease and take refuge in the villas outside the city walls. It looks at how "The Decameron" arises from and reflects a society afflicted by the overwhelming catastrophe of the Black Death, a catastrophe which, in the 1340s, reduced the population of the city by up to one-half and severely affected every aspect of Florentine life.
From the Paper "That satirical criticism is clear in the second novel of the first day, in which Neifile tells the story of Abraham, a Jew who, at the instance of a friend, Jehannot, who is trying to convert him to Christianity, decides to 'go to Rome, and there observe the man whom you call the vicar of God on earth, and examine his life and habits together with those of his fellow cardinals' (Boccaccio, 38). This prospect alarms Jehannot: 'if he goes to the court of Rome and sees what foul and wicked lives the clergy lead, not only will he not become a Christian, but, if he had already turned Christian, he would become a Jew again without fail' (Boccaccio, 39). This passage is interesting in taking for granted that the listeners to the story, and of course the readers, share the opinion of Jehannot and the narrator that Rome is a place of iniquity and that the clergy there live foul lives inconsistent with the supposed teachings and values of Christianity."
Abstract In this article, the writer establishes a business continuity plan for a software company. The plan encompasses emergency procedures in the event of a significant breach of security or catastrophic loss of system capabilities due to the same. Additionally, it also incorporates emergency procedures in the event of catastrophic loss of systems and services due to natural or physical disasters such as earthquake or fire.
Outline:
Abstract
Overview
Preparation Planning and Operations
Immediate Response Steps
Computer Software & Equipment
Communications
Emergency Declaration Activities
Calling/Notification Tree
Alternate Site Information
Transportation/Relocation
Alternate Site Facilities
Restore Functional Activities
Business Critical Processes
Returning to Normal
From the Paper "Any information and technology (IT) company requires a detailed and evolving business continuity plan. Data and information security in the context of an IT company are business critical activities and resources and place IT related activities at the forefront of these businesses' operations. Where IT previously fulfilled a quiet but vital support role in most organizations, it occupies an elevated importance in IT related enterprises where core strategies are formulated. Additionally, IT solutions to data and personal information security are required through state and federal laws and regulations passed recently such as SP 1386 in California, the HIPAA provisions, as well as Sarbanes-Oxley legislation targeting public corporations, to which these companies must also conform to in many cases."
