The tsunami: running for your life
We already know that being in the path of the tsunami was like a nightmare—the ocean coming swiftly to swallow you up along with everything in its path, inexorable, powerful, and deadly, and your only hope of survival to outrun it. But one of the details most of us probably didn’t think of was that the people most likely to be engulfed would be the elderly, who could not run fast enough.
This turns out to have been the case. The population of Japan is quite heavily weighted towards the older, too, especially in the coastal villages affected by the tsunami, where many young people have deserted the towns for the big city. It’s a ghastly thought, and it reminds me of something I always hate to watch on nature shows, even though I know it’s the way nature works: a predator eying a herd, looking for the vulnerable laggards—the old, the weak, the young—and singling them out for the kill.
It is sad to think of the old (and the young) ones trying to flee the tsunami; an extremely terrifying experience and for those who did not make it they must have felt so helpless and alone at the moment of death. Traditional Japanese culture instills a sense of fatalism, an acceptance of the uncertainties of life. The Japanese in general accept the fact of mortality more forthrightly than we in the west. To better understand the Japanese one needs to become acquainted with Shinto (note: I do not claim to completely the Japanese). Its an interesting subject.
Neo says,
“I know it’s the way nature works…”
This is true, but there is another nature, namely human nature. Human nature can be intensely cruel and capricious. Of that there is no doubt. Yet, human nature can also be benevolent, protective, and brave. Not to be chauvinistic, but that is is the role fathers, grandfathers, and uncles should teach boys. Boys need to be taught that when they become men their primary responsibility is to protect and care for women, children, and the old.
This idea was ingrained into my consciousness from an early age. Now that I am getting old (still spry, but getting old nonetheless) I still feel it is my duty, should the need arise, to protect women, children, and those older than me. IMO any man, no matter what age, who would refuse to lay down his life for the life of a pregnant woman (2 birds with one stone) is not a man. I am expendable. Women and children are not.
The trouble with a situation like this is that only the able-bodied have much of a chance to escape. Certainly an adult can carry a child to safety, but what can you do to help an elderly person or an invalid? They can only move so fast, and if you go back to help them you’ll only be caught yourself.
Here is a harrowing video I saw at Ace of Spades a few days ago. It’s not high resolution, but if you watch it in full screen mode you can see individual people near the bottom of the screen trying to flee. Some make it and some don’t. Down in the left corner someone appears to pick up and carry something, probably another person. In the lower center, a dark-clad figure seems to be escaping but is caught just before he/she disappears from view.
Raw Video: Tsunami Arrives, People Flee
Got Error 404 Not Found on the link “This turns out…”
I find it very difficult to watch clips as that sea monster swallows fleeing vehicles and running people. And I’ve no doubt that our Noth America will experience similar geological catastrophe in the near future.
Parker said “Now that I am getting old (still spry, but getting old nonetheless) I still feel it is my duty, should the need arise, to protect women, children, and those older than me.”
While I personally agree with you, feminism has done a lot to kill that instinct….after all, if women can do “anything” men can do, even “better” whats the point…. when we destroyed traditional role models, I think we layed the seeds for the destruction of the west…im starting to sound like Art….
jon baker,
What you say is true, but in our personal lives we do what we can do to to teach youth the traditional way. Men protect and honor women. Men protect children without hesitation. Men respect the experience and wisdom of the elderly. Men are expendable, we are the front line and we hold the line.
However, I’m not selling women short… one of the most ferocious martial artists I know is a 56 year old 5’4″ 110 pound woman. If push comes to shove I want her watching my back while I watch her back. Fortuitously, she happens to be my wife.
Neo, your link produces “Error 404 not found”
There was an important factor of Japanese tragedy which is largely unknown outside Japan: Japanese do not settle on the hills. According ancient animistic tradition, the hill tops are abode of spirits and deities, and mortals should not disturb them by permanent residence here. This effectively makes 95% of the territory off-limit for settelment. Only temples and other sacral dwellings can be constructed on the hills, and only monks and priests can live in them permanently. All others visit these places for worship or for aestetical impressions.
Beverly: fixed. Thanks!