On 03/13/2011 08:30 PM, Udhay Shankar N wrote:
Jim (Grisanzio) is doing OK, by his facebook updates. Jim, what's it like? and what's the person on the street saying right now?
Well, it has been a horrible time for many tens of thousands of people for sure. That's true in all disasters, of course, but this one is dragging out a bit due to the nuclear plant damage and radiation leakage -- which has many people around the world on edge. Naturally, there is lots of hype in both directions -- the world is going to end on the one hand, and there's nothing to worry about on the other. I find both extremes obnoxious. But true to form, most people are simply doing something to help -- donating money, giving their time and resources directly, offering information based on their expertise, being supportive by spreading the word, etc. People are coming together. That's the overwhelming feeling I'm getting.
Also, the people working to save the nuke plants are quite literally risking their own lives to save the lives of others, and *that* is getting noticed a great deal throughout Tokyo. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word, and every disaster seems to find people just like them. It's both inspiring and sad. There's an eerie calm here, as well, as people go about the business of picking up the pieces and rebuilding, but things get a tad stressed with the constant aftershocks (of which there have been hundreds). Just last night we had a 6.5 close to me south of Tokyo and I jumped right up like a rod. Feeling rather punchy after the 9.0 on Friday and all the freaking never-ending tremors. But also feeling rather humble and sad for those who are gone and for those who are suffering right now.
There are many ways to donate, obviously, but I see the Tokyo Hackerspace community is now actively helping out as well: http://www.tokyohackerspace.org/en/japan-in-crisis. You can always count on the community to help, right?
Best wishes to everyone ... Jim -- http://jimgrisanzio.com/
