[UA] Deaths and psychology

[Russell Rayburn]

On 4/19/07, Rev Kev <kelmore at rocketmail.com> wrote:
>
> I would also add that the deaths were the result of a deliberate choice made
> by a person who very easily could have sat next to you in a restaurant or
> the bus.  Most traffic accidents are...well, accidents.  As are drownings,
> tornados, and earthquakes.  But mass murders shock the collective
> unconscious.  While the earthquake in Kobe was utterly devastating, it was a
> natural act that comes about from living in such a volatile zone.  But when
> a group of men deliberately crash two planes into skyscrapers, the deaths
> receive a lot of attention, even though the death toll is less than in Kobe
> (I believe; correct me if I'm wrong).
>

I see where you're comming from, but it strikes me as an odd thing.
Are people more afraid of being killed than of dieing?

Is it the fear of a killer, rather than of death?

For the record, a google search indicated 5100 deaths from Kobe.
Which is another odd thing; I was almost caught in that ( rail trip
across country.  good thing we stopped for the night. ) and don't
recall the death toll being that high.

Might have to reread that chapter in Freakonomics again.

-- 
It takes a village to raise a child,
but just a van and a few puppies to catch one.

http://blog.myspace.com/cthuloidgunnut