Technology for Tragedies

Plates clatter, books fall, a child cries-- amidst the confusion and terror, you think only of your life in that moment, and the loved ones who fill it. Thanks to the technology of websites like Twitter, those who are at the misfortune of experiencing disasters are able to easily communicate with loved ones, as well as their community, while Information-based websites such as Wikipedia can provide instantaneous facts to those elsewhere.

After the earthquake in Chile on February 27 this year, many people took advantage of these technological resources. Some people used their Twitter accounts to assure their friends and family that they were safe, while others used the website as a tool for finding missing relatives.

A concerned Chilean posted to her page: “¡Fernando Andrés Vergara Vásquez de Cobquecura, nececita avisarte a su familia que está bien!” Translation: “Fernando Andrés Vergara Vásquez from Cobquecura, you need to let your family know that you’re ok!” Her post was one of many desperately searching for missing people. In contrast to the posts in search of people, there were also several posts notifying Tweeters of “found” people.

While many Tweets displayed the anguish that comes with such tragedy, others were more encouraging. One man took it upon himself to travel to the hard-hit regions to spread some encouragement. He tweeted: “Partiendo a Putu nuevamente a llevar un poco de luz y esperanza a la gente.” Translation: “ I’m starting at Putu again to bring some light and hope to the people.”

Others made light of the situation by posting Tweets such as Andrea Jiménez’s on March 20th in reference to the numerous aftershocks: “La lámpara se movió; es mi sismógrafo.” Translation: “The lamp moved; it’s my seismograph.”

Twitter also served as a medium for community organization. There was one tweet looking for reconstruction volunteers: “SE BUSCA: Ingenieros, constructores, y arquitecto. Inscribirse en fundciontracender.cl como profesionales voluntarios para reconstrucción.” Translation: “ WANTED: Engineers, builders, and architects. Join ‘transcendfoundation.com’ as professional volunteers for reconstruction.” There was a significant amount of Tweets describing how quickly the damaged roads were being repaired.

As the urgency of the crisis has diminished, Tweets about the earthquake became less frequent, and the Wikipedia “2010 Chile Earthquake” article substantially expanded. The article was started on the day of the quake, and has been updated to include the geology of the country, damage and casualties, humanitarian responses, conditions of the aftermath, and information on the resulting tsunami. This article provides accurate information about the disaster and its effects to people around the world.

This open and easy access to information provided by Twitter and Wikipedia allows great opportunity for international aid. More importantly, the use of this technology draws the world closer together as one race through compassion for the collective good of Chileans.