Occasionally Snarky and Meta

In light of articles about unhelpful donations to horrible tragedies (to which people have commented: "if you're so ungrateful, I just won't donate, then!"), and some general observations, let's talk about ways to be helpful - whether you've come across the pinnacle of inspired tears someone who happens to have a disability, heard about a terrible tragedy, or found out a friend is going through some rough times.

I think the first thing people need to realize is that it's not anyone else's job to make you feel like a good person, and while I don't think too many people actively believes this to be the case, I think that's how people can feel subconsciously. It's not even that unreasonable; something makes you feel upset or confused, and you feel like you need to do something, because it makes you feel like you've found a way to deal with it. I don't think most people LIKE bad news. ( Read more... )

I know saying the meanest, edgiest thing you can think of is the thing online, that's why we have CollegeHumor and peopleofwalmart.com, but even if that is your thing... there is a time and a place to make jokes about things that actually aren't funny. A disaster that has killed thousands of people is not the right time. (Not to mention that even sites like CollegeHumor and peopleofwalmart.com wouldn't sink that low, although CH did make a Grease parody that involved someone being date raped.)

What happened in Japan was a tragedy. It wasn't a celebrity saying something stupid. It wasn't a butthurt idiot. It was a tragedy that has left thousands of people dead, missing, and otherwise displaced. Bringing up Pearl Harbor doesn't make you look witty or funny, it makes you look like an asshole.

And to the people who mean it: Ever notice that America's done horrible things too? Did you know many people hate us? How would you feel if someone told you we "deserved" a tragedy because of something those affected had nothing to do with?

Mostly though, I think the people saying that Japan deserved it are trolls. And while no, they don't mean it, it's still ignorant and wrong.

Screening comments because it's a public entry and all that jazz.