[extropy-chat] Manhattan vs. New Orleans

[David Lubkin]

My impression, from coverage and commentary, is that, to everyone's 
pleasant surprise, beyond the quiet and extraordinary heroisms on 
9/11, was a communal unity. There *wasn't* the expected uptick in 
crime with the police busy elsewhere, or desperate people savaging 
one another for a chance of survival. There *were* people pulling 
together, and helping one another.

My impression, from coverage and commentary of New Orleans, is there 
are heroics, but less dramatic. Certainly many people trying to help 
one another. But an atmosphere in many areas of felonious barbarity. 
Looting, rape, murder, brutality -- not to save oneself or one's 
loved ones, but in sociopathic nihilism.

(1) Do you agree that these are the pictures that have been painted 
for us of the two events?

(2) Do you think either reflect the gist of what has happened? If 
not, what has caused the distortion(s)?

(3) What explains the differences between these two portrayed 
responses? The causes of the events? The composition of the populace?


-- David.