Limitations to a Technologically Driven Society

While we live in a society that is almost completely incapable of disconnecting from technology, natural disasters and other forces that are not controlled by humans can severely limit or render access to technology  to zero. Such was the recent case when the northeast portion of the United States as "Super-Storm" Sandy ravaged the coast, inland, and even mountains. While technology allows us on a regular basis to communicate with people across the world, to multiple people with the click of a mouse, and in languages that we might not be able to speak or understand, it is useless without the proper electricity and connection to the internet that most of society has become quite used to having.

When did charging electronic outclass saving lives?

During the storm, I was forced to evacuate my home and live across the state with some very wonderful people or face living in any of the overcrowded shelters that exist. While I luckily had a place to go, thousands of people didn't or chose not to go. This not only caused a problem for those areas in which people needed to be rescued, but it also caused an issue with the availability of electricity, available bandwidth for internet access, and created an issue for how to properly convey information to the public. When one thinks about this, it really comes down to how reliant we are on technology. Payphones are nearly a relic, now more likely to be used as a novelty phone in someone's basement. Instead, we have cellphones. However, these need to be charged in order to make a call or, for some, access the internet. We have become far to reliant on the latter in that situation as well. It was amazing that the actions of those saving people were noticed less than those who would stick an extension cord outside for strangers to charge their phones. What have we become?

My frustration knew no bounds...

Perhaps the most infuriating part of this whole process, save the total loss that a large portion of the population endured, was the absolute lack of information provided by the government. In this modern era in which, as aforementioned, we rely so heavily on technology that permits us to transmit information within seconds, why was there no update for days? Why did some of us never hear anything as to when we were allowed to come back? Why did the media decide to focus on the destruction of three spots and not broadcast the important return dates, information needed for checkpoints, curfews, etc. that were being put into place behind closed doors with no input from the misplaced? The answer is quite simple: the media loves a tragedy. Documenting the destruction that occurred would attract far more viewers than useful information. Similarly, this is why the governor of New Jersey and PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES were both allowed onto the island I live on to give a speech 7 days before I was even allowed to return to asses the damage or grab more clothing. We were told it was unsafe. We were told there was no power. We were told not to try to come onto the island. Yet, these key figures went with no issue, power companies restored power in a mere 3 days, and most folks had minor damage on our island. Why couldn't we communicate this?

For those who missed this insanity...