Frank2 wrote:As I've heard more than once, we all have that dark side to us, but, at some point we need to decide whether we will continue to embrace it or not - as I've found, this extends to every experience in life, not just weather-related disasters...
One thing I've found is that this desire often diminishes as a person gets older (like children, the elderly usually wanting peace instead of turmoil), but, since none of us know how long our life will be, it's wise to make hay while the sun shines, and, make the right decision while we have a chance...
Perhaps you also think this way because you've never experienced disaster or turmoil first-hand - not just as a wanting visitor to a disaster, but, as an actual victim - as a number of folks here have said, that usually puts an end to the desire...
It's similar to those who like to watch a "good fire" - until their own house burns down...
In the early 1960's (ahem), my late sister and I met a young woman (mid-20's) who worked in a small bakery, but, for an unknown reason, seemed to be the saddest person we ever knew, until one day, when her apron sleeve was raised - and we could see the concentration camp serial number tatooed on her wrist.
We then realized that this poor girl was so traumatized (only 15 years after being released), that it was as if the light in her heart had been extinguished...
I once made the mistake of comparing real life Korean War experiences with that seen on my favorite television program MASH, to the worst person - a surgeon who lived through the real-life experience as a young Doctor at a MASH unit, and, with a great deal of anger in his voice, I can still hear his 3-word reply:
"It was terrible"
I could see similar sadness in the victims of Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina (not to mention those I've known who worked at the World Trade Center site) - in the weeks after Katrina, an attorney from New Orleans who had lost her dog, home and workplace was brought to our office, in order for her to use a computer, and, seemed all right for a day or two, until the entire experience seemed to catch up with her, and began crying at her desk...
All of the above is something to think about the next time you have the desire for disaster - true peace is ALWAYS better...
This is an excellent post, and I think everyone should read it before they get the urge to wishcast storms, especially those people who wish for these storms even though they have lived through them before.
BillieJeanneinMS from the Storm2k chat room is a good example of this. She claimed to have lived through several destructive hurricanes, and got extremely cranky and disappointed whenever she found out a storm was
not headed her way, as if she
wanted to experience death and destruction again.
We have to ask ourselves: what is the true reason we track tropical cyclones? Is it because we get a sick or guilty pleasure from watching people get hit by them, and don't want to admit it? Or is it because we want people to be safe? Or is it a combination of both? I've seen a lot of the third answer around here.
