Just a few hours after a series of powerful quakes of 8.9 magnitude rocked Japan’s largest Honshu Island, cyberspace was abuzz with communities and groups on social networking sites in support for Japan. Concerned netizens posted rescue requests and information about relief operations through their Facebook status and Twitter updates.
“Waiting till the next day to find out details is passé. It’s only been a few hours since the news of the massive earthquake and Tsunami in Japan hit the world and there are already places where one can contribute their thoughts, prayers and funds for relief. Thanks to the reach of social networking, the whole world has indeed become one small community,” says Vanshika Manchanda, a content developer.
With lines of traditional communication down, wireless networks have provided another way to be in touch and the Internet has come to the rescue in disseminating the latest news and information from the ground. “Technology has packed everything tightly. Anybody is just a few seconds away from you. It has become easier for the world to connect and in case of emergencies like this, aid can reach faster to the victims,” says Ankur Nagar.
Seconds Pawan Gupta, “It has immensely affected the way things function. It was just one hour after the catastrophe happened that one of my friends showed the entire BBC footage on his Blackberry; then on Facebook everybody started pouring in shock and prayer messages for those who have lost virtually everything. The visuals and information are already out on television but the penetration that social media can have in today’s scenario is unparalleled.”
Google Inc. also activated a Person Finder page to help people concerned about loved ones in Japan. The Person Finder page can be found at http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/ [1] and it is available both in English and Japanese. Mashable.com reported that tweets from Japan were topping out at 1,200 per second. One of the numerous relief pages on Facebook, Japan Earthquake Tsunami has around 400 members, who are keeping a keen eye on the developments in Japan. Footage of the havoc has also emerged on YouTube. Whereas Al Jazeera English’s page on Facebook is streaming live reports from Japan. “I have been consistently following the page and they are giving the best live coverage,” quips Vanshika.
Neha Sharma, a DU student, says, “The world has not only come closer but also become faster. Technology should help humanity and if this way the world can get together, share their grief and also help in any way, this is the right way to be.”
Links:
[1] http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/