Is our society vulnerable?
Recently, when Ebola virus has been raging in West Africa out of control, various countries in the world would inspect anyone from the affected area rigidly and afraid that Ebola virus course public scare. Is our modern society vulnerable? Does science and knowledge bring stronger social structure?
Admittedly, with the development of science and technology, people could enjoy their lives without worry about most of plague, such as the Black Death estimated to result in the death of 75 to 200 million people and peaking in Europe in the years from 1346 to 1353 (Dunham, 2008). However, new virus and secret disease emerge in endlessly, from obstinate AIDS scientists have been researching for several decades to Ebola which …show more content…
Urban densification would improve the speed and efficiency of propagation of rumors, and it also increases the losses brought about by disasters. About 50% of the world’s largest cities are located along tropical cyclone tracks or major earthquake belts. And the average amount of disaster victims is 150 times greater in the developing world compared to the developed countries. The economic loss, as a percent of GNP is 20 times greater. The concern over the risk of megacities, particularly in the developing world, is their growing vulnerability caused by their hyper-concentrations of population, dependence on complex and aging infrastructure and unprepared local institutions (Bendimerad, 2000).
Compared with traditional society, modern society is more energetic and effective. However, modern society is more vulnerable, which is worthy of our contemplation. From the 9/11 attacks, which had a significant economic impact on the United States and the world market (Gail, 2002), to recent rage of Ebola virus, modern society amplifies their adverse impact. They all reflect some problems in the social structure. The problems which give rise to social vulnerability should be kept in focus, and they would provide sufficient reference points to make the plan of the new
Recently, when Ebola virus has been raging in West Africa out of control, various countries in the world would inspect anyone from the affected area rigidly and afraid that Ebola virus course public scare. Is our modern society vulnerable? Does science and knowledge bring stronger social structure?
Admittedly, with the development of science and technology, people could enjoy their lives without worry about most of plague, such as the Black Death estimated to result in the death of 75 to 200 million people and peaking in Europe in the years from 1346 to 1353 (Dunham, 2008). However, new virus and secret disease emerge in endlessly, from obstinate AIDS scientists have been researching for several decades to Ebola which …show more content…
Urban densification would improve the speed and efficiency of propagation of rumors, and it also increases the losses brought about by disasters. About 50% of the world’s largest cities are located along tropical cyclone tracks or major earthquake belts. And the average amount of disaster victims is 150 times greater in the developing world compared to the developed countries. The economic loss, as a percent of GNP is 20 times greater. The concern over the risk of megacities, particularly in the developing world, is their growing vulnerability caused by their hyper-concentrations of population, dependence on complex and aging infrastructure and unprepared local institutions (Bendimerad, 2000).
Compared with traditional society, modern society is more energetic and effective. However, modern society is more vulnerable, which is worthy of our contemplation. From the 9/11 attacks, which had a significant economic impact on the United States and the world market (Gail, 2002), to recent rage of Ebola virus, modern society amplifies their adverse impact. They all reflect some problems in the social structure. The problems which give rise to social vulnerability should be kept in focus, and they would provide sufficient reference points to make the plan of the new