[hannibal5]

Precisely my point. This is localized catastrophe. For us, it has less effect than car accident happening to our neighbor.

Because the people who died were poor, this accident adds net positive emotional entertainment value to the life of typical consumer.

[milkshakes]

What's your favorite Ayn Rand novel?

[ufseagull]

The Fountainhead

[gexla]

Another point I made in my first comment is that in my area, typhoons were rare. Even though we get hit with around 20 per year, my area typically dodges all of them. Yet, in the past two years we have had two devastating typhoons. One was the equivalent of a cat 5 hurricane and the other was just as deadly with less winds but more flooding. Yolanda is was the most powerful storm in recorded history, which is obviously a rarity. If this all points to a trend, perhaps due to something like global warming, then we will all be affected. Perhaps this is just a preview of more to come in a far less comfortable world for everyone. Natural disasters and environmental problems may be moving from side show to center stage. The positive entertainment might take a turn to horror show.

[markus2012]

'Adds net positive emotional entertainment value' ???

Seriously, WFT?

[ams6110]

You think the news networks are not rubbing their hands about this? They LOVE a good disaster especially if it happens in an impoverished area.

[true_religion]

> Because the people who died were poor, this accident adds net positive emotional entertainment value to the life of typical consumer.

Not to be cynical, but I imagine if they were rich celebrities it'd add even more dubious 'entertainment' value.