7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Southeast Asia, affecting Myanmar and Thailand

Holy F2k. Hope nobody was seriously injured - as unlike as this hope may be.

It’s extremely surreal to be sitting in sun, half way around the world, drinking coffee and watching these images.

It’s amazing and frightening at the same time - the disconnect between the folks affected by this disaster and me scrolling around here at HN.

At the same, the immediacy of world events and the inability to actual do anything about them.

For many this was their last day and may their rest in peace, tomorrow could be ours. Once again nature shows us who is boss.

81 construction workers trapped and 3 passed away [0].

Sadly, hundreds of similar incidents happened across the border in Myanmar, as the epicenter is right outside of Myanmar's 2nd largest city.

[0] - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g0gr8gl0wo

>the inability to actual do anything about them

That is called trained helplessness. You could be on a flight today if you want. You could be donating to relief in minutes without leaving your computer chair.

I can give money to an anonymous organization that might or might not use that money to help the people on the ground.

But then I’ve scrolled on in HN (or wherever) and the next disaster has happened - the same feeling of disconnect.

The immediacy of social media makes everyone my neighbour - that’s what I was trying to say.

I'm just saying that immediacy doesn't have be accompanied with helplessness.