Addicted to Disaster - Terror on TV

What is it about a disaster that makes it such compulsive viewing? Are we really such a society of voyeurs that we revel in the misery of others? I hate to say it, but I am slowly coming to the realization that I'm addicted to disaster reports. Ever since the World Trade Center and Pentagon were targets of terrorism last Tuesday, I've hardly moved from the television. The first few hours I sat watching CNN in a mixture of sadness, disbelief and horror. Those hours turned into a few more. After a couple of days I started to watch the other news channels around the world, eager to see if they had any other information not being shown on CNN. 

I've cried more tears of sorrow over the pictures and interviews of people waiting for news of their loved ones; for those who had loved ones in the planes and must endure the sight of those planes crashing into the WTC time after time; for those who died; for those who survived but tell of others who didn't; for the compassionate who lost their lives helping others; for the heroes who walked into the remains to help and never walked out; for the rescue workers working around the clock hoping to find those still alive; for a nation in mourning and a world stunned. There are times I think I've become an emotional wreck as I look at my son and husband, hoping never to have to wait for news like this about them, and then I find some more tears trickling down my cheek. 

The answer of course is to turn off the television, distance myself from the disaster, and get some normality into my life again, but how can I do that when I need to watch, hoping for signs that there are survivors amongst the remains. Living an ocean away from this tragedy, there is nothing tangible I can do to help and my mind reasons that by watching the rescue efforts I am at least adding my support. The logical part of my brain knows that I'm addicted. As the dust starts to settle, I hope I can start pulling myself out of the emotional rubble I've committed myself to, and start to put my life in order again. 

Sending love and support to all readers affected by this terrible act of violence against innocent people - whether directly or indirectly.

Katie-Anne, 2001