Earthquake: One week later

Oh, what a week. We have felt various aftershocks, and other times when we weren't sure what was doing the shaking: our inner ears, our hearts, or the earth. I think most of the students feel that way as well, but it's different from our feelings. We have found ways to return to normalcy. We read the news and are confident that huge earthquakes don't hit that often. So, how is it different for the students? Well, we are in China.

The Eastern vs. Western thinking has come out in full force following this disaster. To over-simplify, Eastern thinking is group-oriented while Western thinking is more individual. Because we are from the West, we do what we know: read what scientists say, take recommended precautions, and then watch some TV and go to bed. Call our parents sometimes. Our students have approached it in this way: listen to the news, worry about the wild speculation of imminent large earthquakes, text message all friends and family, then stay up all night outside holding hands with friends, miss class, and generally feel miserable. I'm not saying that what we do is correct, or what they do isn't. However, there are healthier choices that need to be combined from the two. My scientific thinking should sometimes yield to the fact that this is a scary time. Acknowledge fear and worry. The students here should make the leap that the barreling train of feelings, thoughts, and actions can be slowed, and even re-directed. Their legitimate fears can be talked about and precautions taken without causing them to not sleep for a week and continue to intentionally miss class.

So, I'm a little frustrated. It's been almost exactly a week since the big earthquake, and our whole town is outside sleeping in tents, frantic because of local rumors and text messages they received predicting another big earthquake. I guess we just wait, and continue to encourage the classes to take positive actions: find a way to relax, and don't spread the rumors. I do wonder how long it will last, though.

The rumor mill grinds to a halt here: we are fine.