A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

Disasters often bring out the best in common folk, in spite of leaders. People fondly remember how community rallied together after major disasters such as the San Francisco earthquake. Neighbors would help other people that they would previously not have associated with. There are many bouts of altruism. Those people close to the situation are able to quickly respond and provide needed aid long before "first responders" arrive.

Authorities are typically concerned with fears of crime, looting and law and order in times of disaster. Alas, the response can be even more harmful than the crimes sought to be prevented. With hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the "bad" was greatly exaggerated, leading to vigilantes running about. Many black people were killed, even when carrying their own belongings near their house. Other localities used police forces to keep evacuees out. Centralized control also got in the way of grass-roots efforts of neighbors helping each other.

People respond well to mutual aid. They work together to help each other out. They can respond quickly to needs. The disasters bring everyone out to this positive situation. People are not expecting handouts. They are just doing what they can to help each other. Being dependent on external handouts can be demoralizing. The external help is appreciated, but much better when help is integrated into the community rather than brought down from above with strings attached. In spite of post-apocalyptic tales of depravity, people have a great desire to help each other.