#thank u cambridge dictionary online.

[cosmik-homo]

The thing with timelords is that yeahh theyre people but theyre also sort of complicated moving sculptures. or they all see themselves or function in some way as Projects as much as people. partially because doylistically, they... are.

[h2ojustadddigital]

Notre Dame is Falling Down, Falling Down, Falling Down

The immense power of social media can be truly seen during times of crisis, when people are in need and information has to be disseminated quickly to the masses. On certain occasions, I’ve found that news of an event has reached to my Twitter or Facebook feed from citizen journalists before anything appears on my TV.

Me finding out on Twitter that Karl Lagerfeld had passed away, the greatest fashion crisis of our generation

As a result of the impact of these platforms, we’re seeing crowdsourcing during crises happening more than ever, which according to Cambridge Dictionary involves “the activity of giving tasks to a large group of people or to the general public, for example, by asking for help on the internet.” Virtual communities are coming together to support their causes and disasters that occur around the world.

A recent disaster that I first encountered on Twitter that was spread so rapidly on all my social media platforms was the Notre Dame fire. On the 15 April 2019 the Notre Dame catherdral in Paris caught fire collapsing its spire and roof, though the towers were able to be saved. The Notre Dame is an over 850 year old historical building “that has embodied the heart of Paris for more than 800 years.”

(Link to images)

As the news spread like wildfire, people were utterly heartbroken and expressed their reactions on social media. Quickly, crowdsourcing from the public came in the form of donations, big and small, to rebuild the cathedral. Over 50 GoFundMe campaigns were initiated globally according to the New Strait Times and funding for the reconstruction also came from major corporations such as Apple and Chanel. 

This disaster managed to also reach the hearts and pockets of the uber rich 1% in France through the likes of Bernald Arnault, third richest man in the world, donating 200 million euros, as well as billion Francois-Henri Pinault pledging 100 million euros. A day and a half after this disaster, donations reached to just under $1 billion from all around the world. How crazy and insane is that??

I think the Notre Dame really struck a cord in so many people due to the rich history behind such a well renowned cathedral. People online were sharing photos of them with it, hashtags became trending worldwide.  

“Across the world, destruction of cultural attractions causes a specific sort of communal grief. Parisians have spoken about how the devastating fire at Notre-Dame cathedral has made them think about identity, memory and shared culture.” (BBC)

Social media has in a sense provided a sort of public sphere that allows us to decide the conversations and issues we want to raise. Its astounding the power of the people during times of disaster and crisis, when we can put aside any differences and come together to help a cause we’re all passionate about. 

thank u next,

Amy