The world has stopped to watch the rescue of the submarine Titan, the submarine that disappeared during an expedition to the wreck of the Titanic. A few days ago, a fishing boat sank in the Mediterranean, killing more than 500 people. What might explain the difference in attention between the two events? In addition to social factors, the alert stands out: “People are dehumanised.”
A fishing boat carrying more than 750 migrants, including more than 100 children, has sunk off the coast of Greece. It was on June 14th and is now classified as ‘The worst tragedy in the Mediterranean’. Tragedy broke up a few days ago The disappearance of the submarine With five people in the North Atlantic Ocean off Canada. Media attention, as well as public interest, quickly shifted from one event to the next. Why?
There are many factors that contribute to this difference in interest. The granny issue is certainly one of them, and it’s also notoriety with the main characters. Unfortunately, the people who die in the Mediterranean are not known. Mediterranean outcasts are unknown. They are invisible,” recalls sociologist Manuel Lisboa, of the Portuguese Sociological Association.
This opinion is shared by expert Pedro Neto, Head of Amnesty International in Portugal. “The fact that it was a submarine, a scientific novelty, being associated with the Titanic, and even having Mario Ferreira’s name implicated in it, albeit indirectly,” recalls the human rights activist, “may help explain the greater public interest in the Titanic.” The disappearance of Titan. “I would like all the wrecks to deserve our attention,” he asserts, “and there probably won’t be many.”
“As a human being, concerned with the dignity of human rights, anyone in difficulty should be helped. I understand that all help is given to those millionaires who are in trouble in the North Sea. I would like to see the same attention given to people who die every day in the Mediterranean. I am not saying we are We must give up sunken submarines, far from it. But I would like to see equal treatment, ”Pedro Neto confirms.
The “bulimia of capitalism”
Psychologist Isabel dos Santos, who has been accustomed to studying the impact of disaster on mental health, says that this difference in attention between the two events reflects the state in which humanity finds itself. The expert believes that we are increasingly “plastic”.
“Life is measured in very big letters. The life of a famous person isn’t worth the life of 100 children. I think people are dehumanized. It’s the bulimia of capitalism. People have wardrobes full of clothes, but they’re naked inside.”confirms Isabel dos Santos, who also practices clinical psychology and who sees people with “less empathy” every day.
He argues that the factor of selfishness leads “people to seek out the grief of others in order to overcome their own inner grief”. And the five people aboard Titan “have a face and display identity.” He replies: “They are known. It gives the illusion that they are closer to each one of us.”
“Lack of empathy for the other” also motivates, Isabel dos Santos warns, that this ambivalence of two very similar and at the same time very different events could get worse: “Many, many, many. And after the pandemic, I can tell you that people are even worse.” much.”
Other hobbies
Sociologist Manuel Lisboa points out that the media is partly responsible for this difference in public interest in the two subjects. We are well aware that part of the public’s interest also consists of journalists’ interest in issues. Then there is still the issue of the media agenda at the moment: if the event takes place at a time when there is another, more relevant media event, it will have less press coverage and, therefore, less public interest,” he explains.
And we have to accept that: there is a social agenda for those who dominate the media. He also pointed out that the issue of people who died in the Mediterranean is not neutral from an economic point of view, from a political point of view, from a diplomatic point of view, and that has its bearings. “.
Differences in research methods
Another issue raised was the difference in the means used in searches in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic.
A fishing boat sinking off Greece may have killed more than 500 people. Still, official numbers put it at only 82 dead. But, in all and according to the latest estimates, there will be about 750 people on board, including nearly 100 children, locked in the boat’s hold. The Greek Coast Guard continues to search for survivors at the site, southwest of Pylos. in sharing operations A frigate and three sailing boatsand 104 people have already been rescued alive.
Several ships with advanced technology were placed at the disposal of the search for the submarine Titan. One such vehicle is a French robot capable of descending 6,000 meters and has several pieces of equipment that could be mission critical. In the search for the submarine, military aircraft are also involved.
“Hardcore alcohol maven. Hipster-friendly analyst. Introvert. Devoted social media advocate.”
