Why we should care

Why should we care about what happens in places far away from where we live? The recent earthquake in Japan has attracted a lot of attention. As we watch the devastation being played out live on television, it is also heart warming to note that other people from all over the world are helping them one way or another. However, one might be curious as to why so many people care about the happenings in Japan. One might argue that the earthquake in Japan did not have a significant impact on us. Yes, Singapore was not directly affected by the earthquake physically. However, the disaster in Japan can affect everyone across the world. One of the main reasons is because we are also human; We can sympathise with them. It is very heart-breaking to see the people of Japan struggling to survive in the aftermaths of the disaster. Thousands of people were killed and even more are still missing. Children were orphaned overnight and loved ones were killed. Seeing the miserable state they are in, our compassion would take over and we would want to help them. The sight of people in tears, completely devastated by the earthquake: homes in ruins, rubble littering the ground, dead bodies all around, this would definitely invoke our sympathy. Unless one has a heart of steel, we would be affected emotionally and psychologically, giving us the urge to help them. We are still humans after all. When the earthquake struck, we are reminded of the value of human life. If we had any friends or relatives in Japan, we would be utterly worried for their safety and well-being. One would definitely look out for any way to help them. These people would be able to empathise with the Japanese who are finding news of their family in desperation. When a particular species gets wiped out on Earth, it would jeopardise the entire delicate eco-system. This also applies to humans. If the rest of the countries in the world do not care about Japan and left the Japanese to their fate, the consequences would be dire. Business in Japan is falling and they are making heavy losses. This is due to less tourists travelling to Japan and the radiation scare. There are in fact many Japanese companies in partnership with Singapore. When their business is not doing well, it would also affect the economy of Singapore (call it a chain-effect). When Japanese stocks fell, Singapore was also affected and shares also fell . This caused some negative impacts on Singapore's economy. Many Japanese products are also widely used here: game consoles, food stuff, electrical appliances, etc. Imagine your Nintendo or your favourite anime movie gone suddenly. It would leave a mark your life and you would definitely be affected. Sometimes it can make your life suddenly turn upside down - your favourite Japanese show stopped broadcasting, or that soap you always use would never be marketed again. It causes a sudden break in your life. From the Japanese earthquake alone, one can realise that whatever happens far away, may not necessarily be insignificant in your life. You would be affected one way or another, it is just a matter of how much it would change you.