(Opinion) The DANA in Valencia will go down in history as the greatest environmental tragedy in the history of Spain so far this century. Go from here our Remembrance and love to all the relatives and friends of the deceased, injured and missingand also to the thousands of people who have lost their homes, belongings or vehicles. And of course, to all the professionals or volunteers who are doing their best to minimize the effects of the catastrophe.
We could talk at length about what is happening around the misfortune (the most destructive cold drop in the history of Spain since there are records) that has constricted our hearts since last Tuesday. Some of our editors live there and others have family members and/or residences in Valencia, a welcoming place, whether for immigration, work or vacation issues in other Spanish regions. Even without ties, no one minimally human can escape the suffering of such a tragedy.
Without wanting to enter directly into political responsibilities that honestly do not concern us right now, nor do we have to do so in an environment like ours, we must demand from our rulers and we want to do it from here, the maximum willingness, effectiveness and help to minimize the impact of human and material misfortunes. In a time of ideological hatred like no other in this country, the seamless union of administrations of different political stripes that have to direct the response to misfortune, abandoning all temptation to politically exploit the disaster, would be the best news. . And a message of hope for all.
The DANA of Valencia: Internet, alerts and climate change
Social networks, the Internet and digital media in general are a most useful component when facing any tragedy and, of course, preventing them. And here we must talk about the information and alert systems that allow us to reach the entire population in seconds. Certainly, on this occasion they have not worked for late and ineffective. And not because of the technical professionals who had warned, but because of the incompetence and lack of flattery of the politicians on duty who have to activate them. And why not recognize it, due to the lack of preparation of the general population when it comes to complying with them.
It is a warning for the future because DANAs and other climatological effects they are going to continue causing catastrophes. Let us hope that not with the virulence of the number of victims of this and for this alerts will be essential. We insist: as long as there is the courage to issue them at any cost and force their compliance. And citizens get mentalized.
The Internet has also proven to be a fundamental means when searching for the missing, as we saw with SOS Valencia; to expedite financial donations; for the collection of food and materials and a very long etc. Of course; to send a simple digital message of encouragement that is always appreciated to those who have lost everything and coordinate the thousands of volunteers who want to collaborate in a solidarity exercise in which Spain shines every time it is needed and that is very uncomforting.
The worst garbage is not on the streets, it is on the Internet
Unfortunately, social networks and the Internet They are also ideal means to spread hoaxes, misinformation and outright lies. above all and towards everyone. For someone like the undersigned, who already used IRC as a means of communication when there was no current social network, checking the current situation of these media is discouraging because there is as much garbage as on the streets of the towns affected by DANA in Valencia. .
We are used to seeing how cybercriminals take advantage of any media impact to launch their malicious campaigns, but what is happening here exceeds any known parameter. Agitators, deniers, fraudsters, Nazis and generally all sorts of rabble are taking advantage of other people’s misfortune and impunity of the network of networks to spread all kinds of stories that have little to do with reality. Or half-truths, always interesting, that are even more difficult to hunt down.
Some, like those that talk about governments causing storms, may border on nonsense, but they are very dangerous because there are guys who believe it and follow climate change deniers. The appearance among the national ‘brotherhood’ of hundreds of climatologists when engineers and geologists have been warning (for decades) that the Uncontrolled and insane construction in some areas would end up causing catastrophesit’s scary. Or the mushrooming emergence of emergency management technicians…
Other hoaxes can cost livessuch as those related to the emergency number 112 or the notice to leave or enter vehicles in certain areas. Like the scammers who are trying to “raise” money for the victims and are pocketing it. Or the ‘journalist’ who, denigrating the profession, throws himself on the ground to get dirty and demonstrate we don’t know what before going on television. Or the lies that say that “thousands of dead” have been “hidden” in some of the affected parking lots. Another group of pseudo-messages are directly promoting violence to provoke distrust in institutions or to fill their pockets with money. We are seeing everything.
Maldita.esa web portal specialized in combating hoaxes and lies on the Internet, has reviewed some of them and has warned of bot groupsautomated or semi-automated accounts, many of them from India, which publish and respond massively to tweets on X about the DANA of Valencia. They include or replicate all the crap we’ve talked about and more.
Misinformation in an emergency situation is very dangerous. The maelstrom of content posted on social networks without any type of veracity is the perfect fuel for chaos and from here We ask you not to share unreliable content or feed it. It is time for people of good faith, for common sense, to let the professionals work even though we all think that we have arrived late and in general to pitch in as everyone can to minimize the effects of the tragedy. If you want to collaborate, do so only through secure organizations and channels such as Red Cross. Good luck to everyone!
Source: www.muycomputer.com
