On an individual level only.
One more time.
*I* as a person am safer because I have a better awareness of the dangers around me in the world, whether they be manmade, natural or terrorism. Can I still be blown up, yes. Can I still be shot, yes. Can I still be in an accident, yes.
But I have taken more precautions, and not because I'm in fear for my life all the time, I've gotten past that initial reaction. I have taken those precautions because I have learned to protect myself better. I.e. avoid disasters when I can, by having safety measures in place, drive carefully, watch around me when walking to and from my car.
This isn't a statement about whether the world around me is safer, or whether I am safe, because as I explained in the original post, there is no actual safe. I am simply able to protect myself better than I used to because I am more aware.
The attacks of 9/11 were no different than Hurricane Katrina in that sense only, that they taught us "Yes this CAN happen to us." And hopefully next time, on an individual level, people will be more able to help themselves in such a disaster.
One more statement and I have to get offline today. In St. Louis, some people whined about there being no electricity for days. Some had no flashlights, no unperishable food, etc. They expected the government to come to their rescue.
Granted, the government should help some, but what are the odds now that after the disaster has hit, MORE people have working flashlights, have stored up non-perishable food and drinking water, etc. etc. I know I have increased my ability to handle that type of disaster, so therefore I learned.
That is my simple point. We learn more about how to protect ourselves with each experience we encounter, and therefore we are safer in that respect only. Not in regards to the world or country or city around us.
Brenda
