It may not be the end of the world, but is it a dress rehearsal on how we will behave?
Europe continues to struggle with the effects of volcanic ash, with travellers stranded in places they desire not to be. Having once been stuck in Changi airport for three days as a standby passenger attempting to get to the UK at Christmas time, I can understand how tense it can be not knowing when you will finally get that seat on the plane. The fatigue felt from the constant worry and need to stay focused on what you are trying to do in a foreign land soon weighs upon you, and you suddenly start to think about handing over your credit card and requesting a solution to your problem regardless of the cost....
....And bam! They've got you.
Reports are filtering through of exploitation of the trapped travellers with hotel room prices soaring, Russian taxi drivers offering rides at a price higher than the cost of the vehicle, and travel insurance companies refusing recompense due "act of God" (what if you don't believe in God? And if you do, isn't absolutely everything an "act of God" anyway?).
I ask myself the question, what is it about human nature that looks upon this event as an opportunity? What is it about my own nature that looks upon this event as an opportunity?
OK, I haven't actually exploited anyone affected by this, but that's really only because my work responsibilities do not cover this geographical region. The thing is, I would be expected to if it were part of my responsibilities. More worrying is the fact that I would be able to carry out the task, easily, and would feel no guilt.
Because business is business........ and it's easier if your hollow.
I wonder how dodgy things could really get: aren't these transactions somewhat regulated? As for the Russian taxi drivers, well ... I'm far from surprised. Human nature seems to be ever driven by the scent of opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThe regulation is more a show for Joe Public. Very hard to regulate against the strength of market forces without accusations of communism which is apparently a dreadful thing.
ReplyDelete'Act of god' is rather unfair to atheists. Also very unfair when this is clearly an Act of Earth. I would be tempted to sue for insurance on those grounds.
ReplyDeleteMind you, Iceland, so maybe it was an act of god. But which god? (Apologies for channelling Douglas Adams.)
Unfair indeed. It's a bit too easy to just blame everything on God.
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