• The big story: Fukushima’s current (very scary) nuclear drama One of the most dramatic images from the entire crisis is this video. The crisis isn’t as bad as Three Mile Island, and likely won’t create major health issues, but still. It’s freaking some green-minded people out.
• The very-early, quickly rising death toll* in Japan While we wouldn’t put much weight in numbers right now, early estimates suggest that hundreds have died and thousands are missing.
• The craziest images we’ve seen from the current crisis Children getting checked for radiation; large crowds trying to use a payphone. Swaying skyscrapers. Split roads. Immense destruction.
• Use your head when thinking about donations Fellow Tumblr inothernews made a really good point about this, which has proven correct again and again. Stick with the basics – and use your own money.
• Social media’s bad habits: Rumors, ADD, bad taste Focusing too much on Godzilla, making terrible jokes and spreading false rumors about people dying?Twitter should be ashamed of itself.
• Our favorite point made about the crisis: Japan was fairly well-prepared This piece from FrumForum emphasizes how Japan has been ready for a crisis like this for years – and how the U.S. may cut similar efforts. None of this means you shouldn’t help, though.

• » Don’t forget the other news: Big stories are still breaking in Wisconsin, Libya and elsewhere, and in the case of LIbya, might even be more necessary than usual.

Posted by Ernie Smith • Permalink