The world is mourning yet again as it plunged into sorrow with the recent Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 catastrophe.
While the world is still reeling in disbelief over the missing of Boeing 777-200ER flight MH370 in March where 239 lives diminished; three months on we have lost 298 innocent souls.
Elsewhere in Gaza, atrocities are happening – 500 people have died since the Israeli campaign against Hamas started over two weeks ago.
Now, that brings us to a total of around 1037 lives lost.
Not to mention the millions of other people around the world who are dying from disease, famine and war.
If you’re feeling a bit macabre, search “World death clock” on Google and it will tell you that 56 million people die every year. There is even a little moving counter that increases in number ever second.
As a society we have been desensitized to these numbers. Every day we consume news about death and destruction to the point where the value of life is lost on us. We have inevitably developed this acute inability to appreciate losses of life as they become larger.
As Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Gyorgi said, “I am deeply moved if I see one man suffering and would risk my life for him. Then I talk impersonally about the possible pulverization of our big cities, with a hundred million dead. I am unable to multiply one man’s suffering by a hundred million.”
As a media practitioner, we need to get the news out as quickly as possible yet we tend to forget what these numbers actually mean. We push aside our feelings and emotions and cease to empathize with the people affected by the tragedies we report on. We get a story out before we steadfastly soldier on to the next.
Recently, I have been tasked to compile the stories of those who perished in the downed MH17 jetliner and I can’t contain my emotions anymore.
Countries all over the world lost people. People who just wanted to travel the world, to visit friends, and to come home. People just like you.
Given the duty at hand, I feel it is important that we tell these stories; that we humanize the numbers and bring a sense of intimacy with the lives of those we lost on MH17.
This humble reporter hopes that their stories will unleash a tidal wave of compassion and triggering humanitarian movement around the world-but maybe I am asking too much?
To quote the great Aristotle: “The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival."
Shein Shanin
Wed Jul 23 2014
LIVES LOST: 289 stories need to be told
Minimum wage not benchmark for all employees' starting salaries - Sim
Steven Sim says the increase in the minimum wage is intended as a basic wage for workers with lower academic qualifications and skills.
Climate and China weigh on how the US views Pacific relations
Pacific leaders keep their preference for US President quiet, yet viewing relations only through the lens of China does nobody a service.
Gulen, the powerful cleric accused of orchestrating a Turkish coup, dies
Gulen was a one-time ally of Erdogan but they fell out spectacularly, and Erdogan held him responsible for the 2016 attempted coup.
[COLUMNIST] The reality of earthquakes in Malaysia: A threat we can’t ignore
The government needs to prepare the public to deal with such disasters in any way possible.
'PROTEGE-Veteran' provides job assurance for retirees
This is an aggressive step by the government to protect the welfare of retirees, said Dr Mohd Hasril Amiruddin.
US says THAAD anti-missile system is 'in place' in Israel
THAAD is a critical part of the US military's layered air defense systems and adds to Israel's already formidable anti-missile defenses.
IMAN Research calls for strengthening human security in 2025 Budget
IMAN Research identifies key areas for enhancement within the Malaysian government's Third MADANI Budget 2025.
Zambry assures academics of freedom of speech
Zambry says he is committed to preventing any actions that could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of academics across universities.
Media licensing framework development involves multiple consultations - Teo
Teo Nie Ching says the views of stakeholders have been considered through several engagement sessions and ongoing consultations.
ANALYSIS - World lags on 2030 nature goals headed into UN COP16 talks
A top concern for countries and companies is how to pay for conservation, with the COP16 talks aiming to develop new initiatives.
Situation in South China Sea safe, under control - Adly
Adly Zahari clarifies that reports of Chinese maritime assets near country's border mainly involve its Coast Guard, not its naval warships.
MOHE sets agenda to boost higher education cooperation ahead of ASEAN Chairmanship 2025
Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry said all higher education institutions must be involved to successfully implement the ASEAN chairmanship agenda.
King receives credentials of 12 foreign envoys to Malaysia
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim welcomes nine new foreign envoys and appoints two Malaysian diplomats in a ceremony at Istana Negara.
Israel gives the US its demands for ending war in Lebanon, Axios reports
Israel demands IDF "active enforcement" to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and rebuilding military infrastructure near the border.
Indonesia's Prabowo swears in cabinet of over 100 ministers, deputies
Prabowo Subianto's cabinet has 48 ministries with over 100 ministers and deputies, including two re-appointments.
Freeze on foreign worker employment quota to continue - Saifuddin
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said as of Sept 15 the total number of foreign workers is nearing the stipulated ceiling.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Canberra on Australia tour
This is King Charles' first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer in February.
Indonesia's Prabowo plans military academy retreat for new cabinet
The retreat is aimed at forming a bond between around 100 cabinet ministers and their deputies, according to migrant protection minister.
Four loan sharks held for alleged involvement in paint splashing, arson in six states
The syndicate is believed to have conducted illegal money-lending activities, involving loan sharks and online money-lending, police said.
China's PCT international patent applications top world for 5 consecutive years: WIPO chief
China has become the country with the most international patent applications, according to AIPPI President Shoichi Okuyama.