Disaster Quote by Barbara W. Tuchman
““Disaster is rarely as pervasive as it seems from recorded accounts. The fact of being on the record makes it appear continuous and ubiquitous whereas it is more likely to have been sporadic both in time and place. Besides, persistence of the normal is usually greater than the effect of the disturbance, as we know from our own times. After absorbing the news of today, one expects to face a world consisting entirely of strikes, crimes, power failures, broken water mains, stalled trains, school shutdowns, muggers, drug addicts, neo-Nazis, and rapists. The fact is that one can come home in the evening--on a lucky day--without having encountered more than one or two of these phenomena. This has led me to formulate Tuchman's Law, as follows: "The fact of being reported multiplies the apparent extent of any deplorable development by five- to tenfold" (or any figure the reader would care to supply).””
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the United States, Volume 2, 1995
Media amplifies problems, making rare events seem common and overwhelming.
In simple terms: News makes occasional issues seem everywhere.
Key Takeaway
Stay critical of sensational reporting.
Themes
media
perception
reality
Mood
cautious
informed
Type
historical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal life
- news consumption
- social media
Key Concepts
information overload
psychology of fear
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you verify news claims?
- What sources balance your perspective?
A Different Perspective
The law may overstate danger, leading to unnecessary anxiety.
