---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I chose the San Francisco earthquake…"
description: "\"“I chose the San Francisco earthquake because it's very interesting- although maybe that isn't the word you'd have used if you'd actually been in San F..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/belinda-hollyer-222564_humor_i-chose-the-san-francisco-earthquake-bec_2483264.jpg"
---

#  I chose the San Francisco earthquake because it's very…

![“I chose the San Francisco earthquake because it's very interesting- although maybe that isn't the word you'd have used if you'd actually been in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. You wouldn't have said, &quot;Wow! This is an interesting earthquake!&quot; while you were running for your life to get away from…” quote by Belinda Hollyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/belinda-hollyer-222564_humor_i-chose-the-san-francisco-earthquake-bec_2483264.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/belinda-hollyer-222564_humor_i-chose-the-san-francisco-earthquake-bec_2483264.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/belinda-hollyer-222564_humor_i-chose-the-san-francisco-earthquake-bec_2483264.jpg)

> ““I chose the San Francisco earthquake because it's very interesting- although maybe that isn't the word you'd have used if you'd actually been in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. You wouldn't have said, "Wow! This is an interesting earthquake!" while you were running for your life to get away from the collapsing buildings or fires that swept across the city afterward.””

Belinda Hollyer

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Describing an earthquake as “interesting” is inappropriate when people are in danger; the experience is terrifying, not curious.

**In simple terms:** Calling a disaster “interesting” is insensitive.

Key Takeaway

Use empathy when describing tragedies.

Themes

disaster response human experience empathy

Mood

ethical journalistic

Type

Humor:0 San francisco:1 Earthquake Interesting:0 Francisco Earthquake:1 Interesting Earthquake:0 Earthquake Running:0

When to use this quote

- Some may argue “interesting” refers to scientific aspects.

Key Concepts

journalism public speaking education mental health crisis communication

Questions to Reflect On

- reflective
- serious

A Different Perspective

How to discuss tragedies responsibly?;What language respects victims?

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[Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [San francisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/san-francisco/)

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