Modern Day War of the Worlds

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/7442366/Russia-invasion-spoof-report-spreads-panic-in-Georgia.html

I think it is noteworthy what can happen to a seemingly structurally sound society when there is even a scare of disaster. It is critical to understand this complete breakdown of society caused by a 'mob' mentality. This story is a repeat of the George Orwell's War of the Worlds. Just in case, you thought this can only happen in 1938 with Orson Welles' radio broadcast, this news story comes to teach us that panic can occur even in our 'enlightened' age of modern communication.

Just a rumor can start a chain reaction that can set off rioting, looting and general panic. As the article explains, "Gripped by panic, mobile phone networks crashed, people started fleeing the capital, crowds rushed to stock up on vital foodstuffs, and there were reports of volunteer fighters preparing to resist. Other TV channels interrupted their own broadcasts to show Imedi's footage and, for a short period, some Russian media began to broadcast the "news."

I hope that we can learn from this lesson. It can just as easily happen in our own state of Georgia as it did in the far away Asian state!