08/25/2014
Why Shanghai Subway Passengers Ran Away From Man Who Fainted
When a man fainted in a crowded subway car in Shanghai, other passengers fled in a mad dash and left the man lying on the floor. The passengers' reaction was criticized by many Chinese, but one blogger wrote, “People have been strained ... as terrorist attacks have been widespread all over the world... a stranger’s abrupt collapse can trigger every frightened person to flee from the scene."
■Class discussion: Can you sympathize with the passengers who ran away in fear? Have you ever fled from something you feared, such as an angry bee, growling dog or threatening stranger? How can fear help someone survive? How can fear threaten someone's survival? Do news reports about crime, terrorist attacks and disasters make people more likely to panic? Can being better informed actually help people avoid panic?