Extensions of our senses is what McLuhan called any and all media. The recent earthquake and tsumani has disrupted life in several nations, wrecked havoc on many of our fellow humans, and even changed the length of a day. The impact of ubiquitous digital technology that's affordable to many average people is rushing over the "legacy" media businesses like a tidal wave in the wake of the disaster. Videos by vacationers and blogs run by 20 year olds are getting big money from the mainstream media networks and big hits from viewers. Andreas Wacker blogger at, blogsnow was commenting on the Jon Stewart "Crossfire" video clip when he said

When the Internet wants to see something, it sees it.

And the Internet wants to see what the tsunami did. It seems a better media for viewing the videos than television because the viewer/user controls how they see the clips, and that inevitable feeling of "here it comes again" that accompanies television's big disaster moments (the Twin Towers falling, the big waves hitting) doesn't occur. In moments of sadness and despair, maybe we are served better by watching these things in ways that let us feel as individuals, not participate with a group, as if we were watching our favorite team win. WSJ.com - Video Blogs Break Out With Tsunami Scenes: "commentary and views on current events."