Human Adaptation to Disaster

Abstract

Never have the problems of sudden change and adaptation, order and disorder, destruction and reconstruction in human affairs been more compelling. Nature's potential of death and destruction is scarcely abated. Catastrophes of weather and earthquake occur no less frequently and are only slightly mollified by man's defenses. At the same time, man's potential to kill and destroy—whether by weapons of thermonuclear and biological warfare or by "peaceful" technology unexpectedly gone awry—becomes more and more awesome.