Only hours after a bus crash in Bathurst, NB, claimed the lives of seven high school basketball players and their coach's wife, a grieving student set up a Facebook memorial which collected up to 5,000 members from all over North America and Europe. Although the outpouring of support must help the grieving community get through this unthinkable tragedy, why do we turn to the Internet in these difficult times? Who benefits most from the memorial? Do the heartbroken families get any comfort from these Web tributes? Do electronic mourners gain anything from the experience?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Facebook Memorials
Only hours after a bus crash in Bathurst, NB, claimed the lives of seven high school basketball players and their coach's wife, a grieving student set up a Facebook memorial which collected up to 5,000 members from all over North America and Europe. Although the outpouring of support must help the grieving community get through this unthinkable tragedy, why do we turn to the Internet in these difficult times? Who benefits most from the memorial? Do the heartbroken families get any comfort from these Web tributes? Do electronic mourners gain anything from the experience?
