Image courtesy of NOAA, tsunami.gov

There’s no doubt that the earthquake in Chile today is a horrible, horrible tragedy. It’s yet another terrible reminder that we truly are at the mercy of nature–as if Haiti wasn’t proof enough. But as with Haiti, we’re witnessing an amazing case study of people coming together with technology to manage the impact of this natural disaster, and it’s truly fascinating to watch.

This morning I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and immediately read the news of the earthquake on Twitter, from my bed. I watched news coverage of the event on TV while I worked out in the gym in my apartment. I kept track of updates on the earthquake and resulting tsunami via Twitter throughout my make-up class session this morning.

When I went downtown this afternoon, I listened to NPR’s coverage of the event on my iPhone while I was biking, and then watched coverage of the impending tsunami in Hawaii via Ustream on my iPhone while at Chinatown Coffee. I continued listening to the audio from Ustream while I biked back–including in the metro thanks to relatively new wireles capability for all carriers they’ve installed in the largest metro stations in the city.

Within all of this coverage, of I heard references to Twitter, Twitpic, Posterous, Ustream, Facebook, CNN iReports, hashtags, texting, iPhones, and more.

The natural disasters, record snowstorms, unprecedented level of news coverage, and rapidly advancing online technology we’ve seen in the past three months alone prove–loud and clear–the world is changing, and fast. Social media is playing an integral role in this. I saw a tweet earlier today mentioning that Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter, said one of the initial purposes driving Twitter’s development was for crisis response and management. The Haiti and Chile earthquakes prove that it’s been incredibly effective for it.

Again, this is obviously an absolutely tragic event. It’s an incredible case study for technology, but obviously one we all wish we could’ve avoided. I know my thoughts, as well as millions and millions of others’ thoughts, are with those in Chile–as well as those still recovering in Haiti–and we hope we can continue to drive the development of technology and advanced communications to ease recovery from disasters such as these.

Now before I start, please don’t get me wrong–the consequences I outline below are generally positive ones, but this is by no means a positive situation. These are purely my observations and some potential side-effects of the tragedy that I can envision. The crisis in Haiti has the potential to have an incredible national impact here in the United States. Clearly, the nation of Haiti will never be the same, but this crisis may affect us more than you imagine. Below, I’ve listed three areas where I can see this crisis having–potentially–a major impact.

Communications

This event, much like Obama’s usage of social media in 2008 and the Iran Election in the summer of 2009, promises to once again strengthen the role social media plays in modern communications. Just last week I tweeted about a new, important article on Twitter by David Carr. In it, he referenced this Time article by Steven Johnson saying:

“The history of the Internet suggests that there have been cool Web sites that go in and out of fashion and then there have been open standards that become plumbing,” said Steven Johnson, the author and technology observer who wrote a seminal piece about Twitter for Time last June. “Twitter is looking more and more like plumbing, and plumbing is eternal.”

Plumbing. It couldn’t be more true, and the past 48 hours’ activities on Twitter proves it. Not only have at least one of the words or phrases “Red Cross”, “YELE” or “#haiti” been in the top trending topics since the tragedy occurred, but organizations like the Red Cross are using the service in unprecedented ways to build support and solicit donations for aid to the struggling island nation. That people are turning to a service like Twitter for a tragedy such as this shows just how essential of a communications tool it has become.

Twitter lists are finally coming of age with the events in Haiti. Until now, Twitter lists seemed like just another handy feature to have, good for organizing people on Twitter or recommending large groups of people to other users. Now they have an all new, potentially life-saving purpose: monitoring the situation on the ground in Haiti. Many users on Twitter have already started lists of people on the ground in Haiti. CNN has a list of its own I’d recommend following.

Finally, Twitter has blogged about the event and even explained how you can find searches on the ground in Haiti and even even translate them into English. Go here and on the right select the link for “Translate to English”. Never before, in any catastrophe such as this, has there been so much potential to help, donate and save lives. I think this–possibly more so than any of the events before it–will change the perception of Twitter from a “fun” social media activity to a serious communications medium. Twitter is not just a Web site. It’s not just a company. It’s a revolutionary form of communication.

Politics

I am never, ever in favor of politicizing any tragedy. But I refuse to ignore the fact that this event will no doubt have political implications for the United States.

It’s no secret the Democrats have been struggling lately against an onslaught of bad news, negative media coverage and Republican attacks. Many things can and surely will happen between now and November that will all have significant impacts on the 2010 midterm elections. However, I strongly believe this event could also be a turning point for Democrats, for a few reasons.

First, this tragedy clearly shifts the media agenda. In the past two weeks headlines have been dominated by problems passing healthcare reform, negative polling data for Democrats, blusterous attacks by Republicans, controversial quotes, and more. Flip on the TV now and what do you see? Haiti.

Secondly, President Obama’s swift action to send humanitarian aid to Haiti has received incredibly positive coverage. On both sides of the aisle politicos and politicians are putting aside divisive issues and praising his action to provide outstanding support to the struggling island nation. His statement this morning acted as a sort of rallying cry for America to come to Haiti’s aid. It was forceful, detailed, and spoken with powerful conviction. In many ways it was a return to his rhetorical style of the campaign, spoken with more confidence and direction than many of his recent speeches.

This rallying cry doesn’t just rally Democrats but all Americans. It brings us together in an effort to support Haiti in any way possible. And despite the completely nonpartisan nature of this speech and President Obama’s actions, he will likely be looked upon quite favorably for it.

Finally, the events of Haiti place the political “game” off of the table for at least several days. Any of those caught criticizing the government for spending money in aid of Haiti, for “losing focus”, for using Haiti for political game–they will all be skewered by media and the American citizen, and rightly so. Regardless of who gains in this tragedy politically, it will not be by their choice nor will politics be their motivation to act. But for any and all who attempt to directly politicize this (I’m looking at you Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson)–shame on you.

Truth be told, I would rather see Democrats lose every election this year than see a tragedy like Haiti. But the potential political consequences are there.

The Economy

The consequences of Haiti on our economy may not be direct and they may not be great. But I believe they may be there. It’s simple and rational: despite the economic hardship the United States is currently facing, Haiti is clearly in much worse shape. Even before the earthquake, Haiti was a severely impoverished country. Now, the island is facing literally almost 100% unemployment (compared to our 10%) and has absolutely nothing. How’s that for a little perspective?

It’s my thinking that as Americans see this images coming out of Haiti, perhaps they’ll take a moment to reflect on their own economic situation and begin to take heart in what us Americans too often take for granted. Even those jobless and living in poverty in the United States can hardly relate to the dirty, diseased and impoverished conditions in Haiti.

As Americans take into account this radical comparison, perhaps they’ll understand that far too many opportunities are being missed and taken for granted here in the United States. I know that there are jobs out there, many of which require little in the way of education or previous experience. Far too many unemployed have simply not looked hard enough, or have given up far too early. Perhaps images of Haiti will motivate down and outs in our own country to take a look around and take advantage of what we are so lucky to have.

Haiti is just but one event this year, but it is a major one. It’s a horrendous tragedy with serious implications all across the world, but particularly in Haiti itself and here in the United States. Whether looking at the consequences of this tragedy from a communications, political, or economic aspect, the effects will be fascinating to witness.

Don’t forget to donate, please. This is important.