State of the World 2013 - The Anti-Apocalypse

The State of the World Report

2013

The Anti-Apocalypse

After a rather lackluster global hurricane season this year, I decided to look into how the rest of the worlds disasters fared statistically in 2013. Nearly every kind of disaster saw a decrease in activity this year, with some even having some historical significance. [Note: The last time both the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons both averaged below normal was 1977] Other notables include: Lowest Tornado Numbers in US since 2005 and the Lowest Forest Fire Numbers since 1989. Most totals rang in lower with some exceptions: Solar and Volcanic Activity still saw a small uptick recently. While the statistics show that natural disasters are on a decline, there were still many tragic disasters that did occur this year. After the 'Statistics' section of this report is a look at the worst disaster of 2013. 

Statistics 2013

Global Earthquake Total - Yearly Comparison

Global Hurricane ACE - Atlantic/Pacific Comparison

Global Tornado Totals - Euro/ US Comparison

US Forest Fires Rates

 Global Temperature Statistics

 

US Flood/Drought Yearly Comparison

Solar Activity in 2013

Volcanic Activity At A Glance

*An up to date volcano eruption chart was unavailable, please note this only goes until 2010.

 The Worst Disaster of 2013

 Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan was a pacific 'hurricane' that effected several countries (Micronesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Southern China, Taiwan) in November of this year for 8 days . It is thought to be one of the strongest hurricanes that has ever hit land, but as every country measures storms differently it is hard to get a consensus on that matter as it ties closely with several other storms. The preliminary damage estimates caused by Haiyan exceed 1.5 Billion US dollars, although it is still fairly early for those estimates to be entirely accurate. The death toll caused by Haiyan is currently over 6,100+ people and rising, with over 1,500 people still missing. The highest winds measured during the storm were as followed: 1 Min Sustained - 195 MPH, 10 Min Sustained - 145 MPH. The lowest recorded internal pressure of Haiyan is estimated to be around 895 MB at peak intensity. Just under 200 Millions Dollars was raised from countries worldwide to help support relief efforts, although this figure does not include charity donations, etc.

xoxo disaster girl

P.F.S. Links for the Curious
2013 Earthquakes At-A-Glance
2013 Atlantic Season At-A-Glance
ACE Total Archives
DG TDC - The Year Without a 'Cane
2013 Tornadoes At-A-Glance
US Forest Fire Statistics
US 2013 State of the Climate Report
Typhoon Haiyan Wiki
 

5 More Abandoned by the World - Apocalypse Now Photo Series - Part 2

Apocalypse Now 

 

Continuing with the Abandoned by the World - Apocalypse Now Photo Series, here we take another look at more of the world's breathtaking forgotten places. If you missed the first part of this series please stop here and read THIS LINK. With places like these readily available and scattered throughout the world- the apocalypse doesn't t necessarily have to happen for you to get a taste of it. Notice: Some of the places that are listed throughout this series have been either restricted, closed, or marked unsafe for humans to enter, however at one point in time someone was able to get in to take some pictures. This photo series continues for one last round on January 5th, 2014- so don't forget to stop back after New Years!

Wonderland Amusement Park, Chenzhuang, China

 Wonderland Amusement Park

Centralia, Pennsylvania

Centralia Pennsylvania

Oradour-sur-Glane, France

Oradour-sur-Glane, France

Ochamchira, Abkhazia

Ochamchira, Abkhazia

Newnes, New South Wales - Australia

Newnes Ghost Town

xoxo disaster girl

The Church of Google - Googlism, A Modern Day Tech Religion

THE CHURCH OF GOOGLE

& GOOGLISM

"We at the Church of Google believe the search engine Google is the closest humankind has ever come to directly experiencing an actual God (as typically defined). We believe there is much more evidence in favor of Google's divinity than there is for the divinity of other more traditional gods.

We reject supernatural gods on the notion they are not scientifically provable. Thus, Googlists believe Google should rightfully be given the title of "God", as She exhibits a great many of the characteristics traditionally associated with such Deities in a scientifically provable manner. We have compiled a list of nine proofs which definitively prove Google is the closest thing to a "god" human beings have ever directly experienced.

Proof Google Is God...

PROOF #1

Google is the closest thing to an Omniscient (all-knowing) entity in existence, which can be scientifically verified. She indexes over 9.5 billion WebPages, which is more than any other search engine on the web today. Not only is Google the closest known entity to being Omniscient, but She also sorts through this vast amount of knowledge using Her patented PageRank technology, organizing said data and making it easily accessible to us mere mortals.

PROOF #2

Google is everywhere at once (Omnipresent). Google is virtually everywhere on earth at the same time. Billions of indexed Webpages hosted from every corner of the earth. With the proliferation of Wi-Fi networks, one will eventually be able to access Google from anywhere on earth, truly making Her an omnipresent entity.

PROOF #3

Google answers prayers. One can pray to Google by doing a search for whatever question or problem is plaguing them. As an example, you can quickly find information on alternative cancer treatments, ways to improve your health, new and innovative medical discoveries and generally anything that resembles a typical prayer. Ask Google and She will show you the way, but showing you is all She can do, for you must help yourself from that point on.

PROOF #4

Google is potentially immortal. She cannot be considered a physical being such as ourselves. Her Algorithms are spread out across many servers; if any of which were taken down or damaged, another would undoubtedly take its place. Google can theoretically last forever.

PROOF #5

Google is infinite. The Internet can theoretically grow forever, and Google will forever index its infinite growth.

PROOF #6

Google remembers all. Google caches Webpages regularly and stores them on its massive servers. In fact, by uploading your thoughts and opinions to the internet, you will forever live on in Google's cache, even after you die, in a sort of "Google Afterlife".

PROOF #7

Google can "do no evil" (Omnibenevolent). Part of Google's corporate philosophy is the belief that a company can make money without being evil.

PROOF #8

According to Google trends, the term "Google" is searched for more than the terms "God", "Jesus", "Allah", "Buddha", "Christianity", "Islam", "Buddhism" and "Judaism" combined.

God is thought to be an entity in which we mortals can turn to when in a time of need. Google clearly fulfills this to a much larger degree than traditional "gods", as shown in the image below (click to enlarge).

PROOF #9

Evidence of Google's existence is abundant.

There is more evidence for the existence of Google than any other God worshiped today. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. If seeing is believing, then surf over to www.google.com and experience for yourself Google's awesome power. No faith required.

-The Church of Google

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. Thou shalt have no other Search Engine before me, neither Yahoo nor Lycos, AltaVista nor Metacrawler. Thou shalt worship only me, and come to Google only for answers.
2. Thou shalt not build thy own commercial-free Search Engine, for I am a jealous Engine, bringing law suits and plagues against the fathers of the children unto the third and fourth generations.
3. Thou shalt not use Google as a verb to mean the use of any lesser Search Engine.
4. Thou shalt remember each passing day and use thy time as an opportunity to gain knowledge of the unknown.
5. Thou shalt honor thy fellow humans, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or race, for each has invaluable experience and knowledge to contribute toward humankind.
6. Thou shalt not misspell whilst praying to me.
7. Thou shalt not hotlink.
8. Thou shalt not plagiarize or take undue credit for others work.
9. Thou shalt not use reciprocal links nor link farms, for I am a vengeful but fair engine and will diminish thy PageRank. The Google Dance shall cometh. 
10. Thou shalt not manipulate Search Results. Search Engine Optimization is but the work of Microsoft.

Seriously though, this is like the best thing ever. Please check out the full site below, which is listed in the Links for the Curious section of this post. The comedic gold continues there, and in all honestly- however how amusing this may be.. it's actually quite true. Google is a god, and she's freaking awesome.

xoxo disaster girl

P.F.S. Links for the Curious

The Church of Google 

2013 - The Year Without a 'Cane

Le Sigh, Hurricane Season is Over 

The Last Four Atlantic Hurricane Seasons

Well that was a bit of a disappointment to say the least. The Atlantic 2013 hurricane season began this year with its first storm Tropical Storm Andrea a mere five days after its start. What was forecasted to be a busy season in the TSR review (Tropical Storm Risk Review) was actually well below average but the Atlantic basin was not alone. Even the last below average season the Atlantic saw in 2009 had a whole lot more action than the 2013 season did - 2009 Summary.

This season produced barely a hurricane, with only two forming that either didn't hit US land (Hurricane Ingrid - Mexico), or barely sustained hurricane status for long (Hurricanes Ingrid & Humberto). The tropical storm total rang low this year as well with a total of 13 tropical storms compared to last years 20 tropical storms and 10 hurricanes. Below is a closer look at the ACE data, or the Accumulated Cyclone Energy which uses wind measurements to both measure a storm and an entire season.

2013 World Hurricane Season At A Glance

Atlantic Hurricane Season - ACE - Below Normal - 28% of Average

Pacific Hurricane Season -  MEAN ACE - Below Normal - EST 77% of Average

Global Hurricane Season - ACE - 74% of Average

With no El Nino surface temperatures it has been difficult for forecasters and meteorologists to pin down exactly why this season has slowed down. This years slump also has meteorologists questioning whether or not climate change matters should be factored in at all, with many adding that this level of inactivity has never been seen with ocean conditions as they were this year. In June of 2014 we will usher in the next hurricane season, I have my fingers crossed that it's not as unremarkable as this season was & hope that I can bring the Video/Live Coverage back with some cool stuff.

Until Next Year!

xoxo disaster girl

P.F.S. Links for the Curious

2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season 

ACE GUIDE