Twitter – As powerful as an earthquake
Imagine awakening only to learn there’d been a major earthquake in Chile, where you have family. We did.
Many of our friends know Sheryl’s brother Brian and his wife Mariali. We’ve all been friends for quite some time (Jaiku, Facebook, Twitter), but now we’re also family. She lives just outside Santiago, not far from where the big earthquake hit this morning.
We immediately tried calling, texting, online, but no contact. Power, water, and phones are out there. In many areas the devastation is severe. We simply didn’t have any idea. We reached to social media. Everywhere.
People responded, mostly by retweeting. The power of the retweet is something we take for granted. A man we didn’t know in any way sent a simple tweet that he was in Chile and
asked how he could help. We scrambled to give him every bit of useful information that we could come up with.
He messaged several times that phones were out and he couldn’t get through. Then, amazingly he said “as soon as I get a chance I will go to the address you gave me.” Through Twitter, we made contact with someone in another continent, but close enough to go physically check on our family.
If that isn’t magical enough for you, if you really don’t understand the power of human communications through technology, the power of what we can do together, within two hours of our first contact with this man, I got a DM in Twitter than said “found her! she is OK…. she told me to tell Twinkie to stay cool, she is fine!” And an email with more info on how to try to contact her directly.
Twitter’s a tool. The power is in the people, but the reach and potential is far bigger than you understand. Until your life is personally and directly impacted, you simply can’t truly appreciate that power.
Technology gives power to communications tools. Communications tools give power to people. People impact one another and change the world.
Our deepest heartfelt thanks to @jpcoderch. You are our hero of the Santiago earthquake JP. Now we’re connected. At some point Sheryl and I hope to visit Mariali in Chile. It’s a part of our family. I hope we can take you to dinner one day and get to know each other in person as well
Side note: Many of you know our dearest and best friend, JP. What an interesting bit of serendipity that our new friend and hero is also JP. John Paul and Juan Pablo. Two gentlemen and friends who touch our lives.
on February 27th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Wow what a story and so true about the power of Twitter and the connections there. Glad to hear she’s okay.
on February 27th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Thank you Angel. This is so powerful.
on February 27th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Wonderful to read. Amazing how something with the power to reach everything – is encapsulated in this one act; so perfectly.
Namaste,
Tina Louise
@tinalouiseUK
on February 27th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by jdlasica [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
My wife has family in both Santiago and Concepcion. So far, we have heard from a cousin in Concepcion where the town was devastated. We could not call her, but she posted a response to my wife on Facebook through her mobile phone.
Social media has given us a way to communicate with people half way around the world even when phone service is unavailable.
on February 27th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
[...] that in this situation, simply didn’t work.The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post.Have you heard other stories of social media connecting missing loved ones in Chile, Haiti, or [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Just found this story via twitter (of course) and was moved to comment. How truly incredible. But most of all, so glad you’re sister is doing well. Wow.
on February 27th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Great story. I’ll bring it up when I speak at SxSWi about Latin America and the web. I was up all night and as soon as I started seeing the tweets about Chile my heart sank. Earthquakes are so devastating. I pray for everyone in Chile.
on February 27th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Thank you so much Esteban. It’s always awful to hear the stories. Of course for us this time around we are just grateful beyond anything that social media came to the rescue. I am awed by the power of it. Truly inspired.
My thoughts go out to all waiting to hear about their loved ones right this minute. I have been there in agony wondering with them, and I wish them the luck I had.
on February 27th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
For any who wonder, we’ve been talking to people all day who are trying to find loved ones. Please read and share http://kencamp.posterous.com/finding-family-and-friends-in-chile-please-sh
Text is below
Finding Family and Friends in Chile (PLEASE SHARE)
There are all sorts of relief efforts for the people in Chile. Please give and help. This post is for people trying to find family or friends in Chile. Since our story about finding Mariali through Twitter and social media, we’ve been contacted by many people asking for our help. And we’re doing all we can, but please spread this word and help them too.
First go to http://chilepersonfinder.appspot.com. Fill in as much information as you possibly can. Add a picture if you can. It will help people recognize a face. Phone numbers may be the single most important thing. In Santiago, telephone service is intermittent. It’s down more than up, but it does work some. We’ve spoken to Mariali.
Call 1-888-407-4747 for information about family. It may not be as fast or up to date, but it’s a resource. They are doing the best they can about gathering information
Use text messages for cell phones. Repeatedly. SMS gets through often when calls don’t. Do not rely just on voice. Use the technology for all it is worth.
If you’re on Twitter, use it like crazy. The most productive hashtags we know of are #chile #terremotochile #quake Twitter is a powerful tool. It’s how we connected with JP in Santiago (using hashtags). He lives in the impacted area and has been helping find people all day and helping people there.
If you aren’t already using Twitter and you’re trying to find someone, it’s an awful circumstance to start, but start. Go to http://www.twitter.com and sign up. Follow @kencamp and @sherylbreuker. Send a message to us using @kencamp or @sherylbreuker. We’ll point you to the best help we know of. You’ll have a learning curve, but it may put you in touch with your loved one.
We’ll try to help. We really will. But we’re in Walla Walla, WA and reliant solely on technology and luck. The best we can really do is try to give you these tips and point you to resources. If need be, email us at kencamp@gmail.com or gabbygeek@gmail.com and we’ll send you this information to share.
Please copy, post, share, tweet this information freely. We may be in another part of the world, but we can all pull together and help find the missing people in Chile.
on February 27th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
[...] More of this story is detailed in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 27th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 8:59 am
[...] O ca?ej historii mo?na przeczyta? wi?cej na blogu Sheryl. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 11:05 am
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on February 28th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
[...] a final note, Twitter is also used to find missing persons. And with positive results I may add, as this article explains. Google also has a Person Finder database running, which it had done for te Haiiti [...]
on March 1st, 2010 at 2:16 am
one of my friend is in chile. i couldnt contact her after the earthquake.. she lived in vina del mar and valparaiso. can u please anyhow contact her or can u let me know how is she.. her name is ruht romar.. my contact number is +919916759433 and email devilmill@hotmail.com. i will be very thankful if u can do so… waiting for ur reply
on March 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
I have posted on twitter too but have not been able to find our family.
Barret and Cynthia Buchholz in Concepcion.
He taught English at the University.
He lives at Victoria 1230, Apt 50-A Concepcion.
If anyone can help look for them, please help.
We have called everyone from Fox news and CNN to our state reps and cant get through!
on March 1st, 2010 at 8:49 am
Gazi – I passed your information along to our friend in Santigao. I know he will try to find what he can and may have someone he knows or can contact in Valparaiso. If you have a last known phone number or address or something that will be a big help.
Sarah – Please check your email. I’ve passed your info along but if you have a recent or last known telephone number, that has been the most effective ways of locating people. Our friend is in Santiago, but may be able to help pass the information along to someone in Concepcion.
on March 1st, 2010 at 9:12 am
the phone number i have . its a cell phone number . i dont know the exact place she was staying
the cell hpone number is 0056989557381
i am very thankful to u people for helping people like us. god bless u . and i wish u be happy through out ur life . god bless u ken and sheryl..thank u so much. let me know if u can find anything. if u need pictures of her i can send it to ur email
on March 1st, 2010 at 9:16 am
and ken she is suffering from Spina bifida . she will be in a wheel chair.. i am really worried about her. please let me know if u get any info.. god bless u
on March 1st, 2010 at 9:39 am
Gazi, Ken is making sure to get the information out to our contact. Would you like me to put this on twitter too? I would be glad to help in anyway I can.
My best to you and Ruht. I hope she is ok.
on March 1st, 2010 at 10:38 am
yeah it will be great if u can publish it on twitter and other social network site . do u need her pictures for any assistance
on March 1st, 2010 at 10:46 am
Yes pictures help. Email it and I will get it to JP in Santiago to pass along if you can.
on March 1st, 2010 at 11:16 am
FOUND THEM!
Someone just called from Australia to let us know that they were with this lady’s sister and that they even had food and water!
Thank you all, and I will continue to pray for the safe return of everyone who is still unaccounted for.
Many thanks,
Sarah Marie
on March 1st, 2010 at 11:35 am
Sarah I am so very happy for you!!! Congratulations.
Sheryl
on March 1st, 2010 at 11:45 am
which email address i should send the pictures..?
on March 1st, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Gazi send picture to kencamp@gmail.com
on March 1st, 2010 at 1:00 pm
thank u mr ken. i have send u the pictures of ruht . and her contact details. any info u get let me know. god bless u and ur family. and i am praying for all the peoples of chile to overcome from this tragedy.. thank u
on March 2nd, 2010 at 2:52 am
hey ken and sheryl . my love of my life ruht is back. finally she contact me. god bless u guys . and u r doing a fine job to help people in this situation.. thank u so much
on March 2nd, 2010 at 5:36 pm
[...] [...]
on March 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 pm
[...] like meeting friends for drinks or getting advice on local food carts, or for gathering life-saving information (via Mashable) on friends or family who may be in harm’s way. Remember the June 2009 [...]
on March 3rd, 2010 at 10:06 am
[...] Missing Family Member Found via Twitter 3 03 2010 This is a great example of how social media can help in disaster related situations. A woman was able to track down a missing family member who was in Chile during the time of the massive earthquake that rattled the area. Since the power and phone lines were down, the woman logged onto Twitter and used hashtags to make a connection with people in Santiago where her family member lived. Many people responded by retweeting the mission person link, created by Google’s Chile Earthquake Person Finder. You can read the rest of the story here. [...]
on March 4th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Bookmarked http://stardustglobalventures.com/2010/02/27/twitter-as-powerful-as-an-earthquake/. Thank you for sharing. Definitely worth the time away from the books.
on March 5th, 2010 at 3:29 am
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]
on March 5th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
[...] scria un b?rbat din Chile, dup? cutremur. El a reu?it s? î?i g?seasc? nevasta în dou? ore. Ea a disp?rut din cauza [...]
on March 6th, 2010 at 7:08 am
You can count me in for a Digg. Thanks for posting this on your blog!
on March 9th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
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on March 11th, 2010 at 3:48 am
[...] The story is detailed further in Breuker’s blog post. [...]