The Power of the Internet

There have been many arguments regarding whether the Internet brings people together or whether it keeps people apart by substituting electronic interaction for interpersonal. I can make the argument for both sides, but yesterday it provided a meaningful example of how it brings people together.

We were on vacation in Mexico a few weeks ago. We had gone on a catamaran snorkeling trip at a reef off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. As we weighed anchor and prepared to head back to the marina, we witnessed a very unfortunate incident at another catamaran anchored nearby. One of the snorkelers from that catamaran had returned to the vessel ahead of the others, presumably because he wasn’t feeling well, and suffered a heart attack just as he reached the ship. We watched valiant rescue efforts by the boat’s crew as well as a paramedic onboard our ship who dove into the sea and swam to the other boat to assist, and that of a speed boat that was dispatched very quickly from the marina. The victim was transported by the speedboat back to the marina, while attempts at resuscitation continued onboard followed by additional efforts by paramedics back at the dock. As we sailed into the marina, we watched as it was determined by the police and EMS teams that the resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was draped in a sheet. Needless to say, it was a very somber and sobering event.

We had no information regarding the victim, but when we returned to New York I used Google News to find out that the victim was a man in his 30’s from Omaha on his honeymoon. His wife had remained with the rest of the snorkelers and was not even aware of what had transpired until the group returned to the catamaran. It was a very sad story to begin with, made all the more so since the victim had apparently not had an easy life and his new marriage marked a turning point where everything seemed to finally be coming together and he was happier than he had ever been in his life.

The news story that I had found on the site for Southwest Iowa news permitted users to leave comments. I left a comment indicating that we had witnessed the incident, conveyed our condolences to the victim’s family noting that I lost both my father and best friend to untimely heart attacks, and praised the crew of the ship, the staff at the marina, and the local authorities for their speedy and valiant though unsuccessful efforts. The comment showed my name and location.

Again, through the power of the internet and search engines, I received an e-mail from the victim’s sister yesterday asking if she had reached the Matthew Grob who had left the comment on the news site. We ended up speaking on the phone and she conveyed to me how much my comments had meant to her, her widowed sister-in-law, and the rest of their family. Being able to speak with me apparently brought a great deal of comfort, especially to their mother.

I remember how much it meant that a few months after my father’s death, we were able to meet with someone who had been with him when he died. We didn’t know this man, but just speaking with him brought a great degree of comfort and I was so pleased yesterday to have provided a similar service to another family.

You can say a lot about the power of the Internet, both good and bad. I am happy to report that at least yesterday, it was certainly a positive force in our lives.