Comparison of dejanews keyword counts for "SARS virus" and "Avian flu" -
Several points of interest in this simple graph. The "world awareness" of both panics is similar (so far). And notice how the "SARS" spike generates a minor blip (a discussion) about "avian flu", and vice versa.
The "SARS" dead-cat bounce peak triggers a much greater discussion about "avian flu".
I have a theory. In the pre-electricity world, information travelled at about the same rate and same vectors as disease. In today's world, information travels far faster than human vectors, even with airplanes. It's possible that the Internet played a hand in preventing a SARS epidemic in 2003.
Refer back to the Meme Capacitance Equivalent entry. It was probably mumbo-jumbo to 99% of the readers back then, but "SARS" versus "Avian Flu" demonstrates its relevance. Previous meme exposure probably leaves a persistent societal fingerprint (a permanent change in reaction) which is measurable during successive exposures to the same (or a similar) meme.
Comparison of latency fingerprints for "SARS" and "avian flu" (time scale for "SARS" is shifted, for ease of comparison) -
I had expected to see distinct differences if the previous "SARS" exposure created a persistent change in how society reacts to a pandemic meme. Look at how sharp the response is to "avian flu" versus "SARS". Most people don't know the true mortality rate of SARS. I monitored the case numbers daily and the mortality was fearful, something in the 15-20% range, roughly equivalent to the Black Plague.
Circumstantial evidence, though.
Not a real proof, but it is a good example of why a "meme capacitance" equivalent might be useful.
----
Note: The words "beautiful" and "attractive" are often used interchangeably, but I'm fairly careful to use them appropriately.
( Feb 18 2006, 03:06:44 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [2]
Posted by Student Loan Consolidation Program on February 08, 2007 at 06:58 AM EST
Website: http://consolidate.student.loan.googlepages.com/student-loan-consolidation.html #
Posted by credit card debt consolidation on February 20, 2007 at 09:42 AM EST
Website: http://del.icio.us/credit_card_debt #