Natural disasters don't discriminate. But they affect some communities more than others. The trick is in seeing how the artifacts of our culture react to the force of mother nature. What areas seem to recover slower? Which communities get aid last? What areas get rebuilt first?

This is not hard to determine. I saw it first-hand in Biloxi, Mississippi right after Hurricane Katrina hit. Homes on the poorer side of town lay in shambles while the casinos on the coast served lavish buffets. I remember when my fellow volunteers and I were invited to eat at one of those casinos. Given what we'd seen down below in Biloxi, none of us were able to take a bite.

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