At times, as families and countries, we feel disconnected from everything and then, almost as an act of god, Notre Dame brings hundreds of millions together, catholics and others, like a death in the family. Dear Paris, dear France, we are with you.

Having said that, I read recently of a study that said "social" media is causing more dissension and turmoil than the opposite: bringing publics closer together. The finger-pointing in one particular direction here indicates there may be something to it.