Vulnerability of the Masses and Fragility of the Self. A Pedagogical Reflection Starting from the CransMontana Tragedy

Abstract

The tragic event of Crans-Montana, part of a mournful series of crowd disasters at music events, calls for a thorough pedagogical reflection on the vulnerability of the masses and the fragility of the self in the age of social disintegration. This paper, starting from the analysis of this event, aims to investigate the crowd dynamics and the critical issues related to safety engineering that characterize large musical gatherings. The international scientific literature has widely demonstrated how, in situations of overcrowding, relational dynamics and the management of safety measures are decisive factors in preventing fatal outcomes. However, the Crans-Montana tragedy raises further psycho-pedagogical questions, related to the apparent unawareness of the danger shown by many young people present. Through a bio-psycho-social approach, the paper intends to overcome simplistic and blaming explanations, to promote a "culture of responsibility" that actively involves educational and training agencies. It is therefore intended to initiate a reflection on the urgency of educational paths aimed at developing greater risk awareness and promoting safe conduct within musical fruition spaces. The objective is to provide a contribution to the pedagogical debate on safety education as a practice of self-care and community care, in an era marked by the fragility of the self and the disintegration of social bonds.