Today San Francisco is partying to the theme of The Big Rumble, a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake that shook the city with 6.9-Richter force, killing 63 and causing billions of dollars in damages.

Nathan Ballard, a mayoral spokesman, said the intention of the festivities was not to disrespect the losses suffered in the earthquake, but rather to “reinvigorate our commitment, not just to earthquake preparedness but to any type of hazard.”

“We’re just trying to connect with people,” Mr. Ballard said.

Along those lines, the city has produced a 30-page “Block Party Host Toolkit,” complete with “tons of great tips on how to throw the perfect bash,” covering promotion, budgeting and cuisine, among other things.

It does seem daffy to throw a frivolous celebration in the face of nature’s fury. Along these lines, should Southern Californians organize wildfire parties while their neighboring areas burn?

But I also understand the reaction: Even with the maximum amount of preparation, people are ultimately pretty powerless against what a serious earthquake will wreak. To counteract that lack of control, you might as well have a good time. I encountered that attitude firsthand, during my hurricane seasons in Florida, when hurricane parties routinely cropped up before, during, and after a storm. The chief difference is that you can see a hurricane coming days in advance; with earthquakes, they hit practically immediately, so any laugh-at-death partying has to wait until the aftershocks have subsided.