What is the importance of the Titanic in the essay collection, Unreality of Memory?

Gabbert references the sinking of the Titanic in "Magnificent Desolation." She cites her experience watching a simulation of the tragedy online as the inception of her interest in disasters. At first, the YouTube video simply inspires Gabbert to further research the Titanic story. With time, however, the simultaneous tragedy and magnificence of the Titanic event gives way to Gabbert's more obsessive interest in studying catastrophes.