Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Anniversary Adulation? (9/11)
When I got to school that same day (September 11), I decided to revisit an exercise (for my Media Literacy course) relating to the 9-11 attacks. We worked on that, but then I found myself exploring a tangent, internally. It seems that the United States (and maybe other western cultures) have a preoccupation (I almost wrote "obsession") with anniversaries: 9-11, Pearl Harbor, various civil rights events, the list goes on. Some of these anniversaries are commemorated with national holidays; some are not. But I began to wonder why. Why are we so interested in anniversaries, and why do the media support or even initiate these commemorations? (And how about that word "commemoration" anyway?) I don't mean to make a value judgment or question the validity of these anniversaries, just ask the question. As I had heard those radio moments, I had wondered, Why are all these shows noting this anniversary? Is it what the listeners want? Is it what the producers think the listeners want? How often are the producers (of any given show or movie) wrong about what the listeners or viewers want? As I listened, and as I noticed news in print or on the Internet about other anniversary commemorations relating to the 9-11 attacks, part of me thought the whole thing rather maudlin. I mean, I was there in New York City that day; friends of mine were endangered; I will never forget. But I didn't lose anyone in the attacks in New York or on the Pentagon or on that field in Pennsylvania. I merely shared in the communal grief and loss that so many millions of us experienced (and continue to experience). So I expect it's different for those with a closer connection. And who decides how many anniversaries should be commemmorated, or with what frequency? When do we stop noting the anniversary? Or stop making events around such a date? For 9-11, there was a big thing last year, on the fifth anniversary, but judging by newspaper accounts, the sixth-year anniversary wasn't much smaller. I remember a huge 50th anniversary event (or set of events) around D-Day. But then the 60th was a big deal, too. So for whom are these anniversaries held? For whom are the events put on? Are they just part of the media circus? Or are they satisfying a larger, deeper need? (Of course, I can surmise my own answers to some of these questions...) But then I'm the guy who sometimes questions why people "need a place to go to" in order to remember a loved one who has died. I don't judge others for needing it, but I wonder why. On a very personal level, my brother is buried in a cemetery in Addison, Maine, far from where I live, but I remember him in my own way, on my own time, and nowhere near that lovely resting place. Maybe the anniversaries serve a function that is similar, communally, on a large scale and individually, to that served by cemeteries.
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16 comments:
The media is just doing what the always try to do to get more views and better ratings. They are using 9-11 and playing on people feelings from the event. They are capitalizing on 911.
That's because that is the media's job. It's not only 9/11 where you see this happening. It ALWAYS happens, no matter what you're talking about ( candidate issues, sports, celebrity status, etc.). If they didn't capitalize on 911, then they obviously wouldn't be doing their job; how can you ignore such a big issue?
I do agree that the media is just trying to get more ratings by useing 9-11. Also its probaby a tradition thing, we as a culture like to celebrate aything. Also people now probaby feel a need to because we are at war so we have to have comemerate the dead. But I personaly do not see a reason to have programs on TV to remember 9-11, it was a big attack on Americans and lots of people died it's hard to forget that. all they are doing is reminding us for the fear we all felt witch is what the terrorist wanted to do.
Isn't it sad that the media (and politicians) feel that they have to play on fear in order to get ratings (or a positive reaction to their message)? Why not simply report the news? Is capitalizing on something the same as reporting on it? Why the seemingly endless reportage? What is the job of news organizations anyway? To terrify and titillate, or to tell and let the viewers interpret and react as they will? Where is the line? Zschack came closest to my larger idea, though, when he mentioned culture. Why does our culture feel this need to celebrate, to commemorate the dead in any context? (Again, I'm not saying it's bad; it's just something I think about.)
I must say indeed you touched on a very important issue. I have to say I very strongly agree with you.
Ever since 9-11 people have used it as an excuse to capitalize on it. I feel that people should never forget that day But another part of me says that the celebrations are used way to much.
I feel that the people that passed away on that awful day will only be forgotten if people choose to forget them I don't think there is a need to make a huge deal.
I think that while it may be annoying for the media to use 9/11 to play on people's emotions...that is their job. They are supposed to report on stories that people are interested in. And what are people interested in more than their own misery, and tragedy? People have strong emotions about 9/11, therefore they eat it up when NBC puts on a 2-hour special about the events of 9/11. I think that people in general are interested in things that cause them pain. Therefore 9/11 is a huge media opportunity.
Why we seem to be obsessed with anniversaries? I think that it goes back to the fact that people feel the need to relive things that cause them pain, and joy. So I guess that if you're going to be celebrating a wedding, or commemorating an event like 9/11, it makes sense to do so on the date that the event occurred. That makes the commemoration of that event consistent. Without an anniversary, we would just choose random days to celebrate things. I guess I'm the only one who thinks that makes sense.
When anniversaries come around like 9-11 I think that people feel like sharing such a tragic memory brings them closer together.
It always seems to bring out the patriotic side in people. As long as people keep giving anniversaries like this such big reactions, the media will continue to publicize them so much. Whatever gets them the extra dollar in the end.
As Yankeessuke461 says, it is the medias job to take something that draws emotions in people and run them over and over again. I think its because they believe in the theory that if you beat a dead horse constantly than its twitching might make some semblance of life. People are predictable though, in order to fully remember things people need to visit locations and events so that they can get the emotional feeling from it again, and the best time to get the most emotional response is on the day that the event happened at a later year.
I agree with what yankeessuck461 I feel he touched on another issue that most people don't see and or understand.
I believe that the way he worded it was a very true whether people wanna believe it.
I also think people deny the fact that they relive things to cause them pain. I also think that people will continue to deny the fact that they will keep doing it to.
Yankeessuck461 is correct not just in the fact that the Yankees suck, but also that it is the medias job to report on these stories and remember the lives that are lost. If the media did not do anything on the anniversary of 9/11 then people would be complaining about how the media doesn't care. The media cannot just leave this tragic event alone, as it played a huge factor in our society and how many people live their lives. People need to remember the lives that were lost and give their deepest sympathy to the family members who lost someone
(Though they're not really here to respond. . .)
Yankeesuck, saying that "people in general have a fascination with things that cause them pain" is a very true statement, but saying that the media is exploiting that singly is overlooking a sea of other emotions at play.
First, the fact that we are so focused on ceremonies and the like is to keep from appearing heartless. I myself remember the days following the attacks, people were demanding 9/11 be made into a national day of remembrance, the school was offering counseling to students having trouble coping, all sorts of things. Over time it died down.
But imagine the next 9/11 with no mention. People would say the tragedy was being ignored, the Government didn't care, the media didn't care.
And look at what does happen.The programs and ceremonies, they do it because people fear forgetting the dead. Because people feel they owe the lost remembrance,and letting it go seems heartless.
So with all this mixing around subconsciously in America's collective head its not only the interest in the morbid that drive us to remember. Its the fear of forgetting, the pride in our country and for some the love of those taken from them that average morning.
I think Magooner is just using other peoples thoughts insted of trying to come up with his own. People shouldn't be such "tools" as to form with something just because it's the popular thing at the time. It would be nice to see original posts and ideas
The comment that yankkeessuck461 and magooner52091 wrote are both really good points on this subject. When Yankeessuck461 says that it's the media job to play on subjects that people are interested in its true. Yes it might make the people who lost their loved ones on that day would be upset but I think that they (the media) are doing it to show what really happened to people who don't really know and to also show the other conspiracy that came out of this day. As for the anniversary, I think that we should go back so that the younger generation won't forget or will learn about this awful day. Its just like how there is a movie made about Pearl Harbor.
I understand where MrB is coming from. If you connect with the situation so much, then you shouldn't have to have an anniversary to remember it. You most likely have them or the situation in the back of your mind already. It is a prime example of media needing something to display or show on TV. Although i agree with what you are say, I am one of those people that enjoy watching the memorials of 9-11 on the History channel or something. I don't know why. Maybe it's because i want a better understanding what what actually was going on that day and why. But i totally understand where you are coming from.
i feel this anniversaries are very played out.its sometimes like an new song that they play over and over again until you just cant take hearing it anymore.This day was a horrible one and many people lost alot of loved ones but i also belive by bringing it up all the time the healing process never really starts.if you keep scratching a scab what happens? It turns into a scar.I have a feeling none of these families want to keep these horrible memories in their head. If we want to remember something it should be the good things the people who died did.i dont think seeing the horrible vidoes posted all over the news is going to do anything but harm on the families.It should just be something that should be in our mind for the family but not brought up all the time.The family should be the first thing the media thinks about not how the ratings will be.It comes down to morals and just how far some people will push just to make a quick dollar.The emotions of other people is a be price to pay,if i might say it surely is selfish.When are these people going to start thinking about another way to remember these people.? A horrible thing happened but when will it be the right time to forgive and also move on from what happened.let the past be the past.Look at the world with wider eyes.lets accept what happened and remember better things.
I completely agree with what Ryan posted, it is the medias job to capitalize on such big occurrences or happenings in American history. However, do I find it necessary? No, I'm willing to bet most Americans still remember that dreaded September day without the media reminding us. I do completely agree with you in the way that I too sympathize for the victims and their families, but think that they should honor their loved ones on their own time, in their own way.
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