ruk.blog

The tragedy of 9/11 and the assassination of JFK on 11/22 happened almost 40 years apart.  Both are unbelievably sad and complex events that share fall anniversaries.  But they are miles apart in how they were documented.
 
A interesting article in the Hartford Courant discusses this.  The reporter notes how long it took the famous Zapruder film to be aired publicly on TV (1975), and how long it took the Warren Commission to publish its report (almost a year).  When 9/11 happened, people had cell phones and camcorders to help tell the story.
 
With today’s internet and camcorders, in contrast to 1963, instantaneous viewing rules the day.  Some people would say it’s a crime to have a tragedy so publicly viewed and accessed.  Maybe so.  But it’s important that as many perspectives on such monumental events be revealed.  And maybe that’s the best way to get at the truth and help preserve the memory for future generations.
 
Regardless of how you feel about the pros or cons of modern technology, this is a somber week…