Feb 6th 2011, 17:40:51
The basic reason for this is simple. I've become annoyed with the US media's obsession with 9/11.
Truthfully, I recognize it as a day of great significance. I don't mean to belittle its importance -- but it is not unique in its place as a major turning point in history or national identity.
This year will mark the 10th anniversary since the 9/11 attacks. In that time, I do not believe there has been a single 24 hour period in which any 24/7 news network has not mentioned 9/11 at least once. I haven't done a study, but this strikes me as a very safe bet.
To me, this seems ludicrous -- that it hasn't been allowed to fade from the public consciousness at all.
To provide some historical perspective:
Were they still talking about Pearl Harbour every day in 1951?
Were they still talking about the fall of the Berlin wall every day in 1999?
How about the moon landings every day in 1979?
I know the way the media operates has changed... but those are events of similar or (perhaps) greater historical importance than 9/11. It's hard to quantify, but it's also hard to see what makes 9/11 so singularly deserving of this obsession.
Other major events in the same media age certainly haven't got the same treatment. Katrina and the South East Asian Tsunami faded from public dialogue quickly enough. North East Africa has been completely redefined in the last month (and I don't mean Egypt) but the media barely covered that even as it was taking place.
I really don't understand the obsession. But, really, here's my question to you:
How long after the attacks of 9/11 do you expect to have the first 24 hour period in which not one of the 24/7 news networks in the United States mentions that day? Our first 9/11 free day, as it were.
If you'd told me on that day that it would take 10 years, I'd have laughed at you. But, at present, it seems impossible to me that such a day will come before the 10th anniversary.
So, anyone care to place a wager? Will it come before the 15 year anniversary?
And does anyone else find this time-line fluffing insane?
-Fooglmog
Guy with no clue.