While I’m writing this on 9/11/11, I’m not publishing this on 9/11. Not because I think anyone will read it, but because I don’t want to contribute to the massive flood of 9/11 stuff that has been the beginning of September, 2011.
A decade is a novel concept. It was this massive amount of time that I remember being sort of enamored by the notion of turning ten and being a decade old. As I’m approaching what I’m told is middle age, a decade isn’t such a big deal. Sure, I’m only 3 and a half decades old, but now the notion of another decade is like the notion of christmas – it’s just around the corner, and it’ll be here before you know it.
Looking back at the last decade can be hard or joyous depending on the filter one uses. The best times of my life happened in the past ten years. I targeted a career and have landed at a place that I’m looking forward to working towards in the long-term. Change the filter when looking back, and things turn into something completely different.
Do I remember where I was on 9/11? Yes. Do I care, or should anyone else? No.
There’s no debate that 9/11 was a complete tragedy, or that it changed the world.
I’m a proponent of remembering history more than most, but this has been taken to a whole new level. This is bordering on cultural obsession by an entire society.
Cultural obsession isn’t always a bad thing, but it’s different in this context. This feels like an unhealthy obsession because of the reactions in the past ten years as opposed to the event itself.
9/11 did change things a lot. But all those changes are justified only at the constant reminder of the events of 9/11.
We have to take our shoes off before getting on a plane? Damn right we do. If we don’t, look what could… er, will happen. [cue mental images of WTC]
We all know of the loss of life here at the WTC, Pentagon, and United Flight 93. I’m hearing some, but now much about the rest of the lives lost. The lives lost in the service of our country in the name of revenge are known. I have a healthy respect for those that serve in the military.
But what about the lives lost by the people in Middle Eastern countries because of our retaliation(s)?
The rest of my thoughts turn to the costs and perception.
Perception in that I remember how it seemed the whole world seemed to come together with us. Mostly as a result of our response, America is now so much of a bully to countries in all ranges of development.
Cost is rather self-evident up front, but it takes such different meanings over time. How much have our retaliations cost per the benefits of the results? What the social and cultural costs of the fear and lost liberties? Then combine that with the cost that comes from the change in perception. How much will it cost America as a result in taking such a hit in perception by retaliating in at least two wars in two countries over at least a decade?
I love thinking about such things and debating them in person, but going into them here is a one sided exercise in subjectivity.
I guess in my middle-agedom I’ve become more concerned about long-term consequences. I want things fixed to improve the chances for those that come after me. I’m not sure how realistic that is.
Who knows. That’s just where my mind went on this whole time of remembrance of 9/11.