It’s the eve of an anniversary that forever changed all of our lives. September 11, 2001. It’s been nine years.
I have vivid memories of that day. I was on my way to work in Orlando. As I listened to the breaking news on the radio, the reporter who was describing the first impact of a jet into a World Trade Center tower was drown out by the sound of the second jet hitting the second building.
In the newsroom, the images were powerful. Tears were free-flowing. People shook as they watched the unbelievable sights. There was panic and uncertainty about the safety of family and friends. Those images weren’t those coming from the televisions. The images burned into my mind are that of my co-workers who huddled around the four televisions in the newsroom to watch the tragic events unfold.
Obviously, the constant replays of the jet hitting, the fires, the crashing towers, scared people running, the rubble, the heroes, the tears and the fear are forever engrained.
Now, imagine if that horrible event happened today.
Just nine years later, cell phones are mini-computers, capable of taking pictures, video, and even live streaming. Twitter has become a powerful breaking news resource with the number of tweets upwards of a 65 million per day. Other social networks can pinpoint your location and posting pictures can reach millions instantly.
What power everyone has in the palm of their hand.
If you were moved to tears by the voice mails, left on now ancient answering machines, the morning of September 11, 2001, could you imagine the emotions current technology would invoke today?
I enjoy seeing pictures of family vacations on the social pages of my friends and family. I like the speed of getting news fast on Twitter.
But, think about the images, videos, and messages that would have come out of those buildings and airplanes if then, those victims had the advances of today’s technology. Bone-chilling!
There is territory that we in the media haven’t conquered. Fortunately, we haven’t really been forced to climb that slippery slope just yet. On the eve of this solemn anniversary, what I would do as a news manager with such material is something I’m thinking about.
As a husband, father, and son, I have decided that, if ever faced with recording one last message (God forbid), I’m going to pass. Instead, my messages of love and hope for my family will unfold in my life actions.
