Where were you when 9/11 happened?

Iang87 · 08-09-2009 01:42AM

i was at school, then home watching it that evening doing my maths homework cos jesus if Ireland exploded you'd find a way to do your maths homework for this one cos she'd find you

metaoblivia · 08-09-2009 01:42AM

Bridger Juicy Oceanography wrote: »

I was in school. When my Dad picked me up, he told me what had happened but I had thought it was a mere accident. Then I arrived home and turned on the TV.

That's what I thought too! One of my most vivid memories was when that guy coming down the stairs first told us, I imagined this little two person plane flying into the WTC.
That image was quickly shattered a few minutes later.

The_Kew_Tour · 08-09-2009 01:43AM

Was away in middle east at time.

My aunt was close by to the Pentagon when it happened. She has her theory on what she saw but thats another topic.

I know one my best mates worked on floor 10 or somwwhere like that on south tower. It was his second last day and he was out the night before was meant be in work for 9.am but had hangover and by time he got in the second plane had hit. He told me the worst he saw was people jump not pretty site im sure you can imagine. Was a day when the western world woke up thats for sure.

liah · 08-09-2009 01:45AM

Abigayle wrote: »

I was at work, and heard by word of mouth. The magnitude of the horror that was 9/11 didn't register with me until I got home, because I wasn't near a TV or radio throughout the day.

I'm obsessed with watching the 9/11 footage, but it doesn't get any less horrifying.

I always find that point of view interesting.

Did you feel the same way about the London Bombings? Or the Tootsie and Hutu (forgive my spelling on this one) genocide? Or a million other awful happenings? What about natural disasters like Katrina or the tsunami?

Why on earth does 9/11 resonate with so many people? I may have looked at it with some level of indifference-- "well, that sucks"-- but it's the same indifference I would give to any other disaster of the kind. I mean, that isn't to say I don't care, but it's not something that's going to kind of.. "brand" my memory. I know it happened, I recognized it as unfortunate and a tragedy, but I don't dwell on it. Same way I feel bad for the kids starving in Africa but it's not like I'm doing anything about it. Cold? Yeah. But at least I'm honest.

Sometimes it seems people just use it as an excuse to look compassionate, or that they feel they'll be ostracized for not getting all hyperemotional about it. Keeping up appearances, so to say. Not that I'm saying you are, Abi, or anyone here, really.. just an observation in general.

Still, back to my question: why does 9/11's tragedy get priority over equal and sometimes worse disasters? Is it just because it happened to be caught on film and basically immediately aired? Or because American media dictates what we find upsetting and what we don't? Or what?

It's so strange to me. Fair-weather compassion.

("disclaimer: this obviously isn't meant for those who know people who died in the event. Just those who mourn 9/11 while completely ignoring the millions of other tragedies going on even right now.)

brummytom · 08-09-2009 01:46AM

Peppapig wrote: »

Yeah Thats what I was watching and made me start this thread. It's just surreal how it happened. The whole city brought to a standstill! 1,000's of civilians killed

Yep, I find it fascinating tbh.

The scene of those thousands of people running when they fall, disappearing into the cloud of ash/debris is horrible. It just looks like a war zone

Professey Chin · 08-09-2009 01:46AM

In school more concerned with my JC results the next day then anything

TheCardHolder · 08-09-2009 01:47AM

I was in like 4th class.

Iang87 · 08-09-2009 01:48AM

in my opinion 9/11 is so shocking to people because it was bigger than the london bombings for one.

also it was america the example of freedom to a lot of the western world, America was supposed to be untouchable and then this.

brummytom · 08-09-2009 01:48AM

liah wrote: »

I always find that point of view interesting.

Did you feel the same way about the London Bombings? Or the Tootsie and Hutu (forgive my spelling on this one) genocide? Or a million other awful happenings? What about natural disasters like Katrina or the tsunami?

Why on earth does 9/11 resonate with so many people? I may have looked at it with some level of indifference-- "well, that sucks"-- but it's the same indifference I would give to any other disaster of the kind. I mean, that isn't to say I care, but it's not something that's going to kind of.. "brand" my memory. I know it happened, I recognized it as unfortunate and a tragedy, but I don't dwell on it. Same way I feel bad for the kids starving in Africa but it's not like I'm doing anything about it. Cold? Yeah. But at least I'm honest.

Sometimes it seems people just use it as an excuse to look compassionate, or that they feel they'll be ostracized for not getting all hyperemotional about it. Keeping up appearances, so to say. Not that I'm saying you are, Abi, or anyone here, really.. just an observation in general.

Still, back to my question: why does 9/11's tragedy get priority over equal and sometimes worse disasters? Is it just because it happened to be caught on film and basically immediately aired? Or because American media dictates what we find upsetting and what we don't? Or what?

It's so strange to me. Fair-weather compassion.

("disclaimer: this obviously isn't meant for those who know people who died in the event. Just those who mourn 9/11 while completely ignoring the millions of other tragedies going on even right now.)

I think, more than anything, it's the realism of it.
Millions of people around the world saw the second plane hit and both the towers collapse. People actually watched 3,000 people die in front of them.

It was incomprehensible at the time, it happened so fast and out of nowhere. Natural disasters are devastating, but unfortunately quite common. 42 people were killed in the london bombings. The sheer scale of the 9/11 attacks is also, I think, what shocks most people.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 08-09-2009 01:50AM

metaoblivia wrote: »

I imagined this little two person plane flying into the WTC.

He told me (in Irish) that "a plane flew into a building in America." This is pretty much what I had imagined happened. Hearing about the Pentagon and all of the speculation that happened afterwards was really terrifying.

Peppapig · 08-09-2009 01:53AM

liah wrote: »

I always find that point of view interesting.

Did you feel the same way about the London Bombings? Or the Tootsie and Hutu (forgive my spelling on this one) genocide? Or a million other awful happenings? What about natural disasters like Katrina or the tsunami?

Why on earth does 9/11 resonate with so many people? I may have looked at it with some level of indifference-- "well, that sucks"-- but it's the same indifference I would give to any other disaster of the kind. I mean, that isn't to say I don't care, but it's not something that's going to kind of.. "brand" my memory. I know it happened, I recognized it as unfortunate and a tragedy, but I don't dwell on it. Same way I feel bad for the kids starving in Africa but it's not like I'm doing anything about it. Cold? Yeah. But at least I'm honest.

Sometimes it seems people just use it as an excuse to look compassionate, or that they feel they'll be ostracized for not getting all hyperemotional about it. Keeping up appearances, so to say. Not that I'm saying you are, Abi, or anyone here, really.. just an observation in general.

Still, back to my question: why does 9/11's tragedy get priority over equal and sometimes worse disasters? Is it just because it happened to be caught on film and basically immediately aired? Or because American media dictates what we find upsetting and what we don't? Or what?

It's so strange to me. Fair-weather compassion.

("disclaimer: this obviously isn't meant for those who know people who died in the event. Just those who mourn 9/11 while completely ignoring the millions of other tragedies going on even right now.)

That's really interesting. I understand where your coming from, I'm not sure why it gets priority though. Maybe it was the fact that New York was never going to be victim of such a terrorist attack, but it was. The apocalyptic scenes will stay with me forever though!

Abi · 08-09-2009 01:53AM

brummytom wrote: »

Snap.. It feels wrong to be watching it in a way. I've watched all the programmes Channel/More4 are running this week as part of their series.

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with watching it though. Theres a mixture of things that makes us want to see it, even if it isn't pleasant. It's a combination of horror, curiosity, sympathy etc. I've quite a collection of documentaries and books that would be considered morbid or unpleasant by most. But it is curiosity and the desire to understand what happened, be it 9/11, an F5 hurricane tearing the fcuk out of somewhere, or a documentary about a serial killer. Theres nothing abnormal about wanting to know.

metaoblivia · 08-09-2009 01:59AM

liah wrote: »

I always find that point of view interesting.

Did you feel the same way about the London Bombings? Or the Tootsie and Hutu (forgive my spelling on this one) genocide? Or a million other awful happenings? What about natural disasters like Katrina or the tsunami?

Why on earth does 9/11 resonate with so many people? I may have looked at it with some level of indifference-- "well, that sucks"-- but it's the same indifference I would give to any other disaster of the kind. I mean, that isn't to say I don't care, but it's not something that's going to kind of.. "brand" my memory. I know it happened, I recognized it as unfortunate and a tragedy, but I don't dwell on it. Same way I feel bad for the kids starving in Africa but it's not like I'm doing anything about it. Cold? Yeah. But at least I'm honest.

Sometimes it seems people just use it as an excuse to look compassionate, or that they feel they'll be ostracized for not getting all hyperemotional about it. Keeping up appearances, so to say. Not that I'm saying you are, Abi, or anyone here, really.. just an observation in general.

Still, back to my question: why does 9/11's tragedy get priority over equal and sometimes worse disasters? Is it just because it happened to be caught on film and basically immediately aired? Or because American media dictates what we find upsetting and what we don't? Or what?

It's so strange to me. Fair-weather compassion.

("disclaimer: this obviously isn't meant for those who know people who died in the event. Just those who mourn 9/11 while completely ignoring the millions of other tragedies going on even right now.)

Honestly, I'm not sure it's as much about compassion, as it is about it was hugely dramatic with a high death toll and we (the television viewers) had an excellent view of most of it. The fire, people jumping from windows, the buildings crashing down, the billowing smoke, the crowds of people running - it was like an unscripted disaster movie on a grand scale.

I don't feel any extra compassion for the people who died in 9/11, but I always look forward to this time of the year when they re-play the footage. It's just really interesting.

DigiGal · 08-09-2009 02:01AM

I was in Primary school, 4th or 5th class and I saw it on the ESB tellies outside Crumlin Shopping Center while my mam was paying the gas bill.....
Don't think I fully understood what was happening

starbelgrade · 08-09-2009 02:04AM

Peppapig wrote: »

Jaysus we were all coming home from lunch!

Funny that, seeing as it happened around lunchtime (Irish time).. is it just a coincidence or just another mad-cap conspiracy theory?

starbelgrade · 08-09-2009 02:09AM

Iang87 wrote: »

also it was america the example of freedom to a lot of the western world, America was supposed to be untouchable and then this.

I'd hardly call America a "free" country. For all the sh*t they've got up to, if it wasn't a set-up - and it's highly likely that it was, considering what followed & taking into account their history of doing other dodgy acts, then they were asking for it, as a country (not the individuals directly affected).

truecrippler · 08-09-2009 02:10AM

Was fapping to some Internet Mile High porno. I think I fapped too much.

monkeyfudge · 08-09-2009 02:15AM

liah wrote: »

In my room listening to the radio while reading a book.

It was sunny.

First thought was "well, that sucks." Then I just continued reading.

/shrug.

George W Bush has a very similar story.

Brien · 08-09-2009 02:15AM

I was in the pub, just after having collected a tux for my debs, sitting around with a group of friends. the women straight away called it; saying america would wage war on someone for it. many pronounced world war three(!)

the day of rememberance (all businesses closed) was on the day of our debs

The Iron Giant · 08-09-2009 02:17AM

I was in school, in 5th year. My mum brought down some shorts as I forgot them and told me about it and how horrific it was. Don't think I took her seriously until I got home.

Was in town on the day of remembrance when all was closed, and it was easily the eeriest day of my life.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 08-09-2009 02:18AM

monkeyfudge wrote: »

George W Bush has a very similar story.

Liah's probably had more words in it though.

And less pictures...

ashyle · 08-09-2009 02:23AM

I had just started first year. Didn't hear til after school when my mam picked me up. My little sister goes George Bush is in a war! all excited. She was only 8 in fairness.

ashyle · 08-09-2009 02:27AM

rainbow kirby wrote: »

At a memorial service my school was having for a student who had been killed in a car crash during the summer of 2001. I was 17 and in 6th year at the time. I was getting a lift home with friends that day, and the first thing I remember is the absolute stunned silence of everyone in the car while listening to the news on the radio.

where you in sancta maria...? i was at a memorial for a girl killed in a car accident too, if memory serves me right..

Senna · 08-09-2009 02:28AM

I was up in belfast for the day, heard it first from a radio playing in some shop. It was a local station and at the end of the 1pm news they said "news just in, a light aircraft has crashed into the Empire State building

", My first though was, how the hell could any pilot be stupid enough to hit something that big.
About an hour later we went into a large shop, with large projector screens all showing sky news. The screen just showed the smoke and huge hole were the towers were, have to say it was a bit frightening hearing the details from somebody standing watching it.
For some reason, i just though, "feck this" better head home fast.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 08-09-2009 02:29AM

Does anyone remember the rumours that were circulating when the news first broke? I can remember three:

Another plane is still missing and flying around, ready to strike at it's target like a Roll-Royce powered lightning bolt.
There are many abandoned strips all over the US in which the hijackers could stash their stolen and fucking massive Boeings for terrorising at a later date.
WORLD WAR III HAS JUST STARTED OMG!!!!!1!!!

Ah, to have a transcript of my 13 year-old self discussing international politics with my classmates.

Sea Sharp · 08-09-2009 02:34AM

I was on my way home from school and my mam told me in the car. I was just after starting 3rd year in secondary school.

08-09-2009 02:39AM

I had booked the day off work, I was at home on the net and watching Fox News at the time.

bernardo mac · 08-09-2009 02:44AM

In car outside work about 2pm listening to Liveline when news broke.Quite worrying for a friend in work who had two nieces working in one of the towers.I had a nephew with Morgan Stanley.It took some time to learn our relatives were safe.My nephew,had,actually, left the company 4 weeks before the attack but his former workmates were ringing him from the sth tower.

ashyle · 08-09-2009 02:57AM

liah wrote: »

I always find that point of view interesting.

Did you feel the same way about the London Bombings? Or the Tootsie and Hutu (forgive my spelling on this one) genocide? Or a million other awful happenings? What about natural disasters like Katrina or the tsunami?

I get what you mean...but.. Most of us have no connections (luckily) to these disasters, natural or manmade, so why do a lot of us feel sadness about it? Basic human compassion I'd hazard is the reason for it.
London, one of my best friends is living in London and used the tube to get to college everyday, so I was deeply concerned for her and her family that whole day. To attack civilians just on their ways to work and school, that's disgusting.
The Rwandan genocide, well I was 6 when that happened and only really heard about it when the film Hotel Rwanda came out. Needless to say that is one of the most disturbing things I've ever watched. I have learnt more about it & I am reading a book called Shake hands with the Devil by Srgt Romeo Dallaire (recommend it by the way, seeing as you're so into your books)

Kold · 08-09-2009 03:00AM

The real tragedy of 9/11 was the backlash it unleashed.

Where were you when 9/11 happened?

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