(image from the cover of The Economist magazine)
Like most Americans, I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing and the rest of the day on 9-11-01. This year we observe the 10th anniversary of that tragic day when thousands of Americans lost their lives. I first wanted to recognize those who lost their lives that day and those since figting in Afghanistan and in Iraq.
Now, this is a communication blog, so what does this have to do with communication?
I was going to talk about how the conversations changed regarding terrorism, wars and United States intervening.
However, after reading this post by Brett Duncan at Marketing in Progress it really changed my thoughts.
Brett brings up the question of what would happen if the 9/11 attacks were attempted today. I think its an amazing question when you consider how much technology has changed. Cell phones, videos, texting and twitter are instantly posted on-line in live time.
Would it have helpd alert people? Would it have done anything?
I'm not sure. I just think it is an amazing question to ask. Brett agrees with me, stating:
I marvel at just how much more we would know because of these commonplace technologies that weren’t even available 10 years ago. I wonder how that day would have changed had they been available. I dare even wonder if that day would have even happened the way that it did.
Technology has changed so much in the way we communicate over the past ten years. While I've talked about the good and the bad that comes with it, I think most of us don't sit back and reflect on those changes and what it means for us as a species, as a nation and as invidivuals.
Its got me thinking about history and technology and how it has affected us, how it will in the future and the what ifs of the past. It's something that I probably will continue to look at because I think it is an excellent topic of discussion.
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