Okay, folks, let's talk about something a little…unpopular. I'm talking about 9/11. And watching it. Online.
Before you grab your pitchforks, hear me out! It's not like I'm spending every September 11th with popcorn, gleefully reliving the tragedy. Relax!
But let's be honest, who hasn’t stumbled across a 9/11 documentary online? Or a news clip? It's everywhere.
The Elephant in the Room (aka YouTube's Algorithm)
Come on, admit it. You're browsing YouTube for cute cat videos. BAM! There it is. A suggested video: "Never Forget: The Day The World Changed."
It's like YouTube knows. Knows we have this morbid curiosity. Knows we want to understand, to witness, to…I don’t know…feel something?
And honestly, sometimes I click. Don't judge me! It’s human nature, right?
Is it Wrong to Watch? (My Bold Take)
Here's my spicy, maybe-slightly-offensive take: it's not inherently wrong. Gasp! I said it!
As long as you're approaching it with respect and a genuine desire to learn and remember, I don't see the harm. We shouldn’t pretend it didn't happen.
Deleting every video and banning every discussion won't make the pain go away. It will just bury it.
The Importance of Remembering (But Like, Chill, Okay?)
Look, 9/11 was awful. Horrific. A day that scarred the soul of America. We should absolutely remember the victims and honor their memory.
But there's a difference between remembering with respect and becoming paralyzed by fear and grief every single year. We need to also remember all the brave people who helped.
I mean, can we also acknowledge the advancements in airport security? I know, I know, long lines are annoying but...
The Uncomfortable Truth About Rubbernecking
Let’s face it: there's a part of us that's drawn to disaster. It’s called rubbernecking.
That's why car accidents cause traffic jams. That's why we can't look away from train wrecks (metaphorical or otherwise). And that's why we sometimes watch 9/11 footage.
It's not pretty, but it's human. We are drawn to see 9/11 and the victims.
Finding the Balance (Between Respect and Reality TV)
So, where's the line? How do we watch 9/11 documentaries without turning it into some twisted form of entertainment?
Maybe it's about intention. Are you watching to learn? To understand? Or are you just looking for cheap thrills? Be honest with yourself. Really honest.
Maybe skip the dramatic music and overly sensationalized commentary. Find documentaries that focus on facts, stories, and remembrance. Focus on the people, like Rudy Giuliani.
And for goodness sake, don't watch it while eating a giant bucket of popcorn. Show some respect.
Ultimately, it's a personal decision. But let's stop pretending we haven't all, at some point, found ourselves watching those videos online. Acknowledge it. Process it. And then, maybe, watch a cute cat video. You deserve it.
