9/11 The Man Who Fell

RIP to all of them.

I personally found it inspirational that it was Jonathan.

And his family seemed to agree.

He seemed to be someone who lived life to the full...and I respect what he did.

Just hope no-one here has to do what they did.

I think it took an amazing amount of courage to accept that this was your only option other than burning to death...

not sure I could bring myself to leap to my death, my instinct would be to struggle to get out another way.

I certainly couldnt have fallen on my own...

[anna]

Originally Posted by JakeRS

I think it took an amazing amount of courage to accept that this was your only option other than burning to death...

not sure I could bring myself to leap to my death, my instinct would be to struggle to get out another way.

I certainly couldnt have fallen on my own...

I guess everyone rationally feels like this but put in the actual situation who knows what you might do... when people find themselves in horrific situations I guess it calls for horric solutions.

I think it is a human instinct to try to find a way to live and finding yourself in a room knowing that you are going to die if you stay there you may well jump as there may be a small glimmer that you may survive (okay so that was never going to happen but it is amazing what hope you may hold on to in that situation!)

If the picture wasnt so horrific then perhaps it would be easier to forget the incident .. for instance (and I may be going out on a limb on this one) but closer to home how many terrorists attacks have we had here (the London bombings spring to mind) and it is headline news and then forgotten a few months later by people who arent directly involved or effected by the event. By using this picture it summarises the truly horrific event that took place and makes sure that it is remembered for what it was and honours those lives that were needlessly taken.

I agree that it doesn't need to be pushed in front of people's faces everyday but you only need to see that image once for it to stay with you.

I just hope that the families of those taken can find some peace and closure on this devestating event. RIP

[Supervox]

I watched the programme last night & have just finished flicking through parts of it again. I have to say that IMHO the photo when looked at as a single image is one of the most thought provoking & powerful images that I have ever seen.

BUT, & it is a big but . . .

. . . the whole mood of the picture is changed when looked at in the context of the other 11 photos in the sequence. What initially looks like a somewhat graceful (maybe some would even say peaceful) dive into oblivion becomes a chaotic, tumbling mass of limbs struggling to regain some sort of control.

Was the newspaper right to publish the picture ? On balance I would say YES - if they were trying to give a realistic pictorial view of the events of 9/11.

Was the decision to try & establish the identity of the man correct ? I don't think so - I believe that (as is stated by Tom Junod at the end) the strength of the image is in NOT knowing who - but accepting it as one of many 'symbols' of the event.

I thought about leaving the photo. However, for those who would not wish to see, they don't have to. For those that do, they can google it. Simple as that really.

Originally Posted by huge

After watching the program I strongly disagree with Big Ape censoring the photo.

The jumpers made a brave decision to choose the manner of their death to die rather than be killed, so to speak.

I think you do them a disservice by censoring them.

They have a right to honourably be remembered.

I saw the original footage of the jumpers when it happened originally, and found it one of the saddest things I have ever seen. The topic of this thread did not make me think that there was going to be a picture, and I am glad Big Ape deleted it, it has nothing to do with a disservice, I just have a fear of heights and flying and it scares me sick to watch people do that no matter how brave they are. Having said this, I wish I could have seen the program, as I have privately wondered who tehy were, and would like to see it if anyone knows where I can read it or see a rerun?