I was about to sign out of my email account, when there appeared a new email in my inbox. I immediately opened it to check it out. It was from one of the citizen journalism social networking sites I am a member of. All it said without any details to the information was that Bin Laden died. He was killed finally. How was it all done, the email did not elaborate. Just as this email came to my inbox due to subscription to its newsletters, it went to many others too for revealing one the biggest headlines of the year.
I was intending to shut down my computer to carry on with the day’s routine. But when I received the email, I changed my whole plan of following on my usual routine, at least for the next forty minutes or so. All I was curious to know was how did Bin Laden meet his death. Indeed, it was good news, but not a relieving one. Since killing the name behind the terrorist attacks on 9/11 doesn’t finish off the evil intent his other co-networkers still hold.
I went to Google further about Bin Laden’s death to get the details. There was a whole stream of updates scrolling from the micro-blogging website, Twitter. Almost each second, people from all around the world, were tweeting their reactions about the news and their feelings on the matter. Everyone from journalists to news readers, all were there streaming their immediate thoughts. It is amazing how the breaking news of Bin Laden’s death was actually broken by Twitter. The world came to know of one of the greatest headlines in recent history, but not through mainstream news media, but through the social networking website, Twitter.
Although it does show the status Twitter has achieved and the importance of connectivity through social networking in this advanced era of fast communication, it also tells us how any news can be spread instantly without any detailed analysis. The first impact is obtained and a perspective fixed at the outset. This is the power of social media and it is growing ever more.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the dreadful events in the New York City in 2001. Let us hope that just as the evolution of social media has given us such communicative power, different nations from around the world also evolve in their understanding of each other and learn to respect their differences in cultures and traditions. Though there are many different languages, but keeping in mind the essential purpose of a language, which is communication, let us negotiate and build bridges. Living peacefully together and co-existing in harmony is what I hope can attain such power of connectivity as social media has today.
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4 comments
Saeed says:
September 11, 2011 at 11:32 am (UTC 5)
I very vividly remember my feelings 10 years ago, watching footage of the planes ramming into the twin towers, yet hardly could I have every imagined what an impact it was going to have mainly on us in Pakistan, but all around the world as well. Truly said…today’s most harmful weapon is not an atom or hydrogen bomb…it’s the media along with it’s ubiquitous penetration.
Sidrah Zaheer says:
September 11, 2011 at 11:42 am (UTC 5)
I agree that media, in any of its form, whether virtual, electronic or print, is the most harmful weapon. It has been used as a propaganda machine ever since its inception. If only were it to be used in good ways to bring people together, the world would have been a lot better place to live in.
Regarding the events on 9/11/2001, no one in Pakistan, at least the general public, thought that the terrorists for the U.S. this time would be found in our neighbourhood, and then they would seek safe havens in our beloved homeland. May be the people in the back door channels had an idea, since 9/11 was only an excuse for the U.S. to enter our region.
Saeed says:
September 11, 2011 at 11:46 am (UTC 5)
I strongly believe that the same excuse was used for ‘planting’ rather than ‘finding’ these terrorists here in our homeland, as there is hardly any evidence to suggest else wise.
Sidrah Zaheer says:
September 11, 2011 at 11:55 am (UTC 5)
Exactly, they were planted in this region. These terrorists are a kind of escape goats for the U.S. in carrying out terrorist attacks in this region, not just in Pakistan.
The documentary “Loose Change 9/11″ is very revealing. I think everyone interested in the subject must watch it. Here is the official website of the documentary: http://www.loosechange911.com/
There are many movements and groups in the U.S. as well as in other places, which are trying to reveal the truth behind motives of the U.S. in the terrorists attacks on its own land.
Organisations such as, World for 9-11 Truth (http://world911truth.org/) and Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth (http://www.ae911truth.org/) are doing a tremendous job to show the world the real face of Pentagon and the U.S. war mongers.