9/11 Archives - Seth Goldstein

Remembering September 11… 20 Years Ago Today

I was going to write my thoughts down in my private journal, but I realized I wanted to share my thoughts publicly.

I remember 9/11/01 like it was yesterday. I, like many, can photo-realistically replay the day over and over like a movie in my head. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years.

It was my sophomore year at the University of Delaware. I remember it. I don’t want to rehash it here. But I do want to remember all those who we lost that day.

I don’t want to debate whether it was an inside-job or anything. I just want us all to reflect. To take a moment and be real with ourselves. Let us all feel the emotions that come to us.

Some of us were affected more than others, but that doesn’t mean that we all don’t have emotions surrounding this day.

9/11/2021 was a day just like today. Blue skies, almost no cloud in the sky.

What hit me today was reading Jeff Jarvis’ post of his 9/11 experience.

I remember calling my step-mom after getting back to my dorm and watching the coverage. She worked in New York City. I remember the cell towers being inundated with people calling loved ones. I remember calling my grandmom who loved going into NYC to the museums.

I remember the girl in my Psych 101 class running out tears when Professor Giza told us all what we missed while in class that morning. Realizing that she might have just lost a loved one.

I remember after watching the news over and over and the loop of the towers falling, walking across the “beach” (green area between my dorm and the Perkins Student Center) to the Review (the student run, independent, newspaper), where I was a reporter. There was talk about heading up there. I had a chance to go. I’m glad I stayed back.

Just knowing what my journalism career would emotionally cause me later, makes me glad I made that decision.

I have a lot of journalism friends who covered the aftermath. Who went to the rubble. Who documented it and also went abroad to cover the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of my friends would win a Pulitzer Prize for his photos.

Let us never forget those harrowing moments and days. Let us not forget the aftermath, the “never-ending” wars that resulted. Let us remember the fallen and their families. Let us come together.

That’s all I emotional have right now. Hugs to all!

Sony Pictures Was Hacked… North Korea Was Behind It. Now What?

This post was originally posted on Medium.

sony_pictures_logo Sony Pictures was hacked. Terrorist threats were made. Now a dumb comedy about two journalists trying to kill the North Korean leader isn’t being shown because of threats of terrorist attacks.

The group, the Guardians of Peace (ironic name isn’t it?), seems to have gotten their sponsorship from North Korea itself (http://s3th.me/2DT).

First, who’s hair-brained idea was it to make a movie plot about killing a sitting world leader? Especially a world leader known for being a little bit unhinged? That was dumb (which is saying it lightly). Even if it’s a leader who is a tyrant and a maniac, it’s in poor taste.

Does this look like a guy who is playing around? I don’t think so.

Second, what can the US do? North Korea is a rogue, isolated, desperate nation with nuclear weapons. There has to be some kind of recourse, I know that, but what? There are already sanctions against the country. We can invade without starting World War III. Maybe a cyber attack back? But wouldn’t that just fan the flames more?

I don’t think there’s an easy answer.

As far as the choice to pull the movie after the GOP (the hackers), made threats of a new 9/11, I think it was a bad idea. Now hackers and countries have a playbook on how to get their way and effect Americans’ freedoms. They found the weak point in the United State’s armor. This is not a good thing. In my opinion a terrorist attack has already occurred that might have an even more lasting impact on our country than a physical attack. Afterall terrorism doesn’t have to manifest itself in death and carnage. It just needs to instill terror — which is exactly what it did.

I don’t want another 9/11… ever. Especially over the holidays. But now that we have set this dangerous precedent, what’s next?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Post them below or hit me up on Twitter @sethgoldstein.

Seth Goldstein is the founder of PhillyTech.org Netcast Network, a podcast network focusing on the technology and startup scene emerging and growing in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. He is also the creative director of Goldstein Media LLC, interactive agency based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.