the september project in the news
Hi - check out this URL to the Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001977381_septproject12 e.html It's an article that discusses (very favorably) The September Project, which was conceived and is headed by one of our own, David Silver, and which by now has reached international dimensions, not to forget the 110 libraries in 24 US states that are participating. The September Project's goal is to start "conversation about democracy, citizenship and patriotism" and it certainly has got the news talking. Are there any opinions here on the list? I think this is a wonderful example of cyberactivism that reaches non-cyber worlds. It's not about an American thing. It's about issues that concern all of us, no matter what country we live in. Ulla ---------------------------------------------------- Ulla Bunz Assistant Professor Department of Communication Rutgers University 4 Huntington Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Email: bunz@scils.rutgers.edu ----------------------------------------------------
Thanks Ulla, I am happy to share my opinion (that's all it is), especially if it can be used to correct false or imposed universalisms as present in the statement: "It's not about an American thing. It's about issues that concern all of us, no matter what country we live in." Americans have been setting the agendas for many peoples in many places for many decades...that is an American thing. The article itself also reinforced my perception that this was an "American thing" (I love this expression, and I will now make it my own). How? It's an American thing to think that you can divorce politics from discussions of political issues such as democracy, citizenship, and good lord, patriotism--from the article: "The directors of The September Project are determined to keep politics out of the day's events." It's an American thing if one of the dominant questions mentioned is: "What do you like about America?" It's an American thing in the minds of some of the participants that were quoted: "Nationally, I think we're just coming out of a period of mourning," said Zavorska. "We're beyond the shock and grief, and now we need to start talking about what it meant to us." Leaving aside the ubiquitous "terrorist sympathizers"...I think there are many lucid, otherwise decent individuals for whom 9-11 was also not a "tragedy", not that they glowed with joy either. In comparison to the massive tragedies that many have suffered, and continue to suffer worldwide, 9-11 is minor, VERY minor. But, thankfully, the Internet can be added to the mass media in over-amplifying American concerns and making the whole world own those concerns, like it or not. I am not actually criticizing the project here--it's the way the "thing" gets framed that really bothers me. If there were one source of relief about not being an American citizen, it would be not having one's social agenda dictated to by American fears, American concerns, and American hysterias. Wanting to be "independent" of the dictates of others is also...here we go...an "American thing", so I am sure you understand the sentiments well. All the best, Maximilian C. Forte
Maximilian - thanks for your opinion. Of course, I myself am not American so I agree fully that "Americans have been setting the agendas for many peoples in many places for many decades...that is an American thing." And I actually have a problem with this agenda setting. My interpretation of your message is that you do too. In my understanding the project's main aim is not to recognize 9/11 as an international day of mourning, or anything close to it. 9/11 may (or may not, I suppose that depends on each individual library involved) be used as an example in light of which democracy, citizenship, and patriotism can be discussed. But other participating countries appropriate the project each in their own way. Spain, being one of the countries that have adapted The September Project, may choose the terrorist attacks on their trains. Democracy, citizenship, and patriotism *are* issues that concern people in many if not all countries. Not necessarily American democracy, or American patriotism, agreed. But wouldn't you agree that the idea to get together people and allow them to engage in open information exchange, discussion and debate actively is valuable? Isn't that what we are doing right here, right now, but on a much smaller scale? Oh, and by the way, in my opinion media tend to put a spin on news in a way that they believe will sell the information best. For every quote quoted there's probably one that was omitted. And the US media are particularly good at spinning. Ulla ---------------------------------------------------- Ulla Bunz Assistant Professor Department of Communication Rutgers University 4 Huntington Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Email: bunz@scils.rutgers.edu ----------------------------------------------------
But wouldn't you agree that the idea to get together people and allow them to engage in open information exchange, discussion and debate actively is valuable?
Yes, I do agree. I also think the project has been well executed, no doubt about it, and all praises are due. What I am unfortunately stuck on is the 9-11 angle itself. There are many possible angles, but not all would have "sold" as well for a U.S. audience.
Oh, and by the way, in my opinion media tend to put a spin on news in a way that they believe will sell the information best. For every quote quoted there's probably one that was omitted. And the US media are particularly good at spinning.
I am sure that you are right on this. Thanks for your replies. All the best, Maximilian C. Forte
thank you Ulla for posting news about the september project to the list. and thank you Maximilian for your well thought out comments about the project. i don't have the time i wish i had to respond in full, and i hope that others will chime in too. but before i begin, let me say this: the september project is not *about* 9-11. rather, it is about public and collective engagement that takes place *on* 9-11. the only thing we have asked is this: that all events be FREE and PUBLIC. besides that, and this is a key point Maximilian, we encourage all organizers to plan events that relate to their communities, their cities and towns, their countries. has that happened? yes. please visit: O Projecto Setembro PORTUGAL http://setembro.ciberpunk.org El Proyecto Septiembre SPAIN http://septiembre.ciberpunk.org The September Project US http://www.theseptemberproject.org if you translate the sites (http://babelfish.altavista.com isn't perfect but it seems to help out), you will notice that our friends and colleagues in Spain and Portugal have altered their events and topics to fit their own concerns, communities, etc. we think that's pretty cool. david silver www.theseptemberproject.org
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participants (4)
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david silver -
K.S.O-Riordan＠sussex.ac.uk -
Maximilian Forte -
Ulla Bunz