Remembering 9/11 & Reflecting On Human History Through Social Media
One New York City based organization attempts to use social media to spark a mass reflection.
More than 3 million people used the social media site Twitter in the days leading up the 10th anniversary of September 11th. That is according to the social media tracking site Trendrr. This anniversary WFUV’s Claudia Morell looks at an organization that wants to blend tradition with modern communication.
The Interfaith Center of New York will commemorate the tragedy by recounting a three thousand year old history of the Golden Rule on Twitter.
Media Coordinator Kevin Childress says his group found that while most people spend the anniversary in somber reflection, not many look with optimism for the future.
“It’s the anniversary of a tragedy that divided a lot of people, but the Golden Rule is an ideal that’s designed to unify people,” said Childress. “So, it’s just sort of like a remedy to an ill that we’ve suffered.”
Childress said he’s aware Twitter is mainly used for spreading information and not conversing. But, he hopes people will take the time to respond to and reflect on excerpts like this one from Japan.
“One of the most beautiful ones I think is from Shintoism and it’s from 100 B.C.E,” said Childress, “and it’s ‘The heart of the person before you is a mirror, see there your own form.’”
The tweets start at midnight Tuesday and will continue throughout the day. They can be found here: http://twitter.com/ICNY