Is it normal that when 9/11 happened i didn't think it was a big deal?

72% Normal
8 Comments

OK I know how bad this sounds, but when I was in 6th grade 9/11 happened. One kid in my class said, "what's the big deal, it's just a bunch of planes crashing into buildings," and I agreed with him. Now, before you accuse me of being a heartless sociopath, let me make something clear. My heart truly breaks for anyone touched by this tragedy. However, at the time I felt somewhat indifferent to 9/11 because up to that point in my life I had assumed that somewhere in the world a tragedy like this happened every single day...literally. In fact, I thought it was egocentric that people made such a big deal out of 9/11 and not the other tragedies that were happening in other countries. I now realize that I overestimated the amount of violence actually taking place in the world. I also now know how serious and tragic 9/11 truly was. I think I must've developed the assumption that tragedies were common because I was a kid trying to process violence in the news, movies, TV, and school. When you are a kid, your brain takes repetitious information and becomes familiar with it. I was so familiar with seeing bad things and no one caring, that when I saw 9/11 happening my brain just dealt with it like it did other acts of violence. Does this reasoning make any sense?

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72% Normal
Based on 61 votes (44 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • mixwell
    10 years ago

    Damn stating what grade you were in is making me feel old. I was 18 at the time and honestly never heard of the world trade center before that.

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  • AbnormallyAwesome
    10 years ago

    I was in the 4th grade. I didn't think it was a such a big deal either for the same reasons you mentioned. And also because I don't live in the USA. I didn't understand why those Americans were so much more importand to us then all the people starving, getting shot in meaningless wars, getting blown up by old land mines or die from various illnesses. And you were not wrong. Those things do happen literally every day. However the amount of tragedies happening doesen't make any single one less tragic.

    I still find it weird though, how even the european media makes a big event out of every 11th of september, eventhough so many more horrific things have happened since then. For example all the innocent men women and children killed by random American drone strikes.

    Don't get me wrong, I totally understand how as an American 9/11 matters more to you. I think if something similar happened in my own country I could never forget it.

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    • User-name
      6 years ago

      I was 4 when it happened. On behalf of those Americans who understand that people exist elsewhere in the world, I'm just gonna say that 9/11 never directly effected me. I empathized with the lost lives and all, but had someone I'd possibly remembered were to have died then the impact would have been greater. That makes me selfish I know, but it's how I feel.

      Personally I've gone numb to it now and change the channel when news people talk about it because it's been milked to death. You'd be over it too I bet after 16 years of hearing the same thing.

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  • [email protected]
    10 years ago

    I was a homeless motherfucker standing outside the main branch of the public library smoking a cigarette the second it happened.

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  • Thatguy777
    10 years ago

    Eh, don't stress over it. You realize how bad it is now. I was only in 1st grade when it happened so I didn't think much of it, but I knew it was bad.

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  • Holzman_67
    10 years ago

    I was watching a variety show at the time when it suddenly cut to footage of the planes crashing into the buildings. I remember my dad failing to comprehend that it was actually happening. I think with all the violent, action movies out there some of us are somewhat desensitized a little bit. The fact you were so young and probably couldn't grasp the gravity of what was happening probably has something to do with it as well.

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  • Heyjj
    10 years ago

    I live in NYC and I was in the 4th grade when it happened. I remember being in class and all of a sudden us the students being dismissed. It was chaos!!!! I will never forget such a tragic day. I used to look out to the twin towers from the window at my aunts apartment and that day I looked out and all I saw was smokes. Mind you I have a horrible memory and that one day I remember so clear.

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  • PrincessOctavia
    9 years ago

    I honestly hate when people make a big deal out of 9/11. Many (not all) only care about the tragedies in their country yet as we speak, little kids are getting beheaded for following Jesus.
    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/12/islamic-state-terrorists-behead-4-christian-kids/
    This happens all the time to all these countries and many will say "Who cares, it's not my country." But we all live in the same world and when oil and fresh water become a problem, we will need to have good relationships with other countries and ignoring their problems will not help that.

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