The idea that 9/11 was the worst event EVER!

IanExMachina

Whilst it was a tragedy due to the death of so many people, the attitude of some (americans, obviously) that it was the worst thing to ever happen ever irritates me.

Many more people have died in arguably worse events.

On the other hand I can kind of see that if you country is constantly told that it is 'untouchable' the response to any event that causes harm to the country will be met with a bigger uproar than without the 'untouchable' attitude.

However overall it seems a bit like country myopia.

TheConductor

I think it may be because a lot of these people haven't experienced anything worse than that. Like, I bet a Holocaust survivor thinks the Holocaust was waaaay worse than 9/11.

GLORIOUSLeader

Yeah, it's mostly perspective. 

Then again, considering the sheer amount of "Post-9/11" thrown around for the past decade, we can safely say it's changed our vocabulary. And our definition of assault.

/no, sweetie, that TSA officer is inspecting you, he's okay to touch you... 

IanExMachina

^^ I'd half agree but with modern information technology and news the events that occur/have occurred in other countries are easily accessible. Which leads me partly towards the country myopia comment.

Those that have first hand experience of worse afaik aren't the ones I'm complaining about.

TheConductor

Yeah but reading "Jews were horribly treated and gassed" or "A plane flew into a building" is very different from being dragged from your house, treated like dirt, forced into an air tight room, painful gas filling your lungs and choking to death or being at work minding your own business when out of the blue every thing starts shaking and exploding and everyone's screaming.

So yeah, I gotta say I think it's mostly to do with a lack of perspective.

GLORIOUSLeader

Mostly because if you die, they can't pay you for speaking about it. 

IanExMachina

^^

I'd have said most people would be able to empathise, also if going by a numbers or treatment aspect see larger numbers of dead with worse treatment elsewhere.

However yes emotional ties would make a difference, you are right.

I still feel though that there would be more who were rationally able to step back a bit regarding it.

Wicked223

9/11 stands out in our minds because it was a mostly unprovoked attack on a nation in relative prosperity, that had no reason to expect something like that. 

DonZabu

You and Americans, Ian. I don't know what it is...

GLORIOUSLeader

If Americans weren't so fucking stupid, he'd stop talking about them.

As an American, I am ashamed for my country. 

IanExMachina

^^^ Unprovoked from the US view I'm pretty sure for certain groups in the Middle East it wasn't so. No reason might be pushing it a tiny bit, as you'd have to have ignored the entire anti american sentiment that was growing in the middle east.

^^

I don't hate america DZ I just like banter! However this is irritating.

┻━┻ ︵ ヽ(`Д´）╯︵ ┻━┻

I don't necessarily think it's common for Americans to believe it was the worst event ever, it's just that they pretty much ignore most other things since it's not like it's happening to their country.

IanExMachina

^ That isn't much better.

DonZabu

@GL: I for one refuse to feel shameful because other people are being stupid, regardless of whether or not they're the same nationality as me. That's just crazytalk.

But I digress. For the topic: this kind of stuff feels more visceral when it's happening to you/your group of people. Kind of seems like human nature to me.

IanExMachina

I acknowledge the fact about when stuff happens to your 'group'.

However 10yrs on it is still treated with such huge focus that seems ott compared to other events.

DonZabu

I think that's going to start dieing down after the actual tenth anniversary happens.

Stormtroper

The bombing of Pearl Harbor was second worst.