Potential Energy

	A photo by the name of “Falling Man” by Richard Drew and the controversy that lay in its wake became salient almost immediately after it was publish on September 12, 2001. The publishing of “falling man” was without a doubt necessary. Without, we could have a whole new chain of conspiracy videos, the story of the photograph is snuffed out, and the freedom of the press loses value and authority. The backbone of history is dependent on markers in history such as these. Without, the story of the picture would evaporate and conjecture could fill its void.
	In todays age where flat Earth Youtube video’s get millions of views, it is not farfetched to infer (possible change) that if further suppression had taken place on the subject of the jumpers, evidence of such acts happening could (have) come into question. On the day of September 11, 2001 video footage of jumpers was being suppressed and photos meticulously edited to conceal the un-biased truth behind the photos they would print the following morning. A call to the coroner’s office reveals a startling fact when the reply to the question of how many jumpers there had been was “Nobody jumped that day.” Knowing these truths, Concealing the truth until necessary to be revealed could stoke further conspiracy as to whether the real photographs are doctored. It is plausible under certain conditions that not publishing this photograph could spark a chain reaction of suppression, possibly interweaved to one of he many conspiracies already forming about the events of that day. It its plausible that the publishing of this photo denied a conspiracy on this subject directly from manifesting. Maybe one of the worst implications of not publishing the photograph and a conspiracy developing is that it removes the story of the man who made a choice to take life in his own hands during one eternally visceral moment.

History should not be a variable. The photograph taken by Richard Drew on the early morning of September 11th. 2001 was allegedly of Johnathan Eric Briley. An employee of the Windows of the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the (north/south) Tower. In my opinion the identity of the man needs not be static, however fluid. In this split second of time frozen in frame, we contemplate “Why?”. The story here is not about Johnathan but about every poor terrified and confused soul that jumped that day, and that story matters. The suffering of every single one of them needs to be recognized, reflected back upon ourselves, demanding a fearless moral inventory of one’s self. "I hope we're not to trying figure out who he is, and more figure out who we are" –(alleged guys mom). What guarantee do we have that a story like this can make it past an opposing agenda? That is why we have freedom of the press. (why does it need to be told, and why in this way).
Photographs taken like this are anchors in time that testify to an event. History written by photographs is history written by truths brought forth by markers in time that solidify an event to a degree of context. By not allowing these photographs, is to allow someone’s else’s more subjective truths to take greater root in society and those markers of history. The picture is terrifying no doubt. Some children or adults were not ready to face the reality of the truth’s of the photograph and were upset with the decision to print. This can be dangerous to journalism. Airbrushed or redacted images along with suppression of video of the jumpers makes us a less aware society. By not publishing we are honoring the first amendment and the jumpers themselves, solidifying their suffering and pain in history in an objective manner. A more absolute frame of reference is created when the photograph is accepted.

Lies told even with the purest intent lead to devastating consequences. The lie by omission of this photograph and suppression of the media on the jumpers could very well precipitate a conspiracy, erase the story of the photograph itself, and disgrace our freedom of the press. The publishing of “Falling Man” was without a doubt necessary. We as a country do not need more disinformation, but more stories that can be resolved from any citizens frame of reference. We need to stay vigilante to protect our first amendment because photos like these help achieve a more objective history in a world where a subjective view is admitted as history all too often. “The media are not the arbiters of what we can and cannot handle.” -William Rhodes










Works Cited
-Falling Man Documentary
-Esquire Article
-Last man out of tower – believes conspiracy
https://coto2.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/last-man-out-on-911-makes-shocking-disclosures/
-National Institute of Standards and Technology Disaster Study
-Bill of Rights
-Vice Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ylYvNnP1rg
Dr Charles S Hirsch medical examiner at 9/11