I choose the fall of the World Trade Center as an image that has changed western culture. The image was taken September 11, 2001 in New York City. Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center. With fire spreading on the top levels of the towers, weakening the supports, the image of the explosion of the second plane was taken, and is perhaps the most widely known image today. At the same time just because a large number of people know and understand what the image is, it still doesn’t explain how the image could possibly have influenced at entire culture. The attack shocked not only America but many of her western allies as well. They saw first hand what Al-Qaeda was capable of. The image of the burning towers became a relying cry of outrage of thousands of Americans. The destruction of the World Trade Center roused feeling of revenge and retribution. The image also presented us with a feeling of fear and insecurity. The giant explosion and the knowledge that this is the original image and there is no special effects, makes the image truly terrifying. After the 9/11 bombing, Congress was able to pass bills that would have previously been seen as “violation” of American constitutional rights. But thanks to the hunting image of the explosion of the World Trade Center there was little to no objection in giving up some of our privileges just to bring back some of the feeling of security. The American culture, before 9/11, changed almost overnight to paranoia and perceiving constant dangers in every corner, all thanks to one simple image.
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