The Falling Man. Do you remember this photograph? (The man who jumped from World Trade Towers)

esquire ^ | September 2003, Volume 140, | By Tom Junod

[Lazamataz]

I am a big fan of morbid humor.

But please do NOT do that again.

[MEG33]

I admit..I couldn't read it either..I caught the flavor by the comments. The ulating woman is stuck in my head,too.

[Diogenesis]

[Lazamataz]

This article pisses me off beyond words. They're talking about the artistic value of the photo, the composition, the alignment with the buildings. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, IT'S A PICTURE OF A MANS DEATH!!!!!! NOT AN ART SHOT!!!!!

Yes, but don't you think that this treatment actually increases the horrific realization thereof?

In a backhanded way, haven't they done us a service?

[kdmhcdcfld]

To me, the man in this picture will always be the epitomy of those who died in this manner on that day. For the last two years, I've often wondered...

Who is he?

Did his family see this picture and recognize that this is my son, brother, husband, father?

Were his last thoughts of loved ones being left behind?

Did he accept that this was his fate?

Answers we will never know...

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I was there watching it that day. This article is really, really stupid.

I agree...this guys article borders on gross inappropriateness/morbidity/sensationalism.

[Skooz]

At 8:46 tomorrow, I will be standing under an American Flag, burning a koran.

Darn, that's a good idea. Maybe I better make a trip to Barnes and Nobles after work.

[mr.pink]

Me neither...

But I also can't stop thinking about of the four Isrealis who were arrested on the Jersey shoreline while videotaping and celebrating the mass murder of Americans on that day.

Do you have any photos of them to post?

[MEG33]

NEVER FORGET

[Lazamataz]

Great form 10.1 , repeat performance please.

You've gotta be kidding. Southern cross forever said THIS??? A 10.1 would have been morbid humor, a 'repeat performance please' request is downright cruel. Perhaps s.c.f. needs a rest.

[MEG33]

They were not celebrating..

[Lazamataz]

Did his family see this picture and recognize that this is my son, brother, husband, father?

Probably.

Were his last thoughts of loved ones being left behind?

OF COURSE!

Did he accept that this was his fate.

Probably.

[kjam22]

At 8:46 tomorrow, I will be standing under an American Flag, burning a koran. Darn, that's a good idea. Maybe I better make a trip to Barnes and Nobles after work.

I agree... it is a good idea.

[AppyPappy]

Don't confuse him with facts

[dfwgator]

The kid with the rifle really must be pissed after seeing the Bears play last weekend.

[LizardQueen]

Yes, but don't you think that this treatment actually increases the horrific realization thereof?

Personally, I don't need anything to "increase the horrific realization thereof". One of those people going off the roof may have been one of my high school friends. It's about at "max horribleness", there nowhere for it to increase to.

Discussing the photo in the abstract without regard to the human subject and his fate really rubs me the wrong way (obviously).

LQ

[Skooz]

Exactly. My guess, this silly article aside, is the people who "jumped" actually were overcome by heat and smoke or lost their grip from exhaustion. They probably had burns on their arms and legs. A horrific death. In the photos I've seen, people were hanging way outside the windows trying to escape from the fire and smoke.

In the excellent documentary aired (I think) on CBS a couple of months after 9/11, the firemen were in the first floor of the WTC hearing the bodies thump LOUDLY just outside. They knew what they were, but said nothing about it. One of the firemen said later, "How bad does it have to be up there to make jumping the better alternative?"

[Publius6961]

Saved for later reading.
It does give me comfort that this man still lives; a victim of the worst single mass murder in history, still alive in the minds and memories of millions.
A small measure of immortality.

That reminds me. I still have not finished reading the list of all the victims of that day. I must be done by tomorrow night.

[1rudeboy]

bttt

[Skooz]

In lieu of a koran, is burning magazine and newspaper photos of Beelzebubba and Hitlery an acceptable alternative?

Works for me. Probably cheaper, too.