Remembrances through designed channels
by KateThis morning I took BART the office. It was just like any other day…crowds of folks, some rushing, some not. The guy playing music near the escalator. A buzz of conversation as people chatted to start the day or apologized for bumping and brushing into each other. And then, at 8:46am an announcement came over the intercom: “In remembrance of the events of September 11th and the heroes and victims, we ask that you observe a moment of silence. Thank you.”
Like a whoosh, the silence descended. The saxophone player put his instrument down. People stopped talking. Some paused in reflection, but others kept moving in absolute quiet. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
Not only was the moment observed in the stations: All BART trains stopped for 15 seconds. System-wide.
I arrived at work to AIM status messages such as “i was there. never forget”…and one in memory of a specific name.
Modern tools give us new ways to share remembrance and to honor shared experience. An intercom system is to communicate important information, especially in the case of emergency. Synchronized scheduling and switching systems allow for the stoppage of all trains in the system. Instant Messenger status messages help us know if it’s okay to interrupt a friend or co-worker with a quick question, but they also tell others what and who we’re thinking of in that moment. And all are immediately co-opted in a time when communication and connection brings us together.
I’m really glad to have experienced that moment. Nicely done, BART.
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on Monday, September 11th, 2006 at 1:29 pm and is filed under Idealism, uncensored.
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