Still waiting

A Chinese proverb mentions: "To those who know how to wait, time opens every door",

Postponing the importance of a virtue, that of patience, now almost forgotten; nowadays we no longer recognize any value to patience, despite the fact that it is essential in interpersonal relationships and highly effective in everyday life.

In the age of speed and "everything and now", waiting is one of the conditions experienced with the greatest discomfort.
It is clear that each situation is unique, that is, there are circumstances in which the discomfort is understandable since the wait is linked to dramatic and painful events, such as illness or the outcome of a diagnostic examination, but often they are also lived with impatience. moments of daily routine (e.g. a prolonged waiting line, the outcome of a job interview that is late in arriving or traffic to go to work) in which rather than letting oneself be dominated by anxiety and nervousness, it could be It is useful to approach that "pause" in a different way, taking it as an opportunity to observe, listen to and discover, at times, aspects of oneself that we would not have been able to see in the throes of impatience and agitation.

In these cases, the secret lies precisely in this: in the ability to resist the temptation to fill at all costs the "void" that waiting entails ; we are talking about the dimension of “not doing” , of “ not intervening ”, of the ability to observe and observe oneself without preconceived expectations and ideas. Only in this way could we transform a moment of stasis into an act of attention to ourselves.

Stopping does not mean "not to move", but to move better, since even an apparently annoying wait can favor reflection useful for our improvement.

Waiting is helplessness. Waiting is pain.

Waiting is part of our existence, it is a necessary but extremely painful, often humiliating moment, which cannot in any way be avoided. It is possible to use it with other activities, but it is a little voice in our head that never goes out: we are perfectly aware that we are waiting for something or someone even if we keep ourselves busy, even if we are in company. We're waiting. It is helplessness, and endurance, in the case of illness, and it also becomes painful and boring, because we can do nothing to change our state but wait, to heal, a response or death. It is helplessness in war or in prison where “even the light switch obeys an internal direction”.

It is pain even when we are forced to realize that we have waited in vain: “Those who love can never afford to be late. Desire arrives on time". The other always arrives late. And let's face it, how many questions, how many doubts about ourselves or the other are consequent to the waits, be they short or long? A phone call that does not arrive or a late reply to the message are not reasons for anguish? Anguish is another point in favor of waiting and against us.

This tangle of emotions grips me every day are the lifeblood of my novels.

Egypt and Islam

At the beginning of 2021 I lived in Egypt for two months, for business reasons. It wasn't the first time I had the opportunity to visit the country, but this one, unlike the others preceded it, was different for many reasons.

First of all because I got to know fantastic people, affable, helpful, affectionate, nice, lovely, willing to help me and to put up with me in what were my curiosities and needs. Of course I am talking about women and men who were always smiling and helpful, certainly not gruff and unpleasant inhabitants of Albione's land.

Egypt, a large country oriented towards becoming the center of that part of Middle East Africa very close to the Islamic world and a crossroads of many religions sharing a peace achieved at the cost of many sacrifices.

An Egypt with chaotic traffic where driving is a constant danger, an attractive Egypt where, perhaps, it would be nice to live appreciating all it has to offer, an Islamic Egypt that made me fall in love with itself and not only that.

But Egypt is not only that, Egypt is also culture and religion and Islam.

In this essay, I will talk about my version of Islamic culture and the - important - aspects that do not divide Christians from Muslims, on the contrary, they unite us. Religion is wisdom and not fear, knowing them better we will learn to appreciate their culture too, forgetting the extremists that exist in every religion and in every corner of this huge planet.

What is Islam?

Islam is not a new religion, but it is the same truth revealed by God to all his prophets since the creation of the world. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a way of life. Muslims profess a religion of peace, mercy and forgiveness that has nothing to do with the grave events erroneously associated with Islam.


Who are the Muslims?

In Egypt, Muslims represent the majority of the population out of over 120 million individuals of all ethnicities, nationalities and cultures. These people, women and men, are linked by a single, common, Islamic faith.


What Do Muslims Believe?

Foese many of you will not believe in what I am going to write here, but Muslims believe in one God; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets, thanks to whom his word was revealed to humanity; on the Day of Judgment when each of us will be judged individually according to his own actions; in the supreme authority of God over the destiny of men, and in life after death. Muslims believe in the concatenation of prophets which begins with Adam and includes Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elijah, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus. God to man, confirmation of the eternal message and compendium of all that has been, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, through the Archangel Gabriel, and this is the only substantial difference with the Christian world. 

Surprised?


What is the meaning of the word Islam?

The Arabic word Islam simply means submission and comes from a word that means peace. In the religious sphere, it means complete submission to the will of God and the believer is defined as a Muslim. Mohammedan is therefore an erroneous term as it leads one to believe that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. Allah is the name of God in the Arabic language, used by Muslims as well as Arab Christians.


Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and the three prophets descend directly from the latter's sons: Muhammad from the elder, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham founded the settlement that is now the city of Mecca, and built the Ka'ba, to which Muslims turn when they pray.


How has the spread of Islam affected the world?

One of the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam lies in the simplicity of its doctrine: Islam teaches to have faith and to worship one God. Islam also teaches man the good use of the power of the intellect and ability. of reflection. In the space of a few years, great civilizations and universities were born, since, according to the Prophet, the deepening of knowledge is a duty for every Muslim, man or woman. The synthesis of Eastern and Western thought and a new conception of tradition allowed great progress in fields such as medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature and history. . Many systems, of crucial importance, such as algebra, Arabic numerals, as well as the concept of zero (vital for the development of mathematical thought), were transmitted from Islam to Europe in the Middle Ages. Sophisticated tools were developed that made possible the long European voyages of discovery, such as, for example, the astrolabe, the dial and accurate charts for navigation.


What are the "Five Pillars" of Islam?

They are the basis of Muslim life: faith, prayer, obligatory almsgiving, fasting during the month of Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able to do so.
They are:

1. FAITH
There is no God but God and Muhammad is his Prophet. This declaration of faith is called shahada, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic the first part sounds like this ilaha illa'Llah - there is no other God besides God; ilaha (God) refers to whatever we could put in God's place - wealth, power and the like. Then comes illa'Llah: outside of God, the source of all creation. The second part of the Shahada reads Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: Muhammad is the messenger of God. An enlightened message reached us through a man similar to us.

2. THE PRAYER
Salat is the name of the obligatory prayers that are recited five times a day and which form the direct link between the believer and God. There are no hierarchical authorities, no priests in Islam, therefore the guidance of the prayers is entrusted to a person who knows the Koran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an and are recited in Arabic, the language of Revelation, however personal supplications can be recited in the language of any believer. Prayers are recited at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and when night falls, thus marking the rhythm of the whole day. Although it is preferable to pray together in a mosque, a Muslim can pray almost anywhere, in the fields, in the office, in the factory, at the university. Those who visit the Arab world are struck by the importance of prayers in people's daily lives.

3. THE ZAKAT
One of the fundamental principles of Islam is that all things belong to God and therefore wealth is entrusted to mankind. The word Zakat means both purification and growth. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a portion of them for the needy and, as happens when pruning a plant, this cut allows for new growth. Each Muslim calculates his zakat individually. In general this implies the annual payment of 2.5% of your capital. A pious person can give what he wants as a sadaqa, and preferably in a confidential manner. Although the term can be translated as voluntary charity it has a much broader meaning. The Prophet said:
“Welcoming your brother with a smile is also a charitable gesture”. "Charity is a duty for every Muslim," He was asked, "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied, "He should work with his own hands for his own benefit and then give something of his gain in charity." The Companions asked him: "What if he cannot work?" The Prophet said, "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions asked again: "What if he can't even do that?" The Prophet said, "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said, "What if he also fails to do this?" The Prophet said, “He should refrain from behaving wrongly. This too is charity."

4. FASTING
Every year, during the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse. The sick, the elderly, those traveling and pregnant or breastfeeding women are allowed to break the fast, then observing during the year a number of fasting days equivalent to those not performed. Those who are physically unable to observe the fast must offer food to a person in need for the same number of days as the fast was not observed. Babies begin fasting (and saying prayers) from puberty, although many start even earlier. Fasting, while very healthy, is mainly observed as a method of self-purification. Who fasts, even if for a short time, is in harmony with all those who fast and at the same time grows spiritually.

5. THE PILGRIMAGE (Hajj or Haj)

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca - the Hajj - is a duty for all those who are able to fulfill it both physically and economically. About two million faithful, from all over the world, go to Mecca every year and this represents, among other things, a unique opportunity for individuals of different nationalities to meet. Although Mecca is always full of visitors, the annual pilgrimage begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so both Hajj and Ramadan sometimes fall in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special garments: simple garments that erase all social and cultural distinctions, so that all are equal before God.

The Hajj rite, which dates back to Abraham, requires seven laps around the Ka'ba and seven times the journey between the heights of Safa and Marwa, as did Hagar, wife of Abraham, while in search water for his son Ishmael. Then the pilgrims gather in Arafat's wide esplanade and join in prayer to implore divine forgiveness, which is often seen as a foretaste of the Last Judgment. In past centuries, carrying out the Hajj was a truly arduous undertaking. Today, Saudi Arabia offers a modern network of means of transport, and equipment equipped with every comfort. The end of the pilgrimage is marked by a holiday - Eid al-Adha - which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts within the various Muslim communities. This anniversary, together with that of Eid al-Fitr, the day in which the end of Ramadan is celebrated, are the two most important religious holidays in the Muslim calendar.

What do Muslims think of Jesus?

Muslims respect and honor Jesus and look forward to his second coming. They consider him one of the greatest divine messengers. A Muslim never refers to him by simply calling him Jesus, but always adding the words peace be with him. The Koran confirms his birth from a virgin woman (a chapter of the Koran is titled Mary), and Mary is considered the purest woman in the universe.

Why is the family so important to Muslims?

The family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and security provided by a stable family unit are highly valued and are considered essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social order is given by the existence of patriarchal families; children are precious gifts and rarely leave their home before marriage.

How do Muslims deal with older people?

There are no retirement homes for the elderly in the Islamic world. The effort to take care of one's parents in this difficult time of their life is considered an honor and also an opportunity for spiritual growth. God asks us not only to pray for our parents, but to behave with infinite mercy, reminding us that when we were helpless children they put us before themselves. Mothers are particularly revered: the Prophet believed that Heaven is at the feet of mothers. When they are older, Muslim parents are treated with kindness, kindness and self-denial. In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty that comes after only prayer, and this expectation is their right. It is considered despicable to show irritation when, through no fault of their own, old people become difficult.

The Koran says: "Your Lord has ordered you not to worship anyone but Him, and to be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reach an advanced age, in the course of your life, do not say words of contempt to them, do not reject them, but address them with respect ". "And with goodness incline the wing of humility and protection towards them, and say: O my Lord, grant them your mercy because they took care of me in my childhood" (Koran 17:23, 24).

There will come a day when Muslims and Christians will coexist in peace, that day will be when women and men all over the planet will finally learn that we are all equal before God.

This essay is dedicated to a dear friend of mine known in Egypt, I know she appreciates me and I reciprocate affectionately. May God always illuminate our lives.

ALITALIA? NO GRAZIE!

Una voragine.

Dopo quattro anni di amministrazione straordinaria il governo Draghi ha appena deciso di nominare altri due commissari in Alitalia che a questo punto – salvo errori - diventano contemporaneamente ben otto. In quattro anni sono stati intanto dilapidati 1,3 MILIARDI di prestiti dello Stato, 300 MILIONI di interessi passivi, 350 MILIONI di ristori Covid (sempre dello Stato) a compensazione del crollo del traffico aereo del 2020, con circa 3 MILIARDI di debiti accumulati dalla bad company nei confronti dei fornitori e ora altri 3 MILIARDI in pancia alla nuova società, direttamente controllata al 100% dal ministero del Tesoro (quindi sempre dallo Stato).

Ci si poteva aspettare che la compagnia avesse intanto tagliato di brutto i suoi costi e soprattutto le sue consulenze esterne che invece sono lievitate ad oltre 14 milioni l’anno solo per pagare i consulenti che la stanno accompagnando in questo periodo.

Altro che decollo, l’Alitalia è un continuo schiantarsi al suolo! Fosse fallita anni fa avremmo risparmiato somme sufficienti a creare una nuova flotta e una nuova società, come avvenne per Swissair, Sabena, Olympic. Eppure in Svizzera, Belgio e Grecia si vola lo stesso con altre aziende “nazionali”.

Quando finirà questo suicidio?

Green revolution? No thanks!

The great heresy: is the green revolution a huge fake news?
Every year, man extracts 50 billion tons of construction materials, fossil fuels, minerals and metals from the soil and the earth's subsoil. To be clear, a mass equal to that of 140,000 Empire State Buildings.

A devastating environmental impact is associated with this gigantic withdrawal of natural resources.
We all have in mind the images of failed oil tankers dumping thousands of tons of crude oil into the sea. Not everyone knows, however, that one of the most serious environmental disasters of recent decades was caused by a copper mine (the Ok Tedi disaster) or that one of the main causes of forest fires in the Amazon and Africa is precisely the activity extractive.

To ease the anthropogenic (human) pressure on the terrestrial ecosystem, an aggressive group of scientists, communicators, activists and politicians have gradually managed to impose a new development perspective on a large slice of Western public opinion, apparently centered on more rationality of natural resources.
Instead of extracting billions of tons a year of coal, oil and natural gas we will have to learn to exploit the energy of the sun and wind, renewable resources whose exploitation does not damage the ecosystem.

All correct, right?

No, all wrong.

Solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric cars are technological devices made of concrete, plastic, steel, titanium, copper, silver, cobalt, lithium and dozens of other minerals.

A commentary published in Nature Geoscience a few years ago estimates that, just to convert one seventh of the world's primary energy production (25,000 TWh), it may be necessary to triple the production of concrete (from just over 10 billion tons per year to almost 35), quintuple that of steel (from just under two billion tons to just over 10) and multiply that of glass, aluminum and copper by several times. And we are talking about converting not even 15% of the world's energy needs to renewable energy.

Not only that, a technical aspect must also be considered: the "gold vein" exists only in comics. To give an example, on average in a copper deposit, copper is present with a concentration of about 0.6%. This means that more than 150 tons of rock must be crumbled to extract a ton of metal. The great South African gold mines grind 5/6,000 tons of rock a day to extract less than 20 tons of precious metal a year.

But that's not enough. How is aluminum produced? Well, with a process that consumes a lot of energy: to produce a ton of aluminum, in fact, about 30,000 kWh (between thermal and electrical energy) are required. And the steel industry is also an energy-intensive activity: the production of a ton of steel requires between 800 and 5,000 kWh equivalent.

So, just to produce the steel needed to build enough wind panels and turbines to generate 25,000 TWh of renewable energy a year, we might need an extra 7,000/40,000 TWh a year of fossil energy.

And that's not all. In fact, the known reserves of about a dozen materials at the base of the “green revolution” would be enough to cover only a few years of consumption in a 100% renewable scenario. The European Union, for example, predicts that, in order to hit the ambitious targets of the Green Deal, it will need far more rare earths than are currently mined worldwide.

It should be noted that these estimates are not the backbiting of a doubt trader paid for by Big Oil. The UN, the European Commission, the World Bank have produced extensive reports in which they arrive at similar conclusions: a lot of more natural resources will be needed. On the other hand, the studies that investigate the subject are numerous, and published in the most authoritative scientific journals in the world: PNAS, Science, Nature.

Yet, despite the vast panorama of popular magazines that closely follow the "green revolution", from Le Scienze to the many digital newspapers, curiously in Italian there is not a single in-depth study on this aspect, so enormous and so contradictory.

The perception, quite widespread to tell the truth, is that those who have been doing scientific dissemination for some time have arrogated to themselves the right to choose what to disclose and what not. In short, he has decided to do politics instead of information.

Otherwise, it is not possible to explain how it is possible to lash out almost daily against the growth paradigm and, at the same time, support a “green revolution” that imagines to double - at least - the withdrawal of natural resources in a few decades.

Or how is it possible that, while indignant about environmental disasters in the Amazon or Australia, one plans to dig 170 km deep pits to search for the metals necessary to meet the needs of the wind and solar industry (a prospect that for the moment , among other things, it is pure science fiction, since we talk about operating at temperatures and pressures unmanageable with current technology).

On Econopoly we had already dealt with this aspect and we had done it well before the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted that science is not at all monolithic as some media portray it (On the crazy climate listen to the scientists. Ok, but which ones? ).

Ultimately, behind what we call the "green revolution" actually hides a program to rapidly and drastically increase the withdrawal of natural resources. With all that this entails for the health of ecosystems and even human beings: to extract billions more tons of gravel, clay, iron, bauxite and copper, we will destroy other pristine forests, we will further pollute air and water, we will push dozens towards extinction. of thousands of animal species.

So, in essence, a very different scenario from what is sold to public opinion.

This is not a dystopia, a distant future shrouded in the mists of probably and perhaps: the European Commission has just announced a funding program for the European mining industry and the price of copper soars (+ 40% from March to today ), driven precisely by the demand linked to Chinese electric cars and the European Green Deal. We are already in it, we are already devastating hundreds of ecosystems in search of lithium and cobalt for batteries or rare earths for wind turbine magnets.

Driven by emotionality, we feed an epochal bubble.

Are there any other solutions? The temperature continues to rise, we can not ignore it.

Of course there are other solutions.

And, again, we come up against the rubber wall of disclosure: public opinion has been convinced that there are no other paths but in reality this is not the case.

Let's take an exemplary case: Direct Atmosphere Capture (DAC).

Direct capture is a technology with a pioneering appearance, but in reality very simple, which allows you to separate carbon dioxide from the air. Nothing science fiction, there are dozens of perfectly functioning pilot plants all over the world.

Generally, this technology is ridiculed as being very expensive: the scientifically certified results stand at a minimum cost of 94 dollars for each ton of carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere. Objectively, a considerable cost given that we emit almost 37 billion tons a year.

Anyone who points out that we are talking about data relating to a very small pilot plant and that in a large plant the costs could already be much lower now, is accused of magical thinking, although the potential for economies of scale is known. and easily measurable.

Furthermore, direct capture is expected to compete with renewables without benefiting from public incentives, while renewables are generously subsidized.

Well, the curious thing is that the current estimates on the costs of the "green revolution" are around 5,000 / 6,000 billion a year, while capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere at 94 dollars a ton (let's repeat it: an unreasonable cost inflated by imagining a large-scale use) would cost "only" 3 trillion a year! It is really difficult to understand how direct capture can be defined as expensive, while supporting a solution that costs twice as much.

Not to forget, then, as Nature points out, that direct capture has a fundamental advantage over all other solutions: it minimizes uncertainty, attacks the core of the problem. On the one hand we are talking about reducing the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through complex cultural and social mechanisms, on the other hand we are talking about removing it directly with a technology.

Even more curious is the case of reforestation and regenerative agriculture (not to be confused with organic or biodynamic agriculture: we are talking about intensive agriculture with higher yields than the traditional chemical one), two perfectly eco-sustainable options that would allow us to quickly tackle the problem. of climate change, with a limited expenditure of resources and attractive socio-economic consequences. Yet, initiatives in this direction are continually under fire from scientists, disseminators and green activists. A paradox. The accusation is unsettling: the adoption of these solutions could slow down the transition to renewable energy.

But is the ultimate goal of this gigantic effort to secure the planet from climate uncertainty or to get the renewable energy lobby to make a lot of money? It has now become very difficult to understand.

Elon Musk is undoubtedly a brilliant entrepreneur, a genius of our time, but this does not mean that we must feel obliged to pay him 1,000 / 2,000 billion dollars a year, generously sprinkled with public funds that we take away from health or education, just for give two examples.

It would be nice to be able to comment, as indeed it is very fashionable in these times, saying that it is increasingly important to study, get informed, investigate, because our future is at stake. But if upstream there is a filter that selects which information should reach the media and which not, this becomes just another exercise in haughty and inconclusive style.

"It should be noted that the IPCC in its fifth report, consistent with all previous assessment reports, does not explicitly address the question of the material implications of climate development scenarios" (World Bank).

Falling Man

Il mistero dietro la foto di "Falling Man" scattata durante gli attacchi dell'11 settembre

19 anni dopo i terribili attacchi dell'11 settembre 2001, la famosa foto di Richard Drew è ancora piena di mistero.

La maggior parte delle immagini che conserviamo dell'11 settembre sono di distruzione di massa, folle, polvere, cenere e fiamme. Ma quello di Falling Man ("l'uomo che cade", in italiano) si concentra su una vita, una morte, un uomo in mezzo alla massa, che si scioglie in linee fugaci e vertiginose.

Catturata da Richard Drew (per l'Associated Press), l'immagine ricorda la solitudine di fronte alla morte e ogni vita persa ingiustamente quel giorno. La sagoma di quest'uomo anonimo è circolata sui media internazionali all'indomani degli attacchi, ma gradualmente ha cessato di esistere sui media americani, come una censura progressiva. Tuttavia, quest'uomo continua a segnare la coscienza, 19 anni dopo.

Inconsapevolmente, quando ha iniziato a fotografare le Torri Gemelle in fiamme e intrappolate in una densa nuvola di fumo, il fotoreporter americano Richard Drew stava per catturare la foto che rimarrà nell'inconscio collettivo legato al uno degli eventi storicamente più fotografati. In perfetta simmetria, prendendo come sfondo una torre colossale, ha congelato la traiettoria di un uomo nell'aria, che si è gettato nel vuoto dopo l'impatto del primo aereo sulla Torre Nord del Mondo Centro commerciale.

Richard Drew racconta

In un articolo del 2011 pubblicato dal sito web Daily Beast , Richard Drew dice che stava cercando di fare un servizio di moda e stava parlando con un cameraman della CNN quando quest'ultimo ha puntato il dito alla prima svolta. Il suo editore le ha detto di abbandonare le riprese e di andare a coprire l'evento. Quando è sceso dalla metropolitana, Richard ha visto le due torri in fiamme. Un secondo aereo aveva colpito la seconda torre quel tanto che bastava perché potesse viaggiare.

Intervistato da Time, spiega che ha istintivamente preso la sua macchina fotografica (una Nikon DCS-620) quando ha visto cadere tutte queste persone. Ha iniziato a scattarli a raffica con il suo obiettivo da 200 millimetri. Situato in un angolo perfetto, a un incrocio, è riuscito dopo pochi secondi a concentrarsi sulla traiettoria di un uomo, quello che sarà conosciuto come "Falling Man". Di tutti quegli scatti a raffica, solo uno ha fatto la differenza, quello che tutti conosciamo, catturato alle 9:41 e 15 secondi, dove quest'uomo è perfettamente allineato con le linee della facciata dietro di lui, con la testa verso terra. A quel tempo, Richard Drew non aveva idea di aver scattato una foto di quest'uomo in quella posizione esatta.

Una distanza abolita tra chi guarda e la foto

Richard Drew descrive la sua fotografia come "uno scatto calmo, a differenza delle cose violente che siamo abituati a vedere in altri disastri. Sembra che una croce umana stia dividendo in due l'edificio del World Trade Center. Non è così. non c'è sangue, né spari " . Ciò non ha impedito al pubblico di identificarsi e mettersi nei panni di questo corpo. 

A differenza di altre foto dolorose di questo evento, non c'è più distanza tra lo spettatore e la foto. Le persone sentono più che mai che questo può accadere a loro, e che avrebbero fatto la stessa cosa di lui: gettarsi dalla torre.

Toccato e segnato da questi fatti che ha dovuto denunciare e immortalare, Richard Drew spiega che ogni fotografo non deve considerarsi una vittima: "I giornalisti non fuggono lontano da un incendio o da un edificio che crolla, prendono in prestito proprio in questa direzione, perché è nostro dovere registrare la storia Abbiamo avuto un attacco terroristico sul nostro suolo e non vediamo persone che muoiono tra tutte le foto che sono circolate . ..] . Dovevo rimanere emotivamente intoccabile di fronte a quest'uomo. 

L'identità del "Falling Man" ancora sconosciuta

È stato in un post di Esquire che il titolo della foto è caduto. Tom Junod, giornalista, ha chiamato la sua indagine The Falling Man . E quel nome è rimasto. Ad oggi, l'identità di questo "Falling Man" rimane sconosciuta al mondo intero. Si ritiene che fosse uno dei dipendenti del ristorante Windows of the World situato all'ultimo piano della Torre Nord del World Trade Center. Di tutte le persone che caddero quel giorno, quest'uomo vestito con una "tunica bianca con una maglietta arancione sotto" attirò l'attenzione di Richard Drew. Perché ? Non può spiegarlo a se stesso. Non ha cercato personalmente di scoprire la sua identità, non era questo l'obiettivo.

Questo nome e quest'uomo sono diventati un'allegoria di uno dei più grandi traumi negli Stati Uniti. Tom Junod è andato alla disperata ricerca della sua identità e non è riuscito a trovare il suo nome. In questa indagine, spiega che questa immagine "esiste come uno studio della verticalità condannata, una fantasia di linee rette con un uomo incrostato nel mezzo, come un picco". " Pic", "croce", immagine della morte o anche "l'uomo che cadde verso la Terra", come direbbe il giornalista canadese Peter Cheney , queste sono le parafrasi per designare quest'uomo senza nome, il cui anonimato gli conferisce uno status simbolico.

"Potrebbe essere un uomo di corporatura normale, pelle scura, probabilmente di origine ispanica. Sembrava che stesse indossando un pizzetto, era vestito con una camicia bianca, una giacca nera. "Uniforme e pantaloni neri come i dipendenti del ristorante Windows of the World che si trovava al 107 ° piano della Torre Nord",  descrive Peter Cheney. In totale, 79 dipendenti di questo ristorante sono stati uccisi quel giorno. L'uomo che cade era presumibilmente uno di loro. Peter Cheney va anche oltre. È certo di aver trovato l'identità esatta di quest'uomo: Norberto Hernandez, residente nel Queens, che occupa l'incarico di pasticcere.

Ma la famiglia dell'uomo finisce per contraddirlo e rifiuta di credergli per problemi di abbigliamento: la moglie di Norberto Hernandez è convinta che il marito non indossasse nulla sotto la camicia, mentre la sorella resta convinta che lo sia. buono da parte sua. Tra false identità e nomi ipotetici contraddetti, questo anonimo non porterà mai un nome. Come riassume Tom Junod nel 2003: " The Falling Man non cade più solo attraverso cieli blu vuoti. Cade attraverso vasti spazi di memoria, continuando a prendere velocità".

Una storia di autocensura nazionale

Il giorno dopo la sparatoria, Richard Drew ricorda di aver visto la sua foto sul New York Times . Considerava questo pregiudizio giornalistico molto coraggioso poiché il paese era in lutto. I titoli continuano, poi tocca a Morning Call pubblicare questa foto nell'ultima pagina. Anche l'editore ha visto questo come un gesto forte.

Esquire si accontenta di vederlo apparire al centro delle sue pagine. Il New York Times e Morning Call hanno ricevuto un'enorme quantità di critiche e lettere da commercianti o lettori che dicevano che non avrebbero mai dovuto pubblicare questa foto, specialmente in una, e quella era troppo violenta per i bambini. Sono circa un centinaio le pubblicazioni di questa foto, in giro per il mondo, pochi giorni dopo gli attentati.

A poco a poco, come un boomerang che torna, un fenomeno di autocensura, tacita e nazionale, si insedia sui media americani che non possono più sopportare di vedere questa fotografia. In questo articolo di Le Monde , Richard Drew descrive ironicamente questo cliché come "il più famoso che nessuno abbia mai visto". Questa foto scompare dalla stampa, ma anche da film e documentari dell'11 settembre dove si preferisce mettere in risalto altri luoghi comuni.

Non ci sono più immagini o registrazioni di persone che saltano dalle torri circolanti . Lo scrittore Don DeLillo, avendo intitolato il suo libro sugli attacchi dell'uomo che cade e l'atmosfera di caos degli attacchi, non ha voluto usare questa immagine. 19 anni dopo, nonostante tutto, la foto ossessiona ancora e continua a far parlare di sé.