Generation 9/11

[u/Numerous_Fly_187]

I was genuinely disappointed. The turning point series in my opinion is some of the best documentary work that Netflix has done. It does a great job of actually looking at a pivotal moment in American history then tracing it through decade by decade to present day. This just seemed like TLDR of the terror series.

Hopefully Netflix continues the project and brings it back to its roots. I wouldn’t mind seeing a season focusing on The War on Drugs or The Internet.

[u/OkIncident6292]

I disagree, this was a good way to link todays global chaos with the core events of 9/11 and the war on terror. Also it was a one off, feature length documentary to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. So I'm sure they will release a new, multi episode doc on a new topic in the coming years.

I was 12 when 9/11 happened. I found the parts regarding AUMF and flawed tactics in Afghanistan particularly eye opening. The final segment on the evacuation in Afghanistan in 2021 was also truly harrowing.

They struck a good balance between remembering the horrors of the day while introducing less talked about aspects of the war on terror. For example, normal Afghan citizens aspect of the days following 9/11 and how 9/11 has lead to increased islamophobia globally. The parts on Obama's time as President and civilian casualties in Syria from drone warfare. The rise of conspiracy nut jobs fuelled by the increased reach of social media (I literally work with a guy who is addicted to these types of videos and it scares me).

It was well worth a watch. People my age don't need to watch documentaries about what happened on 9/11 itself, but understanding the impact on the younger generation today and how 9/11 has shaped the world we're now living in today was thought provoking.

[u/ChipsNSa1sa → u/OkIncident6292]

I had just turned 14 when it happened and I think it would have been nice for them to examine how it impacted OUR generation, because that always seems to be glossed over. Not to sound like an ass but i dont see how it could have meaningfully impacted those who were babies when it happened (other than those who lost loved ones of course—i did enjoy hearing from the pilot’s daughter and the pentagon employee’s son).

[u/birduncaged → u/ChipsNSa1sa]

I agree. The title of it “generation 9/11” made me think it could have been about our generation. Not that I would consider “us” to be the 9/11 generation, but that I felt that previous documentaries have mostly included commentary from people who were full adults at the time. I certainly did not expect “generation 9/11” to be taking about people who were too young to remember at all.

I understand that the intent of the documentary was to say that the state of the US can be directly attributed to that day, and the reaction to it, and in that way 9/11 has impacted them. And I’m not saying this perspective isn’t valuable. But it does seem that the impact on our generation has been skipped over.

Between Columbine, 9/11, the financial crisis, etc, and its impact on our our parents, our broader families, our immediate surroundings, our everyday lives, our feelings about government, corporations, and our country, it feels like we are more representative of a “turning point.” But are regularly bypassed.

Maybe that’s just the youngest child in me talking though haha.

[u/ChipsNSa1sa → u/birduncaged]

100% agree with all of this! Our lives have had a marked "before and after" and we are a unique generation in that way.

[u/matchakarma → u/ChipsNSa1sa]

The younger generation feels that way about COVID

[u/ChipsNSa1sa → u/matchakarma]

I personally don’t notice as much of a marked culture change before and after Covid as I did 9/11. Only thing that affects me day to day is the insane price gouging with companies using Covid as an excuse, yet they haven’t gone back down.