Hmm… I didn’t quite know what to think when I first heard about your 9/11 flip book. On the one hand, I was put off by the sensationalism of it. On another, I found it clever and witty in its cynicism. And on yet another hand I liked the thoughts it sparked in my own mind and the conversations that would follow in discussions with other people.

I’m sure that there are those who dismiss it outright as blasphemous and condemn you for even thinking to use such a tragic event for (what they would perceive to be) your own gain. I would like to think that I am a little more open minded than that and would take the time to consider the artistic merits of your book and what you might be saying in your creation of it.

I watched the video on your website in which Dan Gilbert talks about the repetition of the Twin Towers footage and I agree that it instilled a deep fear in all of us who were glued to our media outlets. There was a disbelief that was blown away more and more by every repetition of those images. It was almost as if it became more real every time we saw it. It was so unbelievable and our only proof (at first) was that footage.

On the flip side (pun intended), it could be argued that the same repetition desensitized us. We all stare into our glowing screens watching all sorts of provocative material secure in the knowledge that we can turn it off and it goes away. We see war footage on television, in video games, hear it on the radio, read it in the press and it all seems far away. "That would never happen here, we have enough distance for it not to affect us directly." Even to those living outside of NYC, who’ve never been there, it’s almost a fictional place that exists only in movies or on vacation.

(Here comes the inevitable “I remember where I was” story) I was in DC. It was the day of my step-great-grandmother’s funeral. I was able to make it to the church along with a few others, but just before we went in we heard that there was another plane in the air and it was headed for DC. I was afraid it was going to fall out of the sky and onto our heads. Completely unrealistic I know, but that’s how terrorism works I suppose. And once we finally made it to my parents’ home several hours later the whole family was planted in front of the television. Everyone had their own reaction – my husband went back to our apartment so he could watch without interruption, my teenage little brother laughed in disbelief, my Mom kept repeating incorrect facts she’d gleaned from various sources, I just stared unable to take it all in.

I guess my point is that everyone has their own reaction to the events of September 11th and everyone’s reaction is true to them and valid. And I think the same is true of your flip book. It is a mirror of the events of that day with two important differences. We can control it by picking it up or putting it down anytime we want, and we can hold it in our own hands.

I look forward to reading the book. And thank you for making me think.

Amanda Marsico

Thank you, Mr. Blake!

Both for the opportunity to spout my thoughts and the gift of your flip book.

And I do think your book is a gift. As is your ability to take in so much reaction to the sensitive nature of the subject. When I first saw your call for essays my brain went "It's like he's a sin eater." Which I realize now isn't really appropriate - you're more like a priest or a therapist to your audience.

I have to ask, doesn't it wear on you? Doesn't it hurt sometimes? I mean, the day itself was so painful for so many, it just seems superhuman to me to take on all of that emotion.