Global terrorism is extreme both in its lack of realistic goals and in its cynical exploitation of the vulnerability of complex systems.
Jurgen HabermasRead
Perhaps September 11 could be called the first historic world event in the strictest sense: the impact, the explosion, the slow collapse - a gruesome reality literally took place in front of a global public.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the profound impact of the September 11 attacks as a historical moment witnessed by the world.
Jurgen Habermas highlights the September 11 attacks as a pivotal historic moment that was not just a national tragedy but a global spectacle that affected the international community. He emphasizes how the events unfolded in real-time, allowing the world to witness the devastating consequences and the collective response to such an unprecedented crisis.
Themes
September 11Historic EventGlobal ImpactCollapseTragedy
In practice
Example use cases
During a memorial speech, one could use this quote to emphasize the global significance of the events.
More from Jurgen Habermas
All quotes →I cannot imagine a context that would some day, in some manner, make the monstrous crime of September 11 an understandable or comprehensible political act
Jurgen HabermasRead
If the September 11 terror attack is supposed to constitute a caesura in world history, it must be able to stand comparison to other events of world historical impact.
Jurgen HabermasRead
The scenarios of biological or chemical warfare painted in detail by the American media during the months after September 11 only betray the inability of the government to determine the magnitude of the danger.
Jurgen HabermasRead
The difference between political terror and ordinary crime becomes clear during the change of regimes, in which former terrorists become well-regarded representatives of their country.
Jurgen HabermasRead
Today's Islamic fundamentalism is also a cover for political motifs. We should not overlook the political motifs we encounter in forms of religious fanaticism
Jurgen HabermasRead
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