I just saw the questions on the syllabus for "The Unthinkable." I'll add a little amendment to my reading response for this week.
Prompt: How has "The Unthinkable" altered your thinking about yourself? About journalism? What might we do better?
I think the most fascinating part about this book is that people who believe they can will survive. It's all about confidence and willpower. Of course there's always a freak accident. But living through a disaster is possible and your odds are strengthened by preparing — just like training for a race. This kind of optimistic thinking puts the control back in my hands. I am responsible for my survival. It takes work and planning and mental agility, but it's possible.
The wake-up call for me as a journalist is that I need to integrate this knowledge into my reporting. My assumptions will be challenged, but they need to be. I will judge less and extend more grace. I'll put myself in their shoes before making a judgment call.
Journalists need to read this book — both for their own survival as well as building empathy for interviews. The science-y stuff I learned in this book as well as the anecdotal wisdom has changed the way I think about traumatic events. Hopefully, I'll be more understanding and adept with handling interviews and writing stories. And if a traumatic event ever happens to me, instead of being frightened or frozen, hopefully, I will act decisively and wisely.
As the Turkmen say, nesip bolsa and hudah shukur (God willing and with God's blessing). Such talk always commands a knock on wood..
Prompt: How has "The Unthinkable" altered your thinking about yourself? About journalism? What might we do better?
I think the most fascinating part about this book is that people who believe they can will survive. It's all about confidence and willpower. Of course there's always a freak accident. But living through a disaster is possible and your odds are strengthened by preparing — just like training for a race. This kind of optimistic thinking puts the control back in my hands. I am responsible for my survival. It takes work and planning and mental agility, but it's possible.
The wake-up call for me as a journalist is that I need to integrate this knowledge into my reporting. My assumptions will be challenged, but they need to be. I will judge less and extend more grace. I'll put myself in their shoes before making a judgment call.
Journalists need to read this book — both for their own survival as well as building empathy for interviews. The science-y stuff I learned in this book as well as the anecdotal wisdom has changed the way I think about traumatic events. Hopefully, I'll be more understanding and adept with handling interviews and writing stories. And if a traumatic event ever happens to me, instead of being frightened or frozen, hopefully, I will act decisively and wisely.
As the Turkmen say, nesip bolsa and hudah shukur (God willing and with God's blessing). Such talk always commands a knock on wood..
No comments:
Post a Comment