September 16, 2001

10:53 AM

One World Ribbon Project. This past week we have witnessed human destruction on a level never imagined. This is not just an American problem, it is a world problem. We are one species on one planet.

With this in mind, I have put together the "One World Ribbon Project" (please excuse this self-referring post) to emphasize that this is a human tragedy that affects each and every one of us on Earth.

I have created a ribbon icon that incorporates the colors of all nations on Earth. If you feel so inclined please display this ribbon on your web site as a reminder of the work that lays ahead for all of us.
posted by Taken Outtacontext (43 comments total)

nicely done.
posted by jaustinspace at 11:17 AM on September 16, 2001

Where's the blue? Or did I misunderstand something?
posted by dagny at 11:19 AM on September 16, 2001

i think the blue is between the white and yellow, just very dark.
posted by smt at 11:23 AM on September 16, 2001

Thx. Yes, I may have to lighten it a bit. It is there between the white and the yellow.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:27 AM on September 16, 2001

Just what you need, the hippy brigade to match into town.
posted by Atom Heart Mother at 11:40 AM on September 16, 2001

Self-link. Metatalk.
posted by gd779 at 11:42 AM on September 16, 2001

Never confuse motion with action. While this ribbon might be nice and pretty, does it actually do anything to prevent further acts of terrorism? Sorry for the criticism, but while flailing about ineffectually might make you feel better, it doesn't get anything accomplished.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 11:43 AM on September 16, 2001

Sorry but, at the moment, red, white and blue are still more appropriate.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 11:56 AM on September 16, 2001

Well, for one thing, it might, just might (gotta try) redirect a retrenchment into *unbridled* patriotism.

Don't get me wrong, I love living here and am thankful for the lifestyle I've inherited (and those who have sacrificed for what I enjoy). But if one thinks this is just an American problem, then we're missing an important point of this heinous set of events.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:57 AM on September 16, 2001

I know it's a self-link. And if Matt wants to take it off, I have no problem with that. I thought this might be something the community is interested in. I'm not interested in gaining fame nor fortune because of it.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 11:59 AM on September 16, 2001

Nice symbol for some (hopefully) good actions that will be taking place. Don't forget, monju: while symbols don't negate the need for action, we still need the symbols as well. Good thoughts, Taken.
posted by ChrisTN at 12:01 PM on September 16, 2001

It may come as a surprise to some americans, but people from over 40 countries are reported missing after the attacks. See scripting news for more info.
posted by effbot at 12:09 PM on September 16, 2001

sheesh. can we please just shitcan the melodramatic rhetoric?

"This past week we have witnessed human destruction on a level never imagined."

what a load. the WTC attack is a pimple on the ass of certain recurring natural disasters. in some parts of the world, earthquakes have killed many tens of thousands in seconds. and then there was bhopal...

i'm not attempting to marginalize what was done, but lets please just quit with the ridiculous overdramatic verbage.
posted by quonsar at 12:12 PM on September 16, 2001

oh, and while i'm being a curmudgeon, what was the alcohol-related death toll on our public highways last week?
posted by quonsar at 12:19 PM on September 16, 2001

Wow, so you're saying that human's cause earthquakes, Quonsar? Amazing.
Give the guy a break.
posted by Doug at 12:20 PM on September 16, 2001

Here's my contribution. Post where you want.
posted by Brilliantcrank at 12:30 PM on September 16, 2001

Here's my contribution. Post where you want.
posted by Brilliantcrank at 12:36 PM on September 16, 2001

Doug, you conveniently picked the only one of quonsar's 3 examples which was not caused by humans. Moreover, his point stand regardless of the cause. We have seen tragedy like this before and much worse.

Bhopal : 16,000 people killed by an industrial accident

From Union Carbide's annual report 1999:
The death toll in Bhopal has now risen over 16,000, with some half a million people directly injured — more than 120,000 of who have permanent disabilities.
posted by brantstrand at 12:36 PM on September 16, 2001

doug, you know i'm not saying that, and you know i'm not attacking takenouttacontext, other than his fine example of over the top rhetoric. you know those things, yet you would still imply otherwise. you're part of the problem.
posted by quonsar at 12:36 PM on September 16, 2001

Doh! Sorry for the double post everybody. Got distracted.
posted by Brilliantcrank at 12:37 PM on September 16, 2001

It's OK, AkulaIX - on this thread it looks good!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:51 PM on September 16, 2001

A suitable image, if you feel the need for red, white and blue.
posted by bjgeiger at 1:15 PM on September 16, 2001

It may come as a surprise to some americans, but people from over 40 countries are reported missing after the attacks.

And why exactly would it come as a surprise?
posted by fooljay at 1:15 PM on September 16, 2001

You're right, Brand, let's play compare the tragedy. You get out the score card, and I'll make up a point system. Freak.
And Quonsar, I'm not sure exactly what problem that would be, but I can't say I'm very ashamed of it. I'm sure Take was expressing himself sincerely in his post, considering the fact he set up a site devoted to eulogizing the event, so attacking him for being overlu dramatic is a bit unnecessary, don't you think?
posted by Doug at 1:16 PM on September 16, 2001

Quonsar, is this better to your liking? Listen, I was trying to get this thing done and put up quickly (I'm still in my pj's and it's 4pm!).

I never like heavy-handed rhetoric either and when I write, I usually sit on it for a day or so to make any editorial changes. Simply didn't have time in this case, but am going back now to make some additional changes. Changed the blue so it's more prominent and added some transparent gifs.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 1:19 PM on September 16, 2001

Wow, I guess Brand doesn't like my badges:

In his email to me:
"Thanks for the meaningful, insightful contribution to the dialogue... oh wait, you're the moron posting flag thumbnails. Forget that other stuff."

Well Brand, you Mefi newbie, Make 7-up yours.
posted by Brilliantcrank at 1:25 PM on September 16, 2001

Thanks Doug for your support. I appreciate it. I can take Quonsar's (or anyone else's *constructive* criticism).

After reading AkulaIX's last post I've just gotta say: what is it with this **community** anyway? I've been on MeFi for about a year and a half and sometimes the unnecessary flames are anything but inviting.

Most times it's not what one says but how it's said. Words are power and I would say (if you don't think I'm being too rhetorical) that each of us has a lot of power here. Like our government, I hope we learn to use it wisely.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 1:37 PM on September 16, 2001

Just what the world needs... more useless ribbons.
posted by bondcliff at 1:40 PM on September 16, 2001

Excellent sentiment, TOC, and nice job on the graphic (although the blue is still a bit too dark).

I agree with quonsar about the level of overwrought rhetoric being used to describe the whole incident, and Bhopal is an excellent reminder of the scale of the tragedy in comparison (anyone want to dig up the stats of the death toll in Bangladesh from the flooding disasters a few years back?), although quonsar doesn't have to be quite that rude to make the point.

Having said those things, though, I also agree with Monju that ribbons (regardless of their color scheme), flags, t-shirts, sappy songs, and all the other displays that ar ein abundance right now are indeed ineffectual compared to material assistance. Do whatever you have to do to make yourself feel better, but don't mistake it for action if it isn't.
posted by briank at 1:42 PM on September 16, 2001

Point well take briank. Material and emotional assistance for those directly affected should be a priority.

However, that being said, living in Washington, DC (and having been across the street from the White House when this thing started), I've witnessed many a narrow-minded and misguided rhetoric. Americans weren't the only people killed in the WTC.

As I said, words are power. There are more important things to do now than what I'm doing, certainly. But our government is deciding how to react to these events as I type and I, for one, would just like to get my two cents in.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 1:55 PM on September 16, 2001

More power to you, TOC. Get your two cents in while you can.
posted by briank at 1:57 PM on September 16, 2001

i'd rather just place the UN Flag on my site.

thanks anyway tho.
posted by jcterminal at 2:17 PM on September 16, 2001

That ribbon is hideous. Also, there are already four different types of ribbons being used in New York: yellow for the firemen, and three variations of red-white-blue for everyone else.
posted by Mo Nickels at 2:26 PM on September 16, 2001

I like it. And I think it's a good idea. I can't believe people can be so angry over the fact that somebody created a ribbon, and posted it to a website.
posted by kevspace at 2:34 PM on September 16, 2001

I agree, Kevspace. If someone thinks it's a bad idea why not just ignore it? What compells someone to jump all over another who makes a simple gesture of unity? Shooting from the hip is a great way to blow off your toe.
posted by christophernaze at 3:29 PM on September 16, 2001

There are already so many ribbons for so many things that ribbons don't really mean anything.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:31 PM on September 16, 2001

[sigh]
posted by quonsar at 4:21 PM on September 16, 2001

What is it with you guys? Don't intentions matter any more? O.K., so it might look to some of us like a dodgy reggae album cover. So what?
Takenouttacontext's idea, his hard work and the concept behind his ribbon are surely welcome and laudable. Hey, he even tried to tweak the blue to accommodate the jingoists among us.(Even though it's still way too dark, TOC...)
Lighten up, all of you. Don't repress well-meaning and forward-looking initiatives such as this one.
This is something he posted here on MeFi, for our consideration, as a real contribution. Have a bit of respect, please.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 4:30 PM on September 16, 2001

The multi-coloured ribbon is an
excellent idea. It means a whole lot to
the people who lost someone dear
in the tragedy. It serves its purpose well.
posted by Kodel at 4:43 PM on September 16, 2001

things got really derailed in this thread after my post deriding what i thought was overdramatic language.

i did not intend to criticize Taken Outtacontext's motives, ideas, work, care, concern, patriotism, humanity or any other thing about him. i could have made the same comment in any of a dozen threads. my problem, as always, is that i did not make that clear. i just wanted to point to and criticize that sort of language.

[goes to window, eyes low-flying jet nervously]
posted by quonsar at 4:59 PM on September 16, 2001

the world trade center website has several ribbon icons that you may put on your website, if that's your thing.
posted by palegirl at 5:01 PM on September 16, 2001

I guess what I like about TOC's ribbons vs. the ones palegirl linked to is the multinational thing. this isn't just about america and americans...it can't be.

that said, I'm not a big fan of the ribbon thing in general. I don't like wearing my heart on my sleeve.
posted by epersonae at 9:05 PM on September 16, 2001

'There are already so many ribbons for so many things that ribbons don't really mean anything'

They mean something to those who choose to make and those who choose to display them, Kirk. That assures their validity and their mere presence alone is signal of their worth.

Ribbons are good ambassadors of a cause that mean something to those who post them. They sometimes come to mean something to those who click them too. They're largely based on respect. That's peoples hearts you see at the bottom of their pages. A ribbon shaped functional display of emotions; in this case: peoples visible declaration of respect and recognition for those who perished, their sorrow and unified compassion for the loved ones, their human need to bond with others who also feel strongly, to be or FEEL connected in some way, in any way, and their mournful desire to be or FEEL somehow useful.

If this ribbon helps its users or creator deal with what happened last week in ANY way whatsoever then why should it be questioned?. Ribbons are a bit too close to the souls of those who use them to be disrespected. Are some people incapable of realizing this stuff? Or are they just plain nasty and insensitive? wicked and cruel??

I really don't see the problem with the damn ribbon. Anyone who thinks there is one should be ashamed of themselves. Above and beyond anything, this thing is an alleyway to a location that contains links to information, one that offers to display it's communities unique WTC related links along with that info, one that would undoubtedly help many of the people who feel they'd like to use it, and, importantly, one that isn't commercialised in any way. It's a good idea and the creators hearts obviously in the right place. Whether i myself would use it or not is irrelevant.

Ribbons stand for a persons kinship to something, to anything, and -- unless a person's severely fucked up -- the WTC tragedy is as good a thing to 'ribbonize' as anything ever could be. So what if a few different ones exist - many things in this world are innovative and unique.. but some things just don't have to be.

'That ribbon is hideous'

No Mo: That statement is. You didn't even say what you thought was hideous about it, just that it was. Would you walk up to someone in the street and do that?
posted by Kino at 8:28 AM on September 22, 2001