Manic Media Monday September 12, 2011 – The Joy Trip Project

Manic Media Monday September 12, 2011 – The Joy Trip Project


I face the anniversary of the terror attacks on September 11, 2001with mixed emotions. But every year I find myself asking the same question I struggled with then on that beautiful late summer morning. What happens next?
Usually on September 12th I heave a sigh of relief, happy in the knowledge that no new acts of violence have set the world on edge. Thankfully this year is no different. But rather than go about my day in a common state of complacency I start to think not about how the world has changed, but rather what I can do to make a difference. It was the events on that day  ten years ago that I personally made several lifestyle and career changes that now allow me to work as a professional journalist. For me what happens next is to put into context the life and times of people who are actively working to improve the lives of others and protect our natural environment from destruction.
Leading the list of adventure media stories this week is the celebration of the Flight 93 Memorial. A site established by the National Park Service in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, this beautiful monument dedicated over the weekend recognizes the heroism of the passengers and crew who stormed the cockpit of their hijacked jetliner. Two planes had just crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. What happened next was these brave men and women on Flight 93 thwarted an attempt to crash their plane into the Capital Building in Washington D.C.
Perhaps because the greater tragedy was averted I think we loose sight of how significant their sacrifice truly was. When faced with the  prospect of being used as a weapon the 40 passengers on Flight 93 changed the course of the plane to cash with less damage and loss of life into distant farm field. They also changed their own destiny to becomes heroes instead of victims, saving the lives of thousands who might have died on the ground.  What should happen next even 10 years later is for each of us is ask ourselves what we can do in the service of others to save lives or at the very least improve the living conditions of those less fortunate than ourselves.
Not all expressions of adventure in art or athletics rise to the standard of supreme bravery. But they do require a great deal of courage and sacrifice. Here’s this week’s list of six adventure media stories worth following.
Terra Blight

http://www.mountainfilm.org/2011/09/07/2010-commitment-grant-recipient-update-terra-blight
 
Mountain Film in Telluride Commitment Grant recipient Isaac Brown offers a first look at his film Terra Blight. Hitting the film festival circuit in 2012, Brown tells the story of electronic waste in the global economy an its impact on the environment.

 
Dave Showalter ILCP photographer of the Month

http://www.ilcp.com/photographers/dave-showalter#
International league of conservation photographers profiles Colorado-base photojournalist Dave Showalter
 
 
 
 
 
New film from Wild Salmon Center

Not a great piece of movie-making, but this short film offers a look into the importance of wild salmon protection and preservation
http://www.wildsalmoncenter.org/press/ILCP_WSC_2.php

 
Solitaire premieres this week in Boulder
This long anticipated film from Sweetgrass Productions premieres this week in Boulder. Nick Wangoner’s vision of epic skiing through South America promises to be a breathtaking adventure.
http://www.sweetgrass-productions.com/solitaire.html

SOLITAIRE: A Backcountry Skiing, Snowboarding, and Telemark Film from Sweetgrass Productions on Vimeo.
 
Dean Karnazes speaks in Madison


The North Face Speakers Series kicks off this week with ultra distance runner Dean Karnazes who will speak in Madison, WI on Thursday September 15th. In anticipation of this talk The Joy Trip Project podcast this week features a flash back interview with Dean from 2007 that recounts the Endurance 50, an event during which he ran 50 marathons in 50 States in 50 consecutive days. I spoke to Dean as well as several people whom he inspired along his incredible journey.
 
 
 
 
Have some adventure media to share? Drop us a note with your suggestions for our next Manic Media Monday info@joytripproject.com ~ JEM