(I’m not just saying this because I got lost in those electric blue eyes.)
I really enjoyed Dispatches from the Edge, by Anderson Cooper (I listened to it on audiobook; it was read by the author). He talks about traveling to war zones in the early 1990s without the safety of an employer’s assignment—he just knew it was what he wanted to do, and where he wanted to be. He describes things he’s seen: dead bodies, starving children, a man getting his leg amputated. He was in Rwanda during the genocide. He covered the aftermath of the tsunami in early 2005, and the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.
One of the things he said that really got to me: he used to think that his reporting might spur viewers into action. After all, he reasoned, how could people sit by and do nothing after seeing the plight of others in such awful circumstances? He continues to report, but he doesn’t have that same idealism anymore.
He said that when he covered Hurricane Katrina, the most upsetting thing was the lack of response. He’s been to many countries with corrupt and inept governments, but he always assumed that if something bad happened in the U.S. there would be a swift and all-encompassing response. It was devastating to him that what he witnessed in other countries could happen here just as easily.
He wasn’t afraid to admit that after seeing so much destruction and suffering, he started to take it for granted. I think it’s a natural defense mechanism—a person has to do that, in order to survive. How could you do your job if you were in a constant state of grief and shock? I admire his honesty.
Anderson’s show on CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, has a blog. A lot of the posts are written by correspondents and producers, but he posts on there, too. His latest says that he’s leaving the country to prepare for a series of reports in southeast Asia:
For years, I never got shots when I traveled. I figured it wasn’t worth the hassle. Considering my cameraman Neil was hospitalized after our recent Brazil trip (he’d been bitten by a spider according to one doctor) and my other cameraman Phil had some bug lay eggs inside him, I’ve decided to get all the shots I can, and I’ve promised myself I will actually take my malaria medicine with me this time.
I also spent some time watching the short video clips in his Reporter’s Notebook, from various locations where he’s done reports.
[Tags: Anderson Cooper, Anderson Cooper 360, Dispatches from the Edge, Hurricane Katrina]
6 Comments
When I see stories like “This woman and her child will both die unless they get medical attention and food,” I always wonder if the news crew gave them money or got them care after they taped the segment. I know you aren’t supposed to interfere with a situation you’re reporting on, but it seems much more ethical to prevent a death when it’s in your power.
I see things that are wrong on the other side of the world, or here in the US, but don’t ever believe that I can do a thing to help. I don’t know why I feel defeated before I ever start, but I have to wonder if it’s because I see so much suffering on tv news that I can’t even fathom where to begin. And because I don’t entirely trust the organizations that are supposedly helping the victims.
Told ya you’d like it
I just bought this book and plan on reading it this summer for a non-fiction challenge. This is the first review I’ve read in blog world. I’m glad to see others like the book.
Hi! Came this way via Little Miss Moi…had to comment on Anderson Cooper…and I thought I was the only one who thought he was cute…and he does good things too..Who knew?
This books is sitting on my TBR shelf. I love Anderson Cooper, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy the book.