Congratulations to all the winners of the Pulitzer yesterday, which, given the state of print media, is a little like being handed a lollipop on the deck of the Titanic. But still, a fine honor.
I was particularly glad to see Gene Weingarten’s devastating Washington Post Magazine piece on hyperthermia–babies who die when their parents leave them in locked cars. I read it when it came out over a year ago, and I just reread it today. I had the exact same stomach-twisting reaction to the stories in the piece. But it’s not the omg factor that makes it good journalism; it’s Weingarten’s instinct to dissect these somewhat unthinkable tragedies and explain their legal, psychological and moral components. Stunning.
I found Weingarten’s piece unreadable—in an absolutely literal way. I couldn’t click past the first page I was so traumatized. I think I was shaking.
Maybe it was jetlag.
I was actually able to get through it without being too traumatized. I think that’s to Gene’s credit that he was as sensitive as possible. I have lots of phobias and fears with my kids, but somehow leaving them locked in a car isn’t one of them. Not that I think I’m immune from such a horrible accident, but it isn’t a real in my greatest hits of parental nightmares.
yep, still can’t read it. tried again. i’m with matt on this one.