This week was Litfest, and I was lucky enough to go see 4 wonderful writers preform Thursday Night, at the Northfield Campus. The last speaker, Davy Rothbart, is the head of an organization called "Found Magazine." Basically they tell people to send in letters they find in unique places. One story he shared with us was about a letter found in a cemetery, hanging from a balloon that got caught in at tree. A lady climbed the tree, retrieved the letter, and sent it to Found. The letter was written by a recently suicidal boy to his dead mother. He wrote about this girl he thought he loved, and how he missed his mom so much. It was truly a touching and heartwarming story.
Yet, after I hearing this story, I was a little irritated. That letter wasn't for my eyes to read. Nor to be posted online for millions of viewers to see. Although it is extremely touching, and it did have a huge affect on me, I still believe that some things should remain confidential. Especially something as personal as that.
Although one may get a few laughs or tears from the letters sent it, I still am against the organization. Not in a strongly-rooted anti-Found way. Rather, I believe that they should censor the letters they receive. I felt weird and wrong hearing this letter....because it wasn't written to me. Maybe that balloon was meant for heaven...? Not for "Found."
Sarah, while I understand where you are coming from and how sometimes things are meant only for certain people's eyes, I have to say that I am not against Found. I think that the things that they publish in their magazines and books are a "true" representation of society today because they aren't edited and scrutinized, they are the pure thoughts of average people. I think Kristin explained it really well in her post if what I'm saying isn't clear, you should look at it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both you and Carolyn. I am not against Found, but I was also angry when they published that letter. I think what bothered me most was that it wasn't meant for anyones eyes, and the person that "found" the note climbed up the try to retrieve the note. I thought the whole purpose of the magazine was to come across a random letters, notes, or even warning signs. I agree with you in how they should censor the letters. Not everything they find should be published where thousands of people can read them. I know if I wrote something that personal I wouldn't want others reading it.
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