One Year Anniversary of The Subjective Observer
Today marks the one year anniversary of The Subjective Observer. I am re-sharing my first published essay, “20 Days in Mariupol.” At the time I had about five subscribers, so many of you might not have read this piece. The documentary focuses on the early days of the war in Ukraine, but I think it is still essential viewing to understand the war. My article examines the documentary in the context of Susan Sontag’s book-length essay Regarding the Pain of Others, which asks important ethical questions about war photography.
The world has radically changed since my article was published in March 2024. A year ago military funding for Ukraine was being threatened by Republicans in Congress, but it was passed at the last minute. Today the situation is extremely dire. President Trump has openly voiced support for Vladimir Putin and called President Zelensky a dictator. US military support and intelligence was stopped.1
What hasn’t changed is the urgency to stay informed and to turn knowledge into action. Democracies across the globe are being threatened by misinformation. As my article explains, thoughtful narratives are struggling to compete against ruthless algorithms that favor fast and easy consumption. I greatly appreciate my readers who have taken the time to watch and reflect on the documentaries I’ve recommended. I strongly believe documentaries like 20 Days in Mariupol can have a powerful impact on the world, if only people would take the time to watch.
Thank you for your continued support and readership.
On March 11, 2025, after this article was originally published, the US announced it would reinstate support military support because Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-us-saudi-cease-fire-talks.html