Tomorrow is October 3rd, which is why I'm publishing the following email today.
----- Original Message -----
From: Natasha Dantzig
To: Jakartass
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 8:37 PM
Subject: James Nachtwey Breaks Story October 3
Hello,
This is Natasha Dantzig for the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference.
I'm writing to ask for your for your help in breaking a major global news story on Friday, October 3rd.
This is an important story that has been documented over the last two years by renowned photojournalist James Nachtwey. In 2007, Nachtwey won the TED Prize, an initiative of the TED Conference, which grants three extraordinary individuals one wish to change the world. Winners are given one hundred thousand dollars in seed money, and individuals within the TED community and the world at large participate in making the wish come true.
Nachtwey wished for help in breaking a news story in a way that demonstrates the power of news photography in the digital age. On October 3, Nachtwey's work will be simultaneously revealed online, disseminated through numerous media channels, and projected on monuments and public buildings throughout the world.
This link contains Nachtwey's TEDTalk and other information related to Nachtwey's wish: it
We're reaching out to individual journalists, bloggers, and publications around the world with the hope that you'll help us get the word out by posting these items on your site in advance of October 3, and writing about Nachtwey's upcoming reveal.
Thanks in advance for your consideration, and please don't hesitate to get in touch with me directly with any questions.
Best,
Natasha Dantzig
.............................
James Nachtwey is world renowned for documenting a variety of armed conflicts and social issues, spending time in South Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union shooting pictures of war, conflict and famine, and images of socio-political issues (pollution, crime and punishment) in Western Europe and the United States.
He was present at the collapse of the second tower of the World Trade Center on September 11th 2001.
As I was photographing the destruction of the first tower, the second tower fell and I was standing right under it, literally right under it. Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for people on the west side it listed to the west. But I was still underneath this avalanche of falling debris, of structural steel, the aluminum siding of the building, glass; tons of material were falling directly down on to me. I realized that I had a few seconds to find cover or else I’d be killed.
He was one of three winners of the 2007 TED Prize. Each recipient was granted $100,000 and one "world-changing wish". Nachtwey's wish, revealed March 8, 2007, is this: "I'm working on a story that the world needs to know about. I wish for you to help me break it in a way that provides spectacular proof of the power of news photography in the digital age."
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then photojournalists can change the world.
Click on the link.
.................................................
Update 4th October
James Nachtwey's project is "Creating awareness of extremely drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)".
The link is to this site which claims "We Are The Treatment."
That's as maybe but I can't tell you anymore because the site is top-heavy with flash and downloadable .pdf files which, given the oft-mentioned appalling internet connectivity here, means that those most concerned with the spread of this resurgent deadly disease don't have ease of access to what is probably much-needed information.
I can only spread the word.
I don't blame J.N., but rather the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference (TED) who funded him. They should surely be aware that raising awareness through visuals and technology alone is of no value to the blind or those surviving on bare necessities.
