TAL Vox Assignment: Who Can You Save?
This Week's Assignment:
Tell us your stories about wanting to be the hero, trying to be the hero, and what happens next.
Here's our take on it:
This American Life, Episode #336: Who Can You Save?
When the U.S. government sent out the call for everyday civilians to go to Iraq and help rebuild the country, Randy Frescoln volunteered, believing he was just the man for the job. But after three months abroad, he changes his mind. Plus, a study on how our brains make moral decisions. And, when a shady stranger asks for his help, Brady Udall can't say no—even though he's pretty sure it's a terrible idea. Broadcasts July 6-8 on This American Life.
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This American Life® Group (host) Updated: Nov 1, 2009
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Comments
When I heard the title of this week's episode, I started to think up all the songs that had to do with saving somebody. Aimee Mann's "Save Me" was the first to pop into my head.
Although the episode talks about things that we try to save to make ourselves feel better from a moral standpoint, Aimee's lyrics are more of a challenge to save a lost cause. This challenge resonated most during the US volunteers segment. They went to help because they felt a moral obligation. However, when they got there, it seemed the Iraqis didn't care whether they lived or died trying to help.
Is it worth trying to save someone or something that does not want to, or cannot be saved?