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Pierre François D.'s avatar

Now, this might call for a new type of reaction button, something that would say "this is an interesting post that i recommend reading", because here it feels a bit weird to click on a red heart...

More seriously: Thank you, this is a very interesting article. I once read more about the context of the "Saigon execution" picture (in short, the prisonner had been directly responsible for heinous and murderous acts just a few hours before being arrested, which may explain (not justify) the act of the general). And this 'spontaneous' execution is different from the other pictures you show, where there has been some sort of judicial decision - but then, one might also question the fairness of tribunals, especially in contexts of war. What strikes me is that they are all cases where pictures are clearly not enough: we need a detailed and balanced account in order to understand the events. And yet, for all their limitations, photographs are such a powerful language.

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Bruno Ramos's avatar

Phenomenal and fascinating post. Thanks, Patrick.

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