Even MIT Hacks Get into the 9/11 Act

After focusing on September 11 and the primaries, we're a little late to this, but it's still worth sharing: MIT students paid tribute to September 11 by putting a fake fire truck on school's the 150 foot dome. Check out this WNBC slideshow, which says, "A student Web site said the fire engine was placed in memory of the attacks. The phrase 'meminimus,' Latin for 'we remember,' was painted on the truck's side. Inflatable dalmatians rode on the ladder truck," and usually MIT students leave detailed instructions on how to remove the objects. Those MIT kids are so thoughtful, though we can't tell what the reaction of September 11 victims' families would think (trite or tribute?).

Here's the official gallery of photographs from MIT's Hack Gallery.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 13, 2006 12:08 PM

Comments [rss]

Alex

You are using the word "trite" improperly.

rushmore

Please, let them be.

Like the 9/11 whiners know Latin. I bet some smart aleck will now post that he does.

OK, that's ONE. Now go take a poll.

just saying

Just exactly where is there any disrespect in putting a fake fire truck on MIT's dome?

However, politicians manipulating the anniversary of 9/11 to make political points for themselves--I would say that's disrespectful.

coneykooky

This is an annual prank. MIT students have been putting things in weird places for years. It probably has nothing to do with 9/11 but they likely nodded to it as a gesture.

nick

but seriously - i do sometimes find myself wondering "what the reaction of September 11 victims' families would think."

i often ask my friend "the reaction of september 11 victims' families" for his opinion on stuff...it's always good to know what he thinks.

nick

fact-checking? what do you think this is... a newspaper? this is a blog, square! all journalistic rules and standards don't apply here, nerd!

Jen

Hmm, from another account we read, the way the article was presented, it seemed like the 15 page instructions were left at this scene, too.

Sorry!

sue

Does Gothamist even read what it reports on or does it do a quick skim?

From WNBC:

"In 1996, the dome was dressed up as a red-and-white beanie with a blue propeller. MIT police received a 15-page report describing how to remove it."

I think, then, that the 15-page report referred was from the '96 prank, although I'm sure similar directions were left this time around.

Please give the basic appearance of fact-checking!