Overall, the research process gave me a chance to look more closely at seemingly minor details – such things as word choice and diction. In doing so, I came to appreciate the subtlety with which ideas and sentiments can be expressed. Investigating the Iranian (and the later Lebanese) hostage crises also made me realize the ways in which greater societal shifts can occur – shifts such as the rise of new media frames which in turn reflect changes in the mentality of the populace as a whole. And, finally, these two events proved to me the power of words, the strength of rhetoric, and the polarizing effect that ethnic, religious, political, and economic differences can have.

All of which ultimately made me think of:

The disasters may not have been pleasant, and their origins stemming from societal differences is an ugly scar on our global history. But here’s to hoping that, moving into the future, we can overcome such differences to become a more tolerant, understanding global community.