Dear S11
I will like you to watch both videos carefully. When you are ready, I invite you to comment on your reactions to these videos, taking into consideration these points:
- What is the purpose of these videos?
- What assumptions / implications are made by these videos?
- What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
- Is raising awareness enough?
Please leave your comments by Sunday 19 April 2009
A Day in the Life of Kaisong
Teenage Affluenza
Best wishes
Mr Low
Personally, i feel that the purpose of the two videos is to persuade people to make monetary contributions to the 40-hour famine campaign. This is done by stirring up people's emotions through the depiction of the stark contrast in living conditions between poverty struck countries (eg. Africa)and more affluent countries (eg. USA).
ReplyDeleteThe assumption made in the second video is that all teenagers are unsatisfied with what they have and are constantly demanding for more. They are simply oblivious to how fortunate they are. This is clearly seen in the aptly named title "teenage affluenza".
Thus, it implies that teenagers are like the scumbs of the society. They do not make any contributions to it but feed on their parents' income for self-gratification, as potrayed in video 2. Worse so, they are not grateful for the iPods, cereal, toothbrush, clean drinking water and sanitation they have. Clearly, after watching the tragic and spartan lifestyle of Kaisong, you will feel like slapping awake the girl in the second video. but hey wait, don't you find some resemblences of yourself in her?
Beside raising awareness about poverty, the mass media could perhaps provide a more transparent account of how the people's monetary contribution will directly benefit the victims living in poverty stricken countries. More often than not, massive sum of aid money is diverted to fund armies or develope large scale projects instead of small-scale ones that could benefit the people in the poor countries. Take for example, Ghana, which built a two-lane highway, but has no supporting roads throughout the country, in addition to the small number of vehicles. If the MM is willing and able to expose the underhand methods of these organisation, perhaps these organisations in question will clean up their act and truly help these poor countries to eradicate poverty.
(OMGOSH I TYPED FOR SO LONG AND MY COMPUTER HANGED. lol i am retyping now AHH okay random:X )
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the purpose of the videos is plainly to encourage the general public to sympathize with the situations of these people living in poverty, thereafter persuading them to provide financial aid by participating in the 40hour famine.
The assumption made in both the first and second video is that people, after watching the videos, would be willing to give their help by joining the 40hour famine project. Another assumption made in the second video is that all teenagers are discontented with their lives when their lives are already so much better compared to these poor people in Laos, etc.
The implication is that teenagers are consistently acting as 'parasites', leeching off their parents or families in terms of wanting more money or materialistic objects. I feel that this is so true, and it applies to me as well. Despite the deep sympathy i have for the people living in poverty in the various countries, i cannot think of any situation whereby i am happy with something i own and not want anything better. This simply shows that we cannot fathom the fact that we are very fortunate, and accept what we have. To this, i am guilty and regretful.
Other than raising awareness, i think more programs/groups can be organised to bring youths or adults to the countries(areas in poverty) and provide humanitarian aid. Also, as Liying has mentioned, i feel that the media should actually show the public where and how their donations(monetary, etc) is channelled to help out the people directly. By showing that their lives have indeed improved, people would feel satisfied and not only that, more people would donate generously.
Personally, raising awareness is important, as it is the first step to take in eradicating poverty. However, it is not enough. Raising awareness simply indicates and educates the public about the problem of poverty, thereafter generating concerns as such. But it does not bring about practical use because one will only learn about the issue, and not how they are able or supposed to lend a helping hand. Thus, i believe that more realistic measures must be taken so that the process of eradicating poverty can be carried out.
:S
1. What is the purpose of these videos?
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of these videos is to induce people around the globe to help in whatever ways they can. If we can afford to donate, donate. If not, put in effort which can help the poor immensely so as to eradicate poverty.
2. What assumptions / implications are made by these videos?
Especially in video 2, it assumes that the teens there know about poverty that's happening around the world and yet still complaining. Thus comparing them with the poor in Laos. Therefore, further implying that teens are not appreciating what they had that others don't. Yet, they still just know how to want, but never ever think of contributing back to their own household. Hmm, sound familiar right...
3. What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
In addition, MM can also help to advertise and organize overseas programs for locals to lend a helping hands for the poor. For example, building schools to create education for people there and etc. So that it will not just help them just for one day through donations to buy food for them(giving them a fish to feed them just for one day) but educate them e.g. how to fish and from then they can feed themselves forever.
4. Is raising awareness enough?
No. World leaders must also make commitments to solve the problems of people condemning to a life of extreme and egregious poverty. Hence, the great influences that they make will then eradicate this problem effectively in the long run.
i hope i am not typing nonsense..
1)What is the purpose of these videos?
ReplyDeleteThe purpose is to show people in countries such as Australia how fortunate they are compared to people in countries such as Laos.
Also it is trying to tell people around the world to donate money and to help the poor. For example,helping the poor by joining the famine camp.
2)What assumptions / implications are made by these videos?
The assumption is that everyone will help the poor upon watching the videos.Also that teenagers in countries such as Australia are not happy with what they have
The implication is that the teenagers are spoilt
3)What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
The media can organise more activities and projects to help the poor. In addition, it also can raise more awareness of the situation by showing more advertisements.
4)Is raising awareness enough?
No!It is not enough.The countries should also take efficient measures/steps to help the poor.The poor countries must also be willing to help themselves.Most importantly, everyone in the world must play their part in helping to eradicate the poverty.This can be done by joining organisations and donating money.
hello humans :)
ReplyDelete1st video on Kaisong: Its so sad, almost bringing tears to my eyes(I know I may sound sarcastic, but I'm not ok!). Yes many of us are aware that poverty exists among us, but we fail to really understand how poverty-stricken people struggle to live each day. This video certainly did a great job in opening our eyes. This video assumes that people are not that bothered/concerned about things/people whom do not concern them. I got to admit, this is a fact among many. It is a shame that we have to resort to such videos, which beg us for help, before we actually embark on a mission to help the less fortunate.
2nd video: I feel like slapping the girl in the video. (pardon my anger, Mr Low). Yes, it is true that all of us complain here and there about things we do not have. It is human nature I guess? But the girl in the video makes her life seem soooo miserable, when it is clearly not. She has exaggerated way too much. She has a life of a normal middle-income student, but makes it seem as if she is being poorly treated. I mean come on, she has an iPod(which even I do not have)..so I do not see she is being poorly treated. There is only one word to describe her : PAMPERED. She complains when she has to carry groceries from the car to her house. She is driven right to the driveway, and only has to take a few steps before reaching the kitchen, and yet she complains. What about the thousands of us who have to carry heavy groceries from say, NTUC, all the way back to our HDB flats which is not even on the ground floor? I do that all the time, but you don't see me complaining. I've been doing it for years and hence its part of like a routine. However, the girl probably has her parents to carry the groceries all the time, hence when she is asked to carry the groceries on certain days, she makes a big fuss about it. This kind of reflects on her upbringing as well, but thats a whole different story, and we shall not go there.[Mr Low, you must be so proud of me for not going out of point *wink* ]
We cannot leave everything to the mass media. Media cannot be entirely blamed if the required amount of awareness is not raised. It is up to each and every one to play their part. One can make millions of such videos, but if people choose to remain thick-skinned and self-centered, then I guess nothing can be done there. We cannot possibly point a dagger at everyone's throats and force them to do something for the less fortunate, now can we?
However, for the 40-hr famine camp, I feel that schools should make it compulsory for every student to attend the camp once a year. (I know many of you may be cursing me in ur hearts right now...lol.)But come on, it is just 40 hrs of an entire yr of 365 days...and _____ hours(hehe you do the maths urself, lazy bums). This way, compassion can start from a young age...and will follow us through our lives.
Ta dahh...and with that I end my speech :)Thank you :) haha
what is the purpose of the video?
ReplyDeletethe purpose of the video is to convince and persuade people to join the 40 hour campaign.its main aim is to help the people in poverty especially for people like kaisong by improving their standards of living.also,the second video which depicts teenagers nowadays in a bad light,wishes to let the audience to see how comfortable our lives are,how ungrateful we are as compared to the people who lives in extreme poverty.
2. What assumptions / implications are made by these videos?
the second video assumes that all teeangers are like the girl who does nt tresure what she owns and grumbles about everything and anything.
it imples that teenagers does nt treasure what we have.
3)What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
raising awareness is insufficient without any actions involved.the media can perhaps collaaborate with charity organisation-phone calls to donate money is the most direct way to contribute.
4) is raising awareness enough?
it is definitely not enough.mnay people have perhaps understood or sympathise the people living in poverty,but dont know how they can help to alleviate it.
Purpose:
ReplyDeleteI think that the main motive of the videos is to appeal for financial help and contributions. The need for the two videos, I think, is so as to contrast the two, and highlight the striking differences between the two situations.
Many might view the videos as another means of cheating them of their hard-earned money, and this links to the assumptions. The first video gives rise to the assumptions that the public that they are addressing, have never experienced poverty before. Hence leading to the second assumptions that everyone of the public is more well of than the people living in Laos. Lastly, it is assumed that all people living in Laos are alike to Kai Song. The second videos, on the other hand, assume that all modern teenagers are similar to the teenager in the second video, and is that spoiled. ( I know of people still without I pods, and yet I do not hear them uttering any words of complain)
Implications:
The implications of the videos are that the girl in the second video is spoiled; hence I personally feel that it is an accurate reflection of teenagers wealthier than Kai Song.
What else can the mass media do besides raising awareness?
The mass media instead of plainly raising awareness should actually provide the public with ideas to help out. If the public is just presented with the knowledge that there are less fortunate people like Kai Song, they would just feel sympathy, yet, they would entirely know what to do to help. Hence, by providing the public wit ideas on how to help out, at least the public would have a solace to vent their sympathy, rather than just “know” about it.
Is raising awareness enough:
Advertising is not enough. Yet it is not a 100% that the mass media will present enough information. Hence, charitable organizations should directly keep in touch with schools, and firms. Through these ways, it is sure that any information would not be spread inappropriately.
Furthermore, I feel that the government should also take up measures to help out, instead of leaving it all to the mass media.
sorry if its bad:)haha
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of the two videos is to show the stark contrast of living conditions and attitudes between first world countries like Australia and third world countries like Laos. This is meant to appeal to the sympathy of the audience in order to promote the "40 Hour Famine", where the funds can help out the poor living in desperate conditions.
ReplyDeleteThe assumptions made are that all teenagers are suffering from "teenage affluenza", a term aptly named for the teenagers who are disgustingly incognizant of the good fortune they have in their lives.
Hence, the implications are that teenagers living in first world countries need to be educated and made aware of the dire situation in third world countries in order for them to truly appreciate their lifestyles.
The mass media can do little besides raising awareness, but there is no significant effort to do so. If events like these were well known and frequently broadcasted on national or global television, the impact would be much higher. Yet if not for consistent reminders to do this assignment, with serious repercussions, none of us would have been made aware of this fact. This goes to show how small their target audience was in the first place if they were counting on simply word of mouth to disseminate information. Therefore I believe that more effort should be put into the raising of awareness first, before progression on to bigger things like education via the mass media.
Sadly, raising awareness is merely a small fraction of what needs to be done. Firstly, intergovernmental organizations like the UN should take concrete actions in solving the roots of the problem rather than simply the surface problems. For instance, greater funds could be pooled to provide basic education, better housing and shelter, and the technology and knowledge to increase their farming productivity, instead of simply providing rations. This would solve the problem in the long run if there was enough political willpower to get it moving.
Unfortunately, the possibility of this happening is extremely small due to the large amounts of funding that would be required, and the reluctance of countries to spend money on others without gaining something from it.
Nevertheless, we can still do our best to educate the people around us about the dismal living conditions in these places in order to prevent affluence. Hopefully, this will result in an increase in volunteers to the poorer nations around the world.
* * * * *
wah lao, what a depressing topic to argue la... next time something more cheerful thanks.
The purpose of the video is to reach out to the public to participate in the 40 hour famine campaign. Through this, the public be able to raise monetary donations and contributions to these people in need of help. Also, they will be able to experience what it feels like to be suffering from starvation.
ReplyDeleteAn assumption made would be that teens nowadays are still not contented with what they have. They constantly demand for more and better things even when their basic needs are already met. This has turned into a vicious cycle. It can be seen clearly from the distinct contradiction between two different lifestyles in the second video.
This implies that teenagers in well-off families/ countries do not reflect on what they already have and be satisfied with their own well-being. They have this mindset that what they have currently is what they SHOULD have and hence, request for more materialistic things. These wants are insatiable. We should reflect upon ourselves that we are very fortunate to have a roof over our heads, clean water and food.
Raising awareness may not be the only step to relieve poverty. Everywhere we go, just by raising awareness is not practical. The government of these countries suffering from poverty is most likely portrayed as incapable or corrupted. The UN should lend a helping hand by raising funds from other countries to help those in need and making sure this help reaches into the hand of the people in need and not into the government’s hand. For example, help did not reach the people in Myanmar. Instead, it landed into the government’s hand. At society level, the mass media can extend its far reaching abilities by encouraging people to be a volunteer. If the mass media reveal the truth of corruption instead of censoring them, the people in need may someday be eradicated of poverty.
VIDEO ONE! ^^
ReplyDeletePURPOSE:
to persuade people to empathise with the poor and do what we can to help them with monetary contribution and participate in famine camps.
ASSUMPTION(s):
1.Everyone has the ability to help them when WE ourselves might be facing financial difficulties.
2.There is no aid given to the poor AT ALL in the past.
3.Everyone have the leisure time to take part in the famine camp.
IMPLICATION:
People will have a better understanding about the poverty conditions in Laos.
VIDEO TWO!^^
PURPOSE:
To highlight the disparity in lifestyles and attitudes between the rich and the poor.
ASSUMPTION(s):
1.Every teenager in Australia is as well-off as those shown in the video.
2. There are no rich in those poor countries.
IMPLICATION:
There will be an increasing number of affluent teenagers who will not appreciate their current standard of living.
WHAT ELSE CAN THE MASS MEDIA DO?
Although the media has been used to raise awareness of the problem of poverty and its potentially devastating effects, unfortunately, people are getting “immune” to such messages. However, since the mass media is wielding a great power of influence over people in today’s society, it should still be encouraging people to engage in poverty issues. It should be done through ways like making it a "fashionable" thing that will interest masses in participating.
IS RAISING AWARENESS ENOUGH?
Raising awareness is simple not enough! Show, not tell. People should't be only doing lipservice but get down to real actions. Otherwise, it would just be irony for them to spread messages about poverty and not doing any realistic practical actions. Furthermore, the number of people who is making contribtions are declining. For instance, the Band Aid project, where a number of top music stars recorded songs to raise the massive awareness of problems in Africa, has seen decreasing donations from $33 per person in the 1980s to $19 per person today. This shows that people are getting making lesser contributions and by raising awareness alone, is definitely not suffice.
^^V
Purpose:
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of both videos is to encourage and urge people who are more fortunate to give to the less fortunate. The videos ask of their viewers to redefine the meaning if poverty and appreciate what they have. Therefore, the more fortunate should help those who are much less fortunate than them by joining the 40hour famine.
Assumptions:
Both videos assume that both families shown in the videos are the poorest amongst their country.
Also, the second video assumes that teens who are considered ‘poor’ in Australia are dissatisfied with what they currently have.
Implications:
It implies that teenagers fail to appreciate what they already have.
It also implies that we need money to be happy.
What else can mass media do?
The mass media could organize charity drives and use its power to reach out to its audience to encourage them to support their projects to donate money to the poor?
They can set an example. Like maybe sponsor agricultural growth in a village kinda thing.
‘Buy a set of newspaper and donate 10 cents to charity.’ Kinda thing.
Is raising awareness enough?
Personally, I think raising awareness is the first and most important step to let the public know about poverty in other countries. It is the fastest way to get the message across through the mass media because so many of us rely on the mass media for information. Only when we have a sense of what is happening to people in other parts of the world, will we take actions to help them.
However, raising awareness is definitely not enough. People can know about poverty in other parts of the world but may choose not to do anything to help. If they remain indifferent, the poor people are not going to get any help. Therefore, raising awareness by the mass media is crucial but is not a practical way to get rid of poverty. There must be actual human efforts put into effectively stamp out poverty.
Personally, I feel that the main purpose of the two videos is to promote the '40 hour famine' so as to appeal to people to contribute generously to aid those needy people. They do this by showing the contrast between the people living in poverty and the people living in country which is generally quite well-off but take everything for granted. For example, in the first video, it depicts the lead character, Kaisong, living in extreme poverty and having to undergo hardships which none of us here can ever imagine. In the second video, it talks about teenage affluenza in countries such as Australia where teenagers take things for granted and do not appreciate the things they have hence always demanding for more. Therefore, by showing this stark contrast, it will encourage people to sympathize with the needy people such as Kaisong and donate generously.
ReplyDeleteThe assumption made in the first video is that all the people living in the third world countries like Laos are not contented with what they have and require the donations of people through the ’40 hour famine’. Its implication is that people should donate more to help them. On the other hand, the assumption made in the second video is somewhat similar to the first, which assumes that teenagers living in the wealthier countries like Australia are always not contented with what they have and demand for more. It implies that teenagers living there are rather spoiled and affected by the teenage affluenza.
Except for raising awareness, the mass media can perhaps be more realistic and encourage people to donate generously. Also, just by raising awareness is simply inadequate to help those people in need as being practical is more important. Most importantly, it is to break the vicious cycle of poverty.
The purpose of these 2 videos would be to instill a sense of sympathy in us, so as we may go for the 40 hour famine camp to help others that are living in poverty.
ReplyDeleteThe assumptions from the first video would be that poverty can be eradicated.The implication is that people in Laos will be saved by our efforts of going to the famine camp
The assumptions for thhe second video would be everyone in the developed society does not understand poverty.The implication is that modern society( developed countries) people are self centered as they do not understand others needs.
i feel that raising awareness can only bring about a certain effect around and it may not be the best answer in to the problem and solutions of campaigns, what the media can do is to show evidence of how others can help in different campaign that can.The media can also help by showing people different other documentaries on how organization have help in the different events on getting rid of poverty.
Overall i feel that raising awareness is not enough
FIRST VIDEO:
ReplyDeleteWhat is the purpose of the video?
To garner the support of the general public on the 40hour Famine. It does so by trying to make the viewer sympathise with Kaisong. The support it wants to garner is probably in the form of financial aid.
What assumptions / implications are made by the video?
The assumption made is that all the people in such developing countries are just as underprivileged.
SECOND VIDEO:
What is the purpose of the video?
To show how privileged teenagers in developed countries are. These teenagers possess so many things that are considered a luxury in developing countries. However, they do not know how to appreciate what they have.
What assumptions / implications are made by the video?
The assumption made is that all teenagers in developed and privileged countries are just as spolit as the two teenagers who are used as the case studies.
What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
The ideas the mass media use are always the same old ones. Hence, it should come up with newer and more innovative ideas that will make the general public want to be involved in their bid to help the poverty situation the world experiences. These activities or events that the mass media may organise have to attract people of all ages.
Is raising awareness enough?
Raising awareness is one thing, but actually doing something to help the poverty situation is another. What matters most is that people take action. The mass media has to ensure that the people who support their cause do something productive. For example, financial support. With the increased amount of donated funds, non-profit organisations will then have more to work with to improve the poverty situation.
What is the purpose of these videos?
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of this video is to urge people to make contributions and do what they can to help those poor people. And this can be done so by joining the 40hours famine camp which they are promoting. From this, normal people like us will experience how is it like to go without food for days.
The purpose of the second video is to convince us, teenagers, that our lives are so much better compared to Kaisong or those who are in the same situation as her and urge us to treasure the lifestyle we had instead of complaining.
The assumptions made in the videos are that all teenagers are not satisfied with their lives and are constantly demanding for more.
The mass media can think of something creative instead of those common charity programs that requires people to call in and donate. They can also urge restaurants or organization to do a part using their power. ( such as if restaurants are willing to conduct charity drives, they will give them free advertisement or etc. )
So now, how can other organizations other than media help ?
For example, Swensens. They are having this if you buy this rainbow ice-cream which cost around $7, $1 of it will go to this i-forget-what charity drive to help poor children.
( if I remember correctly, this should be the case )
Is raising awareness enough ?
Raising awareness is definitely not enough but that’s the maximum the media could do. Schools or individuals should try to do what they can to help and encourage people/ students to take actions.
hi people!
ReplyDeleteKaisong is so cute! super poor thing lah she.. she's only like 7 years old and she's so much more sensible than any of the teenagers we know in sg(including me). i feel so ashamed pls.
anyway, for the first video:
purpose:
- to highlight the seriousness of poverty in developing countries eg Laos and to persuade people to participate in the 40-hour famine camp.
assumption:
- many are still clueless about the type of life that people in less developed countries are living in (which is pretty true) and that once they have seen the video, they will help fight poverty by joining the camp.
- videos like such can help increase the number of people joining the camp.
implication: - that teenagers should join the camp in order to understand poverty better.
the second video really upsets me because it is really a sad fact that teenagers in DCs today are really spoilt while there are soooo many many many who are stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty today. u see the difference?
purpose:
- to highlight the difference in the lifestyles and living conditions that people in DCs and LDCs are living in today.
- to convince teenagers in DCs eg australia to treasure what they have.
assumptions:
- all teenagers in DCs take things for granted, some to the extent of being spoilt.
implications
- there is a need for parents to stop spoonfeeding their children so that they will come to understand how important it is to appreciate what they have.
it is definitely not enough to just raise awareness. raising awareness is just a short-term solution. take for example, the first video showing the story of Kaisong. many of us probably sympathise her and feel ashamed of ourselves after watching the video. what happens tomorrow? will we still remember the impact the video had on us? will we really stop complaining and go reflect on our attitudes? will we give up materialism?
hence, raising awareness is a futile effort if there are no further follow-up actions by the mass media to deal with issue. thus, if the mass media really want to increase awareness, they should do it on a consistent and large basis, not just campaign every once in a year like this famine camp.
there is also a need to educate teenagers since young on the importance of treasuring what they have. this can be done by parents or the teachers in lessons such as civics moral education (in sg context). i mean, what's the point of learning all the math and science stuff when values like compassion are more important? but at the end of the day, how many of us will really listen and reflect still?
pardon all my short forms and small letters pls. =p
The purpose of the videos should be to evoke sympathy among the viewers. Therefore, to urge people to donate more for the 40-hour famine.
ReplyDeleteThe second video's purpose should be to HIGHLIGHT to us the vast differences of children from different coutries. Through they might be of the same age, they suffer from very different fates. Through these, it also tells us how naive and pampered they are.
The video also implies that parents should give their children greater exposure and not always give in to their children.
The assumptions made are that teengagers are from families that are middle class and above. This provides them the abilities to whine about their lives and to compare.
The MM could be influcial enough to convince the UN and coutries from all round the world to step in and beat povery. Like, providing education and basic necessities.
Raising awareness could be one of the measures taken but more could be done. Concrete steps should be taken. Schools could have promote activities and raise funds for the poverty. Either that, or schools could have organise educational trips to undeveloped countries more often to opent he eyes of naive teenagers. This could prove to be a turning point of their life.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1) I would say that the purpose of these videos is to inform us about the magnitude of poverty in the 2 different part of the world today. Also, to question oneself about how lucky we are in the world today, how fortunate. Besides, the other rather obvious motive of the videos is to touched viewers and influence them to take part in the 40 hour famine campaign, so as to raise funds to feed the poor such as Kaisong in the first video, for charity. Also, to eradicate poverty.
ReplyDelete2)
First assumption:
People in the more well-off countries are not contented with what they have in life and are often asking for more and more. The video 2 shows how teenagers are “disgustingly incognizant” (cheem word by Geng hao , hah ;D) of their good fortune and good life they lead as compared to the underprivileged and deplorable life of Kaisong.
Second assumption:
Through the contributions gathered by the famine camp, the hungry in the poor country (Laos) will get fed and receive proper meals. However , can a single famine camp feed an entire country where there are millions of poor people who don’t get to eat even a meal a day? To what extent? For how long? Is it temporary or long-termed? That will ultimate depends on the number of people willing to take part in this camp. A million participants? Possibly.. insufficient =\
3What else can the media do besides raising awareness?
Awareness of the poverty issues that are happening in other part of the world is one thing, taking action to DO SOMETHING to help them is another. The question is now, who are aware of it and what are they doing? Whos making the effort? I would say that eradicating poverty is largely impossible. Without the poor, what would be defined as rich. From the second video, it is impossible that the girl wouldn’t be unaware of the poverty issues. However, does she feel contented? Hence, I think that raising contentment of people with their lives is the crux to reducing poverty, if people are not contented with their own lives, why would they be bothered about the lives of others?
4)Raising awareness is never enough. Poverty needs to be tackled by action by the global and also local community. However,In less-developed countries like Laos alone, the rich and very rich and the poor as seen in the video are very poor, the rich are aware. Awareness is all around them and they do not need a video to be informed about their own poverty issues in their own country but poverty is abundant still. Why?!
Gerald's here!! ;]]
1) I would say that the purpose of these videos is to inform us about the magnitude of poverty in the 2 different part of the world today. Also, to question oneself about how lucky we are in the world today, how fortunate. Besides, the other rather obvious motive of the videos is to touched viewers and influence them to take part in the 40 hour famine campaign, so as to raise funds to feed the poor such as Kaisong in the first video, for charity. Also, to eradicate poverty.
ReplyDelete2)
First assumption:
People in the more well-off countries are not contented with what they have in life and are often asking for more and more. The video 2 shows how teenagers are “disgustingly incognizant” (cheem word by Geng hao , hah ;D) of their good fortune and good life they lead as compared to the underprivileged and deplorable life of Kaisong.
Second assumption:
Through the contributions gathered by the famine camp, the hungry in the poor country (Laos) will get fed and receive proper meals. However , can a single famine camp feed an entire country where there are millions of poor people who don’t get to eat even a meal a day? To what extent? For how long? Is it temporary or long-termed? That will ultimate depends on the number of people willing to take part in this camp. A million participants? Possibly.. insufficient =\
3What else can the media do besides raising awareness?
Awareness of the poverty issues that are happening in other part of the world is one thing, taking action to DO SOMETHING to help them is another. The question is now, who are aware of it and what are they doing? Whos making the effort? I would say that eradicating poverty is largely impossible. Without the poor, what would be defined as rich. From the second video, it is impossible that the girl wouldn’t be unaware of the poverty issues. However, does she feel contented? Hence, I think that raising contentment of people with their lives is the crux to reducing poverty, if people are not contented with their own lives, why would they be bothered about the lives of others?
4)Raising awareness is never enough. Poverty needs to be tackled by action by the global and also local community. However,In less-developed countries like Laos alone, the rich and very rich and the poor as seen in the video are very poor, the rich are aware. Awareness is all around them and they do not need a video to be informed about their own poverty issues in their own country but poverty is abundant still. Why?!
Gerald's here!! ;]]
The purpose of both videos is to raise awareness throughout the world in curbing the problems posed by poverty. Video 1 made use of the advertisement of a 40-hours campaign while video 2 wishes to shed light on the gap between teenagers in well-off living conditions compared to those who are living in poverty. After viewing these videos, the producers of course wanted the viewers to follow the campaign and raise funds or provided other forms of aid for these poverty victicms.
ReplyDeleteIn video 1, the producers assumes that by the campaign will allow people throughout the world to understand the hardships faced by poverty-stricken countrie, however, I beg to differ. It is obviously impossible to know the emotions of the less fortunate unless we can successfully imbibe the lifestyle of a poverty-stricken country into ours.
In video 2, the assumption made is that teenagers are constantly unsatisfied with what they have and are not concern with the ongoing poverty status of other countries. It does not mean that the teenagers now must live like those in poverty-stricken countries even if they are granted privileges to live in a comfortable environment. Hence it is wrong of the producer to shed such a bad light on teenagers, assuming that they took their privileges for granted.
Raising awareness is definitely not enough. Even if the public is awared of the poverty status, it will not do any help to those suffering. Hence, the mass media should provide direct aid to poverty-stricken countries such as educating the public on poverty and even grant free advertisement rights to peolpe who wishes to advertise campaigns regarding poverty.
All in all, a raised in awareness is not enough. We should all learn to treasure the things we have now and not take things for granted. Even if we cannot help those suffering, the least we can do is feel grateful.
OMG. I DID ONE WHOLE CHUNK then i close the browser.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the purpose of these videos?
The purpose of these videos is to propagate us and to churn our emotions by implying that not participating in the event means that you are heartless. The second video did a great job, comparing and attacking the lifestyles of a certain group of teenagers. In my opinion, the purpose of the organizers is to grab the attention of the people, instead of solving poverty.
What assumptions / implications are made by these videos?
For the first video, the assumption is that the event has the ultimate ability to solve poverty and people in LDCs have something to eat.
For the second video, the assumption is that ALL teenagers are spoiled and that all teenagers are not satisfied with the things that they have. It implies that teenagers are the 'bad' and the people living in poverty are the 'good'. Furthermore, it implies that teenagers should not be deserved what they have, vice versa.
What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
Is raising awareness enough?
I believe that raising awareness is not enough. Actions speak louder than words. Actors or bands can do their part by visiting people living in poverty. Also, governments should work together and the governments that are helping out should make sure that ALL money is channeled into helping the people.
Heyy peeps!!
ReplyDeleteSorry for my oh-so late entry! Kinda overlooked it, i guess. Hehee! Anywayz, I'm here to redeem myself with my piece. So here we go...
These two videos intends to potray the two contrasting lives between a third world country adn a first world country. As such, promoting the "40 Hour Famine" as an appeal to the international audience for contributions and help, in hope to eradicate poverty.
Assumptions made includes teenagers the "better-off" life today are unappreciative of what they have in their lives. Henceforth, implying that these teenagers are in need of educating and be aware of the unfortunate lifestyles in the poorer countries so as they would value their life more.
Besides raising awareness through the advertising of such events..or depicting the lives of the real people in the third world,the mass media can have a direct involvement with the mass audience. For instance, it can be a medium for a source of donation through raising fund events where people could donate with every phone call etc.
Clearly, raising awareness is NOT enough. Because AWARENESS DOES NOT NECESSARILY EQUATES TO ACTIONS. This is true- you can be aware of the sad tragedy in Kahsiong, but are you doing anything about it? A show of sympathy would be the very least many would react. But they are not buying our sympathy. They need our help!!~ Prominently, financial aids is what is being searched.
Sadly, many of thse third world coutries are trapped in this vicious cycle of poverty. And in order to eradicate this "moonster", we have to come together as ONE.
I would like to end off by sharing with you guys a song that I think have relevance and it's influential adn inspirational. Check it otu aite?(:
It's entitled "If everyonce Cared" by nickelback. As the title suggests: If only EVRYONE CARED..
LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPbLrs1fQg4
1. What is the purpose of these videos?
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of this videos is to promote the 40-hour famine event and encourage more people to play a part. By stirring up emotions (sympathy and empathy in this case), the videos hope to get more people to contribute to this event and perhaps even make financial donations.
However, I feel that that is not the sole purpose of these videos. Well, I guess it can be said that many teenagers and even adults nowadays do not appreciate what they have in life, and are constantly complaining about how 'bad' their lives are. These videos serve as a wake-up call to these people and is trying to make them realise how fortunate they actually are. Here in Singapore, most if not all are granted housing and education by the government. Yet students who have the privilege of going to school are complaining everyday about the stress of having to study. As shown in the second video, a girl in Australia is complaining about her iPod having only a 1GB storage size, while that very iPod could probably feed a family for months in underdeveloped countries such as Laos.
2. What assumptions / implications are made by these videos?
The second video implies that all teenagers are not content with what they have, and that they do not understand how fortunate they really are. I feel that the video rather unfairly only focuses on the portion of teenagers who demonstrate a negative attitude towards life. I strongly believe that there is also a good number of teenagers today who understand and empathise with the plight of the poor and the less fortunate.
3. What else can the mass media do besides raise awareness?
Besides raising awareness through informing the public about certain pressing issues, the media can perhaps even try to educate the public instead. Rather than just telling everyone that they should be doing something to help, I feel that it would be more effective if the media could teach the public on how to actually help these people. (E.g. How to contribute to charity through the various charity and donation channels)
4. Is raising awareness enough?
Nope, raising awareness alone is definitely not enough. If it is, there will probably be no major global issues (e.g. Global Warming, Conservation of Cologne Cathedral) in the world right now as the accessibility and far-reaching effects of the mass media can easily help to raise awareness. Also, if raising awareness alone is enough, there will be no Project Work as there can only be one lesson learnt from all conservation examples. Life would be easy and I would not need to endure so much stress due to my PI. Haha! But ya, it is definitely not enough.