Children of Men is a 2006 thriller movie that takes place in the year 2027 where everyone in the world is infertile, so children cannot be born. The main character in Theo Faron, a former activist turned cynical bureaucrat living in the militarized police state of Great Britain. He gets drawn into helping his ex-wife, Julian, transport a girl to safety outside Great Britain. Theo later discovers the girl, Kee, is pregnant. The first pregnant girl in 18 years. Throughout the course of their journey, Julian gets shot and killed, Theo and Kee are hunted attacked, and Theo eventually dies from a gunshot as the rescue ship approaches to save Kee and her baby. The film also addresses issues of immigration and refugees, when the film shows metal cages on the streets full of people, assuming illegal immigrants, as well as later in the movie it shows abuse and mistreatment of refugees by British military and police. Cuaron, the director, did this to make a statement on the world's treatment of refugees from war torn countries. He wanted to show an extreme situation that could potentially happen if the world does not improve treatment of refugees and immigrants.
Some critics also make connections between the movie treatment of immigrants and the Holocaust. This is because of the British government hunting illegal immigrants so intently and violently in the movie. Also in one of the scenes where cages of immigrants can be seen, a woman in one of the cages is speaking German.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Life As We Knew It in today's society
"I gave everyone sponge baths, and then I took all their dirty sheets and pillowcases and spent the afternoon washing them. (Pfeffer 308)
Susan Beth Pfeffer's dystopian novel, Life as We Knew It depicts a world where the moon has been moved closer to the earth by an asteroid causing a plethora of problems. These include volcanoes erupting, mass flooding on coastlines, extreme cold, extreme heat, air pollution, food shortages, water shortages, and electricity to be knocked out. The main character, Miranda, lives with her family in suburban Pennsylvania. Pfeffer chronicles the struggle to survive and care for her family alongside the struggles encountered by normal teenagers. One issue that is brought to life in her novel can be seen when Miranda must take care of her entire family of four when they all have the flu. She must feed them, change their sheets and clothes, and even clear out smoke that has gathered in their living room due to a backfired fireplace. She does this all with minimal food and water, no electricity, when it is below zero outside. Whether it be illness, or injury, many children must take on the role as primary caregiver for his/her family. An article published by CNN states that 22% of students across America do not finish high school because they dropped out to care for a loved one. The article tells the story of 13 year-old Nickolaus Dent, who takes care of his mother who is battling HIV. Because his father died two years ago, it has become Nick's job to care for his mother, which leaves him little time and energy for school and socializing. Nickolaus is one of 10,000 kids living in Palm Beach, Florida, who is the family's primary caregiver. This article supports Miranda's struggle to keep her family alive, and proves that Susan Beth Pfeffer's Life As We Knew It is extremely relevant in today's society.
Susan Beth Pfeffer's dystopian novel, Life as We Knew It depicts a world where the moon has been moved closer to the earth by an asteroid causing a plethora of problems. These include volcanoes erupting, mass flooding on coastlines, extreme cold, extreme heat, air pollution, food shortages, water shortages, and electricity to be knocked out. The main character, Miranda, lives with her family in suburban Pennsylvania. Pfeffer chronicles the struggle to survive and care for her family alongside the struggles encountered by normal teenagers. One issue that is brought to life in her novel can be seen when Miranda must take care of her entire family of four when they all have the flu. She must feed them, change their sheets and clothes, and even clear out smoke that has gathered in their living room due to a backfired fireplace. She does this all with minimal food and water, no electricity, when it is below zero outside. Whether it be illness, or injury, many children must take on the role as primary caregiver for his/her family. An article published by CNN states that 22% of students across America do not finish high school because they dropped out to care for a loved one. The article tells the story of 13 year-old Nickolaus Dent, who takes care of his mother who is battling HIV. Because his father died two years ago, it has become Nick's job to care for his mother, which leaves him little time and energy for school and socializing. Nickolaus is one of 10,000 kids living in Palm Beach, Florida, who is the family's primary caregiver. This article supports Miranda's struggle to keep her family alive, and proves that Susan Beth Pfeffer's Life As We Knew It is extremely relevant in today's society.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Consumer Profile
I think in today's society, the invention of a feed would be disastrous to society. It would allow corporations to take away our individuality and identity by allowing us to be sorted into a few groups. I think everyone should try to resist the feed. I would embark on that challenge by avoiding getting a feed in the first place for as long as I can. If I were to be forced to get a feed I would try to set it to 'sleep mode' or something similar to discourage myself from succumbing to the attractive advertisements and products.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The 1984 Show!
George Orwell's book 1984, is a dystopian novel depicting a world where the government, or 'big brother' has complete control over the way citizens live their lives. The majority of the population blindly follow, but any dissenters are quickly eliminated. The Truman show, is a 1998 motion picture starring Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, an ordinary man living and working in a town called Seahaven. But what he doesn't realize is that his entire life is televised as a form of entertainment for the rest of the world.
Winston Smith, the protagonist in 1984, and Truman Burbank, the protagonist in 'The Truman Show" are both victims of an oppressive lifestyle, and the two stories are both about the main character breaking and trying to escape from their current lives. Truman is trying to escape the domed town of Seahaven, while Winston is trying to escape the oppressive Big Brother. Both are also aided by female characters who encourage and assist them. For Winston is it Julia, a cunning, brave government worker who uses her sexuality as a form of rebellion. And for Truman it is Silvia, his high school sweetheart who mysteriously disappeared, and is encouraging him to break out of Seahaven from outside the dome.
In The Truman Show, Truman is afraid of water because his father died in a boating accident years ago. This is representative of his fear to escape and learn the truth. In 1984 it is a little more obvious that Winston is afraid to learn the truth due to a likelihood that he would be tortured and killed if he tried to discover the truth. In both cases however, both protagonists to learn the truth about their situations, Truman eventually escapes, while Winston unfortunately does get tortured and eventually killed.
Winston Smith, the protagonist in 1984, and Truman Burbank, the protagonist in 'The Truman Show" are both victims of an oppressive lifestyle, and the two stories are both about the main character breaking and trying to escape from their current lives. Truman is trying to escape the domed town of Seahaven, while Winston is trying to escape the oppressive Big Brother. Both are also aided by female characters who encourage and assist them. For Winston is it Julia, a cunning, brave government worker who uses her sexuality as a form of rebellion. And for Truman it is Silvia, his high school sweetheart who mysteriously disappeared, and is encouraging him to break out of Seahaven from outside the dome.
In The Truman Show, Truman is afraid of water because his father died in a boating accident years ago. This is representative of his fear to escape and learn the truth. In 1984 it is a little more obvious that Winston is afraid to learn the truth due to a likelihood that he would be tortured and killed if he tried to discover the truth. In both cases however, both protagonists to learn the truth about their situations, Truman eventually escapes, while Winston unfortunately does get tortured and eventually killed.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Telescreens and The NSA
One issue that really stood out to me while reading George Orwell's Dystopian novel 1984, was the unrestricted surveillance of citizens through 'Big Brother's' use of Telescreens. In the novel, Telescreens are similar to today's TVs but Telescreens have the ability to watch and listen to anybody throughout all hours of the day. This struck a chord with me because it sounds somewhat similar to the National Security Agency's un-warranted search of American's phone calls and emails. In the novel the main character Winston gets caught and captured by the government through secret use of telescreen surveillance because Winston was plotting to rebel against the government. This can be paralleled in today's society to the NSA listening to American phone calls in search or anything that may arouse suspicion. Now while the NSA is not as extensive or obvious as telescreens, it is still a scary precedent that the government has the ability to do this to citizens.
While in 1984 the citizens could not do anything against the surveillance, in today's society many people are outraged that the government can use unrestricted surveillance, and steps are being taken to restrict the NSA's ability to use unwarranted searches of American phone calls and emails.
While in 1984 the citizens could not do anything against the surveillance, in today's society many people are outraged that the government can use unrestricted surveillance, and steps are being taken to restrict the NSA's ability to use unwarranted searches of American phone calls and emails.
The world of Doublespeak
Doublespeak is used in today's society to make an uncomfortable or unpleasant topic more likable. For example, in the military world, if civilians were killed in a military operation, they are considered 'collateral damage'. Surrendering is renamed a tactical retreat, and in the US army, killing someone is considered 'servicing the target.' According to an article titled, 'Involuntary Conversions, Preemptive Counterattacks, and Incomplete Success: The World of Doublespeak' there are four kinds of doublespeak. The first being Euphemism, a pleasant replacement for a harsh or unattractive word of phrase. The second type of Doublespeak is 'jargon', a simplified language used by doctors, lawyers, or other professionals. Jargon is a verbal shorthand designed for only people in specific fields to be able to understand. The third type of Doublespeak is 'bureaucratese'. It is a form of speaking used by politicians, and business executives. It is used by piling eloquent sounding words and phrases on top of each other until the true meaning of the sentence is lost, in a way to confuse and overwhelm the audience. The final type of Doublespeak is language to make the un-ordinary seem extraordinary. Using trumped-up language to make something unappealing or distasteful seem incredible or impressive. For example a used car being called an 'experienced car.'
In conclusion, Doublespeak is a way of speaking that pretends to convey a message but really does not and simply misleads and confuses the audience.
In conclusion, Doublespeak is a way of speaking that pretends to convey a message but really does not and simply misleads and confuses the audience.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Propaganda pros and cons
"Are there any benefits to propaganda? When and why?"
The entire basis of propaganda is appealing to their audience by making it seem like the message is talking specifically to you. Propaganda comes in many different forms, it can be used to encourage people to smoke cigarettes, it makes you feel left out if you are the only one without the new IPhone, it can give the public a figure to direct their anger toward. We see propaganda everyday in our lives, TV commercials, billboards, or even in the daily newspaper. It is slipped under our noses into our lives without us knowing. Propaganda does have benefits in some cases though. For example, the United States used propaganda during World War II to sell war bonds, collect scrap metal and help reserve food. Propaganda was used for the good of the country and also it wasn't hurting anyone. However propaganda can be used for evil. How do you think Hitler persuaded an entire country to rally behind a despicable cause? Propaganda. He made Germany believe that their cause, what they were doing, would benefit the entire world, and they would be crowned heroes.
In the end, propaganda can be beneficial, it tries to convince us to buy a new product, vote for a candidate, or support the war effort. But in the wrong hands, propaganda can have a profound effect on a population, and the world.
The entire basis of propaganda is appealing to their audience by making it seem like the message is talking specifically to you. Propaganda comes in many different forms, it can be used to encourage people to smoke cigarettes, it makes you feel left out if you are the only one without the new IPhone, it can give the public a figure to direct their anger toward. We see propaganda everyday in our lives, TV commercials, billboards, or even in the daily newspaper. It is slipped under our noses into our lives without us knowing. Propaganda does have benefits in some cases though. For example, the United States used propaganda during World War II to sell war bonds, collect scrap metal and help reserve food. Propaganda was used for the good of the country and also it wasn't hurting anyone. However propaganda can be used for evil. How do you think Hitler persuaded an entire country to rally behind a despicable cause? Propaganda. He made Germany believe that their cause, what they were doing, would benefit the entire world, and they would be crowned heroes.
In the end, propaganda can be beneficial, it tries to convince us to buy a new product, vote for a candidate, or support the war effort. But in the wrong hands, propaganda can have a profound effect on a population, and the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)