After watching Dying to Tell a Story, it has definitely broadened my eyes to more of what happens. In America, people live without even realizing that there is more than where we live. I have definitely been guilty of that. We've all been scolded by adults once or twice when we waste resources or take things for granted and told that children in other countries would take our places in a heartbeat. And when you see this movie, it captures you. It, at least, captured me. The tragedies that occur on a daily basis to these people is a shocking sight to see. And then there are journalists who risk their lives and go out to these dangerous places, caught in the middle of dangerous situations just to expose what really happens.
Of course, this is like a vicious cycle. When there are places of conflict, there will be photojournalists. There must be killings everyday, and these people risk their lives, with little credit due to their bravery. Their attempts to expose the cruelty and impoverished lands to us ends up in a dead end. Death. They know it's imperative for us to know what's happening. Why else would anyone take the risk? I think I remember a photojournalist once saying how it'd be lucky for any photojournalist to come back alive. And it truly is.
A photojournalist displays a service and a very important one at that. Not only is what they take from these countries given to us, America, as a country but can be seen by the entire world. When not only America but also many other countries who can help do many good deeds for these war-stricken lands. They're definitely crazy for risking their lives, but in a praise-worthy sense. They're doing a service to us all and it needs to be appreciated.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Cowboy Photographers
Photographers who dare venture into combat zones and taking pictures are people who deserve the utmost respect. Some might find them crazy for going into these life-threatening places, but they do it for a good cause. They endeavor to inform the world of the horrible actions that occur and show us what we don't realize is happening right now. Cowboy photographers are those who get thrills and chills from being in dangerous war zones and getting shots of adrenaline running through their veins. Their motives are different from other photographers who journey into these high-risk areas.
Journalists display courage when they arrive in warring countries. They face life-threatening situations and their actions are all for the greater good. They try to make it known the tragedies that happen in these countries filled with hate and war. There is a difference between these photographers and cowboy photographers. The bravery presented by cowboy photographers are certainly valiant, but it is not on the same level as the courage displayed by other photojournalists. The journalists interviewed in Dying to Tell the Story emitted images quite opposite of the "cowboy photographer." Photojournalists developed rules from their own experiences, one of the more serious being, "Your life is more important than any photo." Who else would show the world the pictures you've taken and the horrible things you've seen.
In the movie, we saw the BBC war correspondent Martin Bell and his story of how he refused to wear a protective jacket while interviewing civilians. Sure, this action could have possibly been fatal, but how else would he have gotten the interviews? How does it look to the helpless civilians, almost like flopping fish out of water while he's nicely protected and toasty in the jacket? His choice to do this can definitely can be seen as foolhardy and could have costed him his life, but he had to do so or there was no story to tell at all. It seems sort of hypocritical, but really, he didn't do it for the rush or the thrills and chills. He simply did it to help get his point across. And that makes all the difference when drawing the line between true courage shown by photojournalists and the foolhardy bravery of cowboy photographers.
Journalists display courage when they arrive in warring countries. They face life-threatening situations and their actions are all for the greater good. They try to make it known the tragedies that happen in these countries filled with hate and war. There is a difference between these photographers and cowboy photographers. The bravery presented by cowboy photographers are certainly valiant, but it is not on the same level as the courage displayed by other photojournalists. The journalists interviewed in Dying to Tell the Story emitted images quite opposite of the "cowboy photographer." Photojournalists developed rules from their own experiences, one of the more serious being, "Your life is more important than any photo." Who else would show the world the pictures you've taken and the horrible things you've seen.
In the movie, we saw the BBC war correspondent Martin Bell and his story of how he refused to wear a protective jacket while interviewing civilians. Sure, this action could have possibly been fatal, but how else would he have gotten the interviews? How does it look to the helpless civilians, almost like flopping fish out of water while he's nicely protected and toasty in the jacket? His choice to do this can definitely can be seen as foolhardy and could have costed him his life, but he had to do so or there was no story to tell at all. It seems sort of hypocritical, but really, he didn't do it for the rush or the thrills and chills. He simply did it to help get his point across. And that makes all the difference when drawing the line between true courage shown by photojournalists and the foolhardy bravery of cowboy photographers.
Friday, February 11, 2011
10 blah questions
1) What motivates you to do well in school?
2) Is Wikipedia reliable and should it be used for school-related projects and research papers?
3) Should teachers be paid by how well their students do?
4) Why do women like shoe sales so much?
5) What's considered to be appropriate places to go on first dates? McDonald's? I don't know.
6) When is the right age to expose children
7) Is there such thing as ghosts?
8) Are imaginary friends healthy for kids' social lives?
9) What traits make a person charismatic or likeable?
10) Should parents use those crazy early learning stuff on their children? (Kids who can read and are 1 year old? What.)
2) Is Wikipedia reliable and should it be used for school-related projects and research papers?
3) Should teachers be paid by how well their students do?
4) Why do women like shoe sales so much?
5) What's considered to be appropriate places to go on first dates? McDonald's? I don't know.
6) When is the right age to expose children
7) Is there such thing as ghosts?
8) Are imaginary friends healthy for kids' social lives?
9) What traits make a person charismatic or likeable?
10) Should parents use those crazy early learning stuff on their children? (Kids who can read and are 1 year old? What.)
5% of RCSD students after graduation are ready for college
It is shocking to see a statistic like this as a student. The question suddenly crossed upon my mind if I was part of that 5% or not. You begin to doubt yourself or perhaps you gain confidence. It is definitely saddening to think these thoughts and college is certainly a scary thing. It's obvious students will think at one time or another about whether or not they are ready for college. And as a sophomore, the days, weeks, and months begin to quickly drift by and before anyone knows it it's already going to be senior year. Many kids are clueless on their future, while others are absolutely certain. But even for those who know what they want to do, how will they know if they will succeed? The future is a frightening thing to think about.
Now, here in New York, only a small percentage is apparently ready for college. Being a person who lives in Rochester, the 5% is alarming to see. Apparently, the Rochester City School District's superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard is going to be focusing on raising standards and expectations. He believes this will fix the small percentages. I think, although this seems like a logical plan, it might turn out negatively. High expectations and standards are fixing only a part of the problem. We need to actively participate in the classroom and find out what's going wrong and what's right.
These statistics are unnerving to see, and especially as a high schooler. I'm not sure if I feel prepared for college, but then again I'm only a sophomore. I'd be more sure of my preparedness when I'm in senior year. It's certain that I am afraid of college, though. Taking on the world after high school is frightening to me and I can only hope that I am prepared when I get thrown into it.
Now, here in New York, only a small percentage is apparently ready for college. Being a person who lives in Rochester, the 5% is alarming to see. Apparently, the Rochester City School District's superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard is going to be focusing on raising standards and expectations. He believes this will fix the small percentages. I think, although this seems like a logical plan, it might turn out negatively. High expectations and standards are fixing only a part of the problem. We need to actively participate in the classroom and find out what's going wrong and what's right.
These statistics are unnerving to see, and especially as a high schooler. I'm not sure if I feel prepared for college, but then again I'm only a sophomore. I'd be more sure of my preparedness when I'm in senior year. It's certain that I am afraid of college, though. Taking on the world after high school is frightening to me and I can only hope that I am prepared when I get thrown into it.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
"How Has the ‘Digital Fishbowl’ Complicated Your Love Life?"
Over the last few years, Facebook has definitely transformed communication and social interaction between people. On Facebook, people can be single, in a relationship or "it's complicated." Now, it's redefining things like breaking up and getting together and a relationship in general. Now your beloved partner can see everything you post, what people send to you on your "walls," and your pictures. Both of you can send sweet nothings to each other 24/7 and best of all, everyone can see it. What else could possibly be more fun than letting everyone on Facebook know how much you love your boy or girlfriend?
Now, in this aspect, it creates a more communicative relationship. However, this is only via the internet. Perhaps, in reality, you might be a tad more shy and less talkative when you're actually around that special person. Facebook can bring together two people, but it can also distance them. Not only that, but it has also provided a new way to break up.
There have been infamous ways of breaking up with a person; including breaking up via text, email or instant-messaging. On Facebook, you can simply break off your relationship status as a way to tell your (soon-to-be-ex) boy or girlfriend that you're over. Facebook has definitely impaired some relationships on the communication in real life situation, but can also re-kindle relationships with forgotten or old friends. Then again, who wants that?
Now, in this aspect, it creates a more communicative relationship. However, this is only via the internet. Perhaps, in reality, you might be a tad more shy and less talkative when you're actually around that special person. Facebook can bring together two people, but it can also distance them. Not only that, but it has also provided a new way to break up.
There have been infamous ways of breaking up with a person; including breaking up via text, email or instant-messaging. On Facebook, you can simply break off your relationship status as a way to tell your (soon-to-be-ex) boy or girlfriend that you're over. Facebook has definitely impaired some relationships on the communication in real life situation, but can also re-kindle relationships with forgotten or old friends. Then again, who wants that?
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