Post by Frozazen on Mar 9, 2012 5:31:34 GMT
watched this like 2 days after it came out. 10 million views. now there are 45 million. quite the viral video
it really makes me think, though: what would I really do in this situation? would I just sit back and watch as the action happens, like any ignorant American would, or would I actually get my money together to do something to help?
Don't mind this paragraph. I just feel like taking apart his video and analyzing it. If you want to know my thought process while watching this video then by all means read it if you can.
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I was interested in why so many people would watch, and share, this video. A lot of people see this video, and the video invokes strong feelings, cause it hits people where it hurts. It does so by showing what we hold dear to us: life, family, freedom, happiness, and showing just how wrong it is to take it all away from children. it gives a solution, and describes a plan to carry it out. I assume that people are drawn in by Russel's epic execution of his video. He puts in a lot of scenes where his son tries to piece together these events, and the child's sheer amount of innocence is the clincher in this video. Who would want their child, one who is so unused to the world around him and only lives to laugh, to be abducted and forced to kill others for personal gain? He shows how he and his colleagues have even gone to the frontlines in order to work towards Kony's capture. He shows his numerous university visits and even scenes of D.C., to show just how passionate he is about sticking it to Kony. He also shows the life of his friend Jacob, who is a direct victim of Kony's terror. Putting tear-jerking moments such as Jacob's crying scene, and vividly explaining how children are constantly fearing abduction. He shows the shelters that they have to live in in order to conceal their presence. He doesn't show their cramped up lifestyle, poor hygiene and sad conditions, simply because he doesn't have to, and also because people would be even more put off if they thought that he was trying to degrade the Ugandans' pride by showing the ones in the most pathetic situations. By leaving out the super sad parts he shows that the Ugandans have pride, and that they will work hard in order to complete their goal. All the while Russel is building up our anger against Kony, and makes us want to shoot the idiot for committing such crimes. Russel then halts his entire narration, and invites us viewers into his domain by asking for our help. When people see people with a fire in their hearts it makes them want to join in, or at least they have deep feelings of admiration for such people. Most people, when they see a problem in third-world countries, usually distance themselves form the situation, because they know that they can't do anything about it, and it would only put a burden on their minds and hearts if they constantly think about such serious matters. KONY 2012 is different. Russel gives people the opportunity they want. He gives us a chance to come together as a unified, passionate, reckless group of youngsters that will stick it to Kony. When he talks about his efforts with the US government he shows that the project actually has a chance of succeeding. He then sets a specific time limit of 31 Dec 2012 for Kony's arrest, and an even earlier one of 20 Apr 2012 for us to carry out our first mission, in order to add a sense of urgency to his cause (not that it isn't urgent). In order to prevent the apathy of the people from setting in, he HAS to make his steps arrive soon, but not unreasonably soon. The way he presents his plan can be likened much to how a special organization in a movie would execute their plan. Everything is planned out step by step, and makes us feel like secret agents who are fighting for good. The good video editing skills, narration, and music choice all help add a magical feel to this, as well. We can be a part of this. After seeing Russel and his friends and Jacob and his friends in Africa, D.C., and a whole bunch of other places, some people might feel powerless still. However, Russel says that we can help in one of two ways: funding and awareness. He states that the principle problem is Kony's virtual invisibility in world affairs, and by saying that the most crucial problem is that of awareness, the one thing that we people can actually help in, he convinces a lot of people to jump onto his bandwagon. There will be people who feel like trolling, and those who say that this whole thing is a scam, but the momentum has started, and cash as well as awareness will fly across the world. The awareness will upset even more people, and more and more funding will be given for the Kony cause.
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phew that was nice to let a few brain cells go to work ^^
Anyway, I, too, feel inspired by this video, and I hope that everything goes well in the end for James Russel and his friends. But I really can't stop thinking that I might be a complete loser if I don't get myself an action pack, or if I don't spread the word about Kony. It could be the tone of the video. It could be the massive amount of people who are supporting this cause. I myself prefer my usual spot in the background, simply watching the action as it happens, analyzing, thinking. But is it wrong? Is it only right to do something, thereby making it wrong to do nothing? I'm not sure, but it sure does make me feel guilty about wanting to hold onto my money for prom and an anime convention...
it really makes me think, though: what would I really do in this situation? would I just sit back and watch as the action happens, like any ignorant American would, or would I actually get my money together to do something to help?
Don't mind this paragraph. I just feel like taking apart his video and analyzing it. If you want to know my thought process while watching this video then by all means read it if you can.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was interested in why so many people would watch, and share, this video. A lot of people see this video, and the video invokes strong feelings, cause it hits people where it hurts. It does so by showing what we hold dear to us: life, family, freedom, happiness, and showing just how wrong it is to take it all away from children. it gives a solution, and describes a plan to carry it out. I assume that people are drawn in by Russel's epic execution of his video. He puts in a lot of scenes where his son tries to piece together these events, and the child's sheer amount of innocence is the clincher in this video. Who would want their child, one who is so unused to the world around him and only lives to laugh, to be abducted and forced to kill others for personal gain? He shows how he and his colleagues have even gone to the frontlines in order to work towards Kony's capture. He shows his numerous university visits and even scenes of D.C., to show just how passionate he is about sticking it to Kony. He also shows the life of his friend Jacob, who is a direct victim of Kony's terror. Putting tear-jerking moments such as Jacob's crying scene, and vividly explaining how children are constantly fearing abduction. He shows the shelters that they have to live in in order to conceal their presence. He doesn't show their cramped up lifestyle, poor hygiene and sad conditions, simply because he doesn't have to, and also because people would be even more put off if they thought that he was trying to degrade the Ugandans' pride by showing the ones in the most pathetic situations. By leaving out the super sad parts he shows that the Ugandans have pride, and that they will work hard in order to complete their goal. All the while Russel is building up our anger against Kony, and makes us want to shoot the idiot for committing such crimes. Russel then halts his entire narration, and invites us viewers into his domain by asking for our help. When people see people with a fire in their hearts it makes them want to join in, or at least they have deep feelings of admiration for such people. Most people, when they see a problem in third-world countries, usually distance themselves form the situation, because they know that they can't do anything about it, and it would only put a burden on their minds and hearts if they constantly think about such serious matters. KONY 2012 is different. Russel gives people the opportunity they want. He gives us a chance to come together as a unified, passionate, reckless group of youngsters that will stick it to Kony. When he talks about his efforts with the US government he shows that the project actually has a chance of succeeding. He then sets a specific time limit of 31 Dec 2012 for Kony's arrest, and an even earlier one of 20 Apr 2012 for us to carry out our first mission, in order to add a sense of urgency to his cause (not that it isn't urgent). In order to prevent the apathy of the people from setting in, he HAS to make his steps arrive soon, but not unreasonably soon. The way he presents his plan can be likened much to how a special organization in a movie would execute their plan. Everything is planned out step by step, and makes us feel like secret agents who are fighting for good. The good video editing skills, narration, and music choice all help add a magical feel to this, as well. We can be a part of this. After seeing Russel and his friends and Jacob and his friends in Africa, D.C., and a whole bunch of other places, some people might feel powerless still. However, Russel says that we can help in one of two ways: funding and awareness. He states that the principle problem is Kony's virtual invisibility in world affairs, and by saying that the most crucial problem is that of awareness, the one thing that we people can actually help in, he convinces a lot of people to jump onto his bandwagon. There will be people who feel like trolling, and those who say that this whole thing is a scam, but the momentum has started, and cash as well as awareness will fly across the world. The awareness will upset even more people, and more and more funding will be given for the Kony cause.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
phew that was nice to let a few brain cells go to work ^^
Anyway, I, too, feel inspired by this video, and I hope that everything goes well in the end for James Russel and his friends. But I really can't stop thinking that I might be a complete loser if I don't get myself an action pack, or if I don't spread the word about Kony. It could be the tone of the video. It could be the massive amount of people who are supporting this cause. I myself prefer my usual spot in the background, simply watching the action as it happens, analyzing, thinking. But is it wrong? Is it only right to do something, thereby making it wrong to do nothing? I'm not sure, but it sure does make me feel guilty about wanting to hold onto my money for prom and an anime convention...
I made a thing... Long live Gotcha Force!!!
