ELA 5/31

First topic that came up was whether it is justifiable to use music in documentaries or movies, which may manipulate, if not compel, viewers to think in the way the director does. In our group discussion, some of us said how some TV shows or documentaries do too much of these musical backgrounds, and one example that came up was the laughing sound effects in comedies. Personally, I find them quite annoying as it sounds artificial and fake, and it plays before I can decide whether the program is comical or not. I feel that they compel the audience in thinking it is funny, even if it is the most boring and humourless program. On the other hand, if documentaries and movies did not have any sounds, they will have difficulty conveying the moral lessons they contain to the audience. Sound effects help arouse certain emotions in the viewers, which may help deliver the vital message. For example, the dramatic music in the “Say No to Blood Diamonds” helps instigate a grave feeling to the audience. So to some extent, I believe that sound effects are necessary to support the main point of what is being presented. I simply cannot image TV programs, documentaries, and other medias without any sounds, so I believe it is the viewers’ responsibility to not be manipulated by the background music into thinking in an immoral way.

Campaigns. Our group thought about why “Say No to Blood Diamonds” and “Grocery Store Wars” were less popular compared to “The Mouth Revolutions” and “Meatrix”. First of all, “Say No to Blood Diamonds” told viewers at the end to write to the Congress; there was no sense of collaboration in fighting for the cause. Rather it just left it individual’s responsibility to fight for this exploitation. On the other hand, “Meatrix” set up their own webpage and explained in detail how you can help fight the cause. The “Grocery Store Wars” was cute and intriguing, but I thought it lacked seriousness. The overall sound effects and setting suggested this clip to be more of a Star Wars parody than a campaign against GMO products.  As for the “Mouth Revolutions”, I considered that to be similar to “Grocery Store Wars”. Anyhow, I think it was effective because it encouraged people to come together; it asked people to take an upside down photo from chin down and post it. I hypothesized after watching these campaigns that suggesting people to cooperate in fighting for a cause makes campaigns more effective than demanding individual actions.

Moe mentioning her father in her blog reminded me of something. My father is a businessman, and I know that he has a plantation in China rather than Canada just for the reason that it is more cost-effective. The corporation video, the LLA lecture this week, and our classes has  suggested to me that perhaps my father is one of those capitalistic businessman who only has eyes for profit (although I certainly don’t to believe this). As much as I am against this, my father provides me the money for food, clothes, and education. In fact, I wouldn’t in ICU and writing this blog if it wasn’t for my father’s financial aid. I detest how rich businessmen do dirty things to expand their profit much as possible, but in reality I am living off this profit, and I really don’t know what to think of this…