Our inquiry project explored the topic on the types of lies politicians tell and their impacts on society. While researching and interviewing our expert, Professor Esselment from the University of Waterloo, I learned that the lies that politicians tell does in fact impact the outcome of elections. Politicians only present lies to improve their image and win the votes of the public. In addition, it is shocking to know that peoples trust in politicians is at a decline due to scandals, spread of facts that have no real evidence or even broken promises. It is when the lies that politicians tell that makes us loose faith in them. For our project, my group member Ayesha and I were successfully able to get the equipment needed for filming and to edit our video. We used the work periods given in class to film and plan ahead what our video will look like. Furthermore, Professor Esselment was generously kind and flexible with the interview as we did not have any issues with timing or setting. However, we did encounter a few problems with editing our video and learning how to use iMovie (an editing program). Ayesha was an active group member who worked effortlessly with transitions in our video and contacting the professor about available times. Ayesha and I were able to collaboratively work together to figure out how to effectively tie the professors opinions with our specific examples to create an educative video. Throughout the inquiry project process, I learned that I can edit videos without relying on experts and how to prepare interview questions that will cover all our points. I am content that we were able to analyze an interesting topic that many people don't often think about. Overall, our viral video was frustrating but also entertaining to make as we learned many new facts about different politicians along the way.
0 Comments
In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, describes a world where history is constantly altered and modified. Winston the main character states, “All history was a palimpsest, scraped clean and re-inscribed exactly as often as was necessary” (Orwell 42). Winston’s job at the Ministry of Truth is to falsify past documents so they coincide with the present ideals of the Party. In his world, all information is remained untrue and biased. History is altered to explain the occurrences of the present and to control the minds of those living in this dysfunctional world.
Unbelievably, the constant modification of information is also present in our history. In an article called, “12 Historic Photographs That Were Manipulated” provides examples of multiple historic photographs that were altered for many reasons. However, almost all of the important historic figures on the site have their enemies removed in photographs. For example, in one of Hitler’s photographs, Joseph Goebbels is erased leaving no traces as to why he fell out of Hitler’s favour. The purpose of Hitler editing Goebbels out of the photograph is to erase the notion of them ever being acquaintances but rather be presented as unfavourable of each other. Similar to 1984, in order to obtain the image they want from the public they must modify all sorts of media, like photographs to cover up the truth. Important leaders such as the Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Abraham Lincoln are seen as honorable figures. Instead they used their power to alter photos in order to create a perfect image of themselves. In addition, photographs provide primary evidence for events that happen in the past, thus it is shocking that some photos we believe are real could be made up. Not to mention, that the most influential people in our history have altered the past. Serigu Naslau’s campaign ad to encourage smokers to quit smoking is effective and creative. However, by incorporating the concept of terrorism (9/11) to smoking, people will use this fear to kick the habit of smoking or have no interest in picking up the habit. In fact people will go from seeing smoking as something glorified, to being horrified. Meanwhile, people will argue this ad is misleading and in no way the circumstances that occurred in 9/11 can be compared to smoking. This ad primarily demonstrates that smoking is some sort of terrorism to people's bodies, until they crumble to dust. I believe that smokers need to be fully aware of the consequences it does to their health and if using the concept of terrorism to suppress people to quit their addiction in all means it is an effective use of propaganda. Smoking has always been popular in young adults and it is only rising. 9/11 affected many millennials; whether it was through the death of a relative or friend, or the consequences of the attack. If more young adults see this ad they will understand the height of the risk they are taking by smoking that cancer stick. Not to mention, statistics show more people die of smoking than from acts of terrorism everyday. Thus, just like terrorism it should be a concern that needs to be addressed more frequently in society and in the media.
Here's a fact: Privacy does not exist in the 21st century. No matter how hard you try to stay off the grid in this day and age, it just doesn't work. Everything and anything is public and known to others; whether this is your Twitter password, your personal photos or the password to your BMO account, there is someone who knows it. The message you just sent your best friend about her boyfriend acting up? The government has seen it. The videos your mom tags you in on Facebook? The government has seen that too.
In the Ted Talk given by Edward Snowden, he says, "That allows sort of a warrantless wiretapping, mass surveillance of the entire country's phone records, things like that — who you're talking to, when you're talking to them, where you traveled." Anyone would feel violated if they found out that their phone was wire tapped or if they were being mindlessly stalked. It's a huge invasion of privacy but is there anything the public can really do about it? It's the government. They control you. They have power over you. They are everything. This notion is shown in the novel 1984 by George Orwell. In 1984, the government is watching over the population through ‘telescreens’ installed in their homes. How is this any different than our private phones calls being overheard from a stranger? If the government has been tracking you and is suspicious they will prosecute in whatever way possible. Orwell says, "It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescopes. A nervous tic, an unconscious look if anxiety, a habit of mutter to yourself--anything that carried with it the suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide. In any case to wear an improper expression on your face...was itself a punishable offense" Although we are not--at least in this country harmed by police authority through our expressions, we are certainly visible to people we don’t even realize might be watching us. Internet access makes it possible to see who is walking through numerous places around the world, 24 hours a day. So while we don't have “facecrime” described in 1984, our faces are visible to many strangers every minute of every day than we are even aware of most of the time. |