Kony 2012

[Loverskitten]

This is one way that evils become mundane.

I totally share the reservations you both have in regards to this project. There is a kind of Western self-promotion and shallow activism that irks me too. And the US frequently gives arms to the perceived lesser evil.

But, here in America, we are spending so much time on the computer. If this is how we can organize ourselves to take action, then I applaud it. Look at Occupy Wall Street.

But then, look at Occupy Wall Street! What happened? Where did that energy go?

The problem is that it's so hard to stay involved if we don't feel the threat in our own lives. That's one reason Kony's actions halfway around the world are perpetuated. He isn't threatening the powerful. (Hey, how close is he to Africa's oil fields? Maybe he serves an important purpose there.)

These filmmakers have made it part of their life, that's how they can sustain this energy, and keep some focus on the problem. And it does take money to raise a family.

We should probably all question whether we need as much money as we think we do in order to be comfortable. And, like many of us, the filmmakers may not be seeing the whole impact of their actions as they grow more and more excited about the impact they are having. It's hard to see the bigger picture.

But I'm glad to see this here. I'm grateful for both the original link and the subsequent ones. Thank you.

But this is being billed as an awareness campaign, which is getting a pants load of free publicity. Where is all the money going?

 

[JMohegan]

The answer is both -- there is incredible potential to spread superficial and potentially misleading information, but there are plenty of people around who will dig deeper and bring that information to light as well.

I watched the video this morning. My first impression was that they really should rename it: White American Gallops Up To Rescue Helpless Africans From Mean Africans.

More broadly, I find the film's message shocking, because it promulgates the world view of a little kid. Nothing wrong with that in fantasy films - god knows I love the original Star Wars - but plenty wrong with it when discussing a serious topic.

This is the world view that says we should invade Iraq because, you know, Saddam Hussein is a Bad Guy. And hey, McCain's moral outrage is well-founded, let's invade Syria. And Newt's moral imperative about saving Israel sounds noble, let's bomb Iran.

Dealing with the real world is not like planning to blow up the Death Star. The worst thing about growing up is realizing that every challenge involves shades of grey and sticky complications. [I know you know this, ITW, I'm just giving my reaction to the movie.]

I'm sure you're right about the answer being "both." But given the popularity of this Kony film, I have my suspicions about which tendency is more prominent.

 

[the captians wench]

What, specifically, will you urge the Canadian government to do?


From your first link, it's worse than travel money. Your pennies would be funding a military group with its own tradition of rape, looting, and assault. Not as heinous as Kony's, perhaps, but hardly Mother Teresa's troupe.



I like the idea of awareness, too. But awareness without an understanding of the complexities involved can actually be counterproductive. There's an enormous difference superficial awareness and actual education.

Getting back to Keroin's broader point about social media, for the people who are into social media - what is your view on the superficial awareness vs. education issue? I don't do the facebook thing or the twitting thing, so I can't speak to what goes on there. I'm asking if social media is more likely to spread superficial and potentially misleading impressions or real knowledge.

Obviously a lot depends on the individual. I'm asking your opinions about the average facebooker/twitterer person, or rather, about the majority.

The answer is both -- there is incredible potential to spread superficial and potentially misleading information, but there are plenty of people around who will dig deeper and bring that information to light as well.

I watched the video this morning. My first impression was that they really should rename it: White American Gallops Up To Rescue Helpless Africans From Mean Africans.

More broadly, I find the film's message shocking, because it promulgates the world view of a little kid. Nothing wrong with that in fantasy films - god knows I love the original Star Wars - but plenty wrong with it when discussing a serious topic.

This is the world view that says we should invade Iraq because, you know, Saddam Hussein is a Bad Guy. And hey, McCain's moral outrage is well-founded, let's invade Syria. And Newt's moral imperative about saving Israel sounds noble, let's bomb Iran.

Dealing with the real world is not like planning to blow up the Death Star. The worst thing about growing up is realizing that every challenge involves shades of grey and sticky complications. [I know you know this, ITW, I'm just giving my reaction to the movie.]

I'm sure you're right about the answer being "both." But given the popularity of this Kony film, I have my suspicions about which tendency is more prominent.

The fact is, people tend to be sheep. So yes, many will blindly post and re-post the video and never know anything more than there is a bad man kidnapping kids and turning them into soldiers. But in that mass of sheep, there will be people out there who speak from the other side, who will challenge what they see, and that will cause conversation and debate. I'm all for debate. Debate challenges us to not only think for ourselves, but to challenge what we believe.

 

[JMohegan]

You see, when the filmmaker first went to the US government about this issue, he was told that Kony did not represent a significant enough financial or military threat to the US, and so...tough luck.

The filmmaker is either lying, or grossly misinformed.

From the days of the Bush administration.....

"The American military helped plan and pay for a recent attack on a notorious Ugandan rebel group, but the offensive went awry, scattering fighters who carried out a wave of massacres as they fled, killing as many as 900 civilians.
The operation was led by Uganda and aimed to crush the Lord’s Resistance Army, a brutal rebel group that had been hiding out in a Congolese national park, rebuffing efforts to sign a peace treaty. But the rebel leaders escaped, breaking their fighters into small groups that continue to ransack town after town in northeastern Congo, hacking, burning, shooting and clubbing to death anyone in their way.

The United States has been training Ugandan troops in counterterrorism for several years, but its role in the operation has not been widely known. It is the first time the United States has helped plan such a specific military offensive with Uganda, according to senior American military officials. They described a team of 17 advisers and analysts from the Pentagon’s new Africa Command working closely with Ugandan officers on the mission, providing satellite phones, intelligence and $1 million in fuel.

No American forces ever got involved in the ground fighting in this isolated, rugged corner of Congo, but human rights advocates and villagers here complain that the Ugandans and the Congolese troops who carried out the operation did little or nothing to protect nearby villages, despite a history of rebel reprisals against civilians."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/world/africa/07congo.html?pagewanted=all

 

[JMohegan]

The fact is, people tend to be sheep. So yes, many will blindly post and re-post the video and never know anything more than there is a bad man kidnapping kids and turning them into soldiers. But in that mass of sheep, there will be people out there who speak from the other side, who will challenge what they see, and that will cause conversation and debate. I'm all for debate. Debate challenges us to not only think for ourselves, but to challenge what we believe.

I agree.

My concern is that those "sheep" support things like the invasion of Iraq, in other words - what happens when the sheep outnumber the folks with a more informed and sober perspective.

 

[Keroin]

I was curious how long it would take for the backlash and allegations. I'm actually surprised it took as long as it did.

I believe the film has achieved its stated goal - to make Kony famous. What happens now? We'll see.

I don't believe in the 'white man's burden' or world police, etc. I don't believe complex issues can be solved with a 30 minute film. But I am still going to get involved.

From what I've read, Invisible Children has done very good, hands-on, work on the ground in Uganda. I have a friend who did NGO work in Kenya for years. I am aware of how difficult things in Africa can be.

As for your question JM, my first step will be to inform myself, my second step will be to contact my local MLA. Nice thing about living in a small town...it's easy to get the ear of local politicians. Then, once again, we'll see.

I will wear my Kony t-shirt when it arrives, though.

 

[JMohegan]

From what I've read, Invisible Children has done very good, hands-on, work on the ground in Uganda.

Do you have a link to a credible source describing their work?

(Credible, as in, not IC itself. The filmmaker has clearly established himself as either misinformed or mendacious.)

 

[Keroin]

Do you have a link to a credible source describing their work?

(Credible, as in, not IC itself. The filmmaker has clearly established himself as either misinformed or mendacious.)

From Liz Wainwright, UK photo journalist:

"Invisible Children have had a huge impact on the area. They are well respected by other NGOs. I worked alongside them and they were very solutions focused. They didn't sit around talking for too long and checked with experts and that the local people wanted what they were doing. So many organisations stomp in, do what they do and leave. It was very needs driven. My impression over the past few years is that they've got very shiny and slick. The media campaigning is a different type of work to on the ground project work they do. I think they need to decide whether they go down the route of media campaigns or do project work. The film is very sensationalist about the conflict in Uganda. But Uganda is in transition. They are in the aftermath of the war."

And the link to the full Guardian article - with many points of view on the story.

Also, Invisible Children's official response:

http://www.invisiblechildren.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/critiques.html

And now I am on with my day!

 

[JMohegan]

Thanks for the links, Keroin.

 

[Stella_Omega]

But this is being billed as an awareness campaign, which is getting a pants load of free publicity. Where is all the money going?

and so ask i.

 

[JMohegan]

For people who like videos and want to be informed, here you go.

A response to the Kony 2012 video, from Ugandan journalist Rosebell Kagumire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLVY5jBnD-E&feature=player_embedded

 

[Emily124]

Oops, I just posted this on the other Kony-related thread, but here is the link to the official response from Invisible Children, for what it's worth:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html

 

[JMohegan]

Oops, I just posted this on the other Kony-related thread, but here is the link to the official response from Invisible Children, for what it's worth:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html

I would like to read their response to the Ugandan journalist - or to any informed Ugandan, really.

 

[ControlandDom]

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0jc0kuXra1rrqt4mo1_500.jpg

http://stopthescam.tumblr.com/

 

[intothewoods]

I watched the video this morning. My first impression was that they really should rename it: White American Gallops Up To Rescue Helpless Africans From Mean Africans.

More broadly, I find the film's message shocking, because it promulgates the world view of a little kid. Nothing wrong with that in fantasy films - god knows I love the original Star Wars - but plenty wrong with it when discussing a serious topic.

This is the world view that says we should invade Iraq because, you know, Saddam Hussein is a Bad Guy. And hey, McCain's moral outrage is well-founded, let's invade Syria. And Newt's moral imperative about saving Israel sounds noble, let's bomb Iran.

Dealing with the real world is not like planning to blow up the Death Star. The worst thing about growing up is realizing that every challenge involves shades of grey and sticky complications. [I know you know this, ITW, I'm just giving my reaction to the movie.]

I'm sure you're right about the answer being "both." But given the popularity of this Kony film, I have my suspicions about which tendency is more prominent.

Popular content moves through the internet at lightning speed, including criticisms and backlash. I feel like the playing field is equal -- at least on twitter -- and that's what I love about it. The sheer fact that ordinary people in Iran and Egypt could tell the world what was happening in their countries -- that the government could not silence them -- is just amazing. Because of Twitter, those assholes at Susan Komen learned they can't fuck with Planned Parenthood and expect people not to notice. And there's a lot of interesting debate and discussion that takes place, even at less than 140 characters per tweet!

Fwiw, the key as a user is to follow people with whom you have some common connection. When I first joined, I just looked at everybody and there was so much drivel. Now the people I follow are into food, health, politics or they're local to me. Plus, during an election or other times when there's lots of breaking news, it's incredibly fun to get the news first.

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

I simply did not know. Now, I do. Now I can choose to respond in any way I feel is appropriate for me. Yes, it may take me some time to fully research and figure out how I can help, but they got my attention. Everything else aside, their cause speaks to awareness and in my case, they succeeded and I am deeply grateful.

 

[Keroin]

Popular content moves through the internet at lightning speed, including criticisms and backlash. I feel like the playing field is equal -- at least on twitter -- and that's what I love about it. The sheer fact that ordinary people in Iran and Egypt could tell the world what was happening in their countries -- that the government could not silence them -- is just amazing. Because of Twitter, those assholes at Susan Komen learned they can't fuck with Planned Parenthood and expect people not to notice. And there's a lot of interesting debate and discussion that takes place, even at less than 140 characters per tweet!

I simply did not know. Now, I do. Now I can choose to respond in any way I feel is appropriate for me. Yes, it may take me some time to fully research and figure out how I can help, but they got my attention. Everything else aside, their cause speaks to awareness and in my case, they succeeded and I am deeply grateful.

Beautifully stated.

BTW, happy International Women's Day to you clever and outspoken gals!

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

Beautifully stated.

BTW, happy International Women's Day to you clever and outspoken gals!

Hey, back at cha! I had no idea about IWD either, sheesh! Is this the kind of thing where we can justify an extra extravagant dessert? Seems something chocolate themed would be appropriate....

 

[JMohegan]

Popular content moves through the internet at lightning speed, including criticisms and backlash. I feel like the playing field is equal -- at least on twitter -- and that's what I love about it. The sheer fact that ordinary people in Iran and Egypt could tell the world what was happening in their countries -- that the government could not silence them -- is just amazing. Because of Twitter, those assholes at Susan Komen learned they can't fuck with Planned Parenthood and expect people not to notice. And there's a lot of interesting debate and discussion that takes place, even at less than 140 characters per tweet!

Fwiw, the key as a user is to follow people with whom you have some common connection. When I first joined, I just looked at everybody and there was so much drivel. Now the people I follow are into food, health, politics or they're local to me. Plus, during an election or other times when there's lots of breaking news, it's incredibly fun to get the news first.

Judging by youtube hits, I'd say there's tangible evidence that Slick & Ill-Informed (if not outright Distorted) beats Clear & Calm. See Kony 2012 (now more than 38 million views) vs. the Ugandan journalist in my link above (just over 600).

With regard to twitting, who exactly do you follow, and what exactly does following mean?

 

[intothewoods]

Judging by youtube hits, I'd say there's tangible evidence that Slick & Ill-Informed (if not outright Distorted) beats Clear & Calm. See Kony 2012 (now more than 38 million views) vs. the Ugandan journalist in my link above (just over 600).

With regard to twitting, who exactly do you follow, and what exactly does following mean?

Ok, JM, but the Ugandan journalist in your link isn't the only voice of criticism. If you search kony2012 in twitter, for example, it brings up tweets on the subject (marked by #kony2012), and there are plenty of tweets out there alerting folks to the other side of the story:

https://twitter.com/#!/search/kony2012

I would bet most people following this story on social media will hear about the other side. That's just the nature of social media.

What does following mean? It means that if I log in to twitter, I see my feed consisting of the tweets from everyone I follow. People follow me too. On the political front, I follow some journalists and some folks I just find funny. Check out LOLGOP - I really do LOL

 

[intothewoods]

Beautifully stated.

BTW, happy International Women's Day to you clever and outspoken gals!

You too -- I baked you a cupcake.

 

[JMohegan]

Ok, JM, but the Ugandan journalist in your link isn't the only voice of criticism. If you search kony2012 in twitter, for example, it brings up tweets on the subject (marked by #kony2012), and there are plenty of tweets out there alerting folks to the other side of the story:

https://twitter.com/#!/search/kony2012

I would bet most people following this story on social media will hear about the other side. That's just the nature of social media.

What does following mean? It means that if I log in to twitter, I see my feed consisting of the tweets from everyone I follow. People follow me too. On the political front, I follow some journalists and some folks I just find funny. Check out LOLGOP - I really do LOL

I'm not looking for criticism, I'm looking for credible information. If awareness is the point of the Kony 2012 video (and this thread), why is it that so few seem interested in hearing from an actual Ugandan?

Thanks for the twitter info. I'm starting to think that if I don't start twitting, I'll be like some octogenarian with rabbit ears on his television. But I clicked on your link and it looks fucking confusing. Just a long list of strangers posting blurts & links to whatever. Christ, this stuff really does make me feel ancient.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

The best thing is, this conversation is happening, and others like it. That is the power of social media. It will get pushed forward, and sorted out, because of the surge and ebb and flow of tweets and posts, in all directions. I agree with itw that it's a leveler.

It also gives me hope that, although serious, mass-consumption investigative reporting has all but died, social media can kick serious issues into the debate.

 

[JMohegan]

The best thing is, this conversation is happening, and others like it. That is the power of social media. It will get pushed forward, and sorted out, because of the surge and ebb and flow of tweets and posts, in all directions. I agree with itw that it's a leveler.

It also gives me hope that, although serious, mass-consumption investigative reporting has all but died, social media can kick serious issues into the debate.

Do you do the twitter thing? If so, who do you follow?

 

[Keroin]

I'm not looking for criticism, I'm looking for credible information. If awareness is the point of the Kony 2012 video (and this thread), why is it that so few seem interested in hearing from an actual Ugandan?

Well, I watched the Ugandan video. And here's the irony...that video is getting seen because of the "Slick and Ill-informed" video. Prior to that, who was listening to her? I wasn't. And that's what's great about something like this. Sure, for a lot of folks they'll just forward the link and forget about it, but others will educate themselves and search out multiple points of view and sources of information.

Thanks for the twitter info. I'm starting to think that if I don't start twitting, I'll be like some octogenarian with rabbit ears on his television. But I clicked on your link and it looks fucking confusing. Just a long list of strangers posting blurts & links to whatever. Christ, this stuff really does make me feel ancient.

Ha! I have a FB page I rarely use - but it keeps me in touch with the young people in my life.

As for Twitter...I tried. Not my thing. Too ADHD. I suppose at some point I will have to start Tweeting, for professional purposes, but...*shudders*