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Squiggly_P
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« Reply #140 on: March 13, 2011, 04:44:15 PM » |
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I was watching them show that off on TV, and it really looks a lot to me like they've 'enhanced' the after images to make them look more bleak. Not that destruction on that scale is hard to make look bleak, but those images look like they've been run through some curves adjustments to make them look straight out of Mordor or something. It could just be the time of year and the time of day the images were taken that make them look that different, but given that it's the news media we're talking about, I'm willing to bet they've made a few alterations.
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:^)
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« Reply #141 on: March 13, 2011, 04:49:51 PM » |
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^ so... Should we feel less heartbroken for japan?
Or should we waste time being mad at the media?
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ஒழுக்கின்மை (Paul Eres)
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« Reply #142 on: March 13, 2011, 04:51:01 PM » |
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even if the colors were changed it doesn't change that the houses and trees are all not there anymore
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TheLastBanana
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« Reply #144 on: March 13, 2011, 05:03:31 PM » |
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It's really sad how stupid people can be. I somehow doubt there were many Facebook comments from Japan about how America deserved Hurricane Katrina.
My thoughts and condolences go out to anybody who who lives in or knows anybody who lives in Japan - those pictures are really terrifying.
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s0
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« Reply #145 on: March 13, 2011, 05:12:09 PM » |
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Okay, this makes me FUCKING ANGRY:
The worst one is the "that's how it feels to get bombed" guy. Even if that was sarcastic, it'd still be horrible.  |
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Squiggly_P
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« Reply #147 on: March 13, 2011, 07:16:12 PM » |
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^ so... Should we feel less heartbroken for japan?
Or should we waste time being mad at the media?
even if the colors were changed it doesn't change that the houses and trees are all not there anymore
You're both right, it's still an awful tragedy, it just bothers me a bit that they felt the need to do something like that. Like the images they got of the destruction weren't horrific looking enough. They may as well have painted rainbows and butterflies on the 'before' pictures, you know? It's just tacky and, to me at least, in poor taste. I won't dwell on it any further. |
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raiten
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« Reply #148 on: March 13, 2011, 07:26:45 PM » |
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I very much doubt they've changed the hue on those pictures or anything like that, have you ever used Google Earth? When you're on the border between two satellite images the same place can look like night and day. It's currently winter in northern Japan while the older pictures they're showing look lush enough to have been taken in summer/autumn. You can also tell from the shadows that they weren't taken during the same time of the day.
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« Last Edit: March 13, 2011, 07:47:32 PM by raiten »
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raiten
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« Reply #149 on: March 13, 2011, 07:35:43 PM » |
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Also personally I think it's slightly stupid to donate money to Japan atm, especially if your only goal is to help the current rescue efforts. Japan is one of the richest most industrialized countries in the world and I'm pretty sure the problem right now isn't money, but logistics. If you feel bad about the people in Japan, think of the nearly 5,000 people who die of AIDS every day, or the almost 16,000 children who die from starvation or other hunger-related causes. The same money you're willing to send to Japan could do a lot more good helping those suffering from extreme poverty.
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Μarkham
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« Reply #150 on: March 13, 2011, 07:51:59 PM » |
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I imagine Haiti's still dealing with the aftermath of their earthquake, and could still use some help, too.
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phubans
Indier Than Thou
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TIG Mascot
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« Reply #151 on: March 13, 2011, 07:56:42 PM » |
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I was thinking it would be cool to go over there personally and help clean up, but I don't know how somebody would go about doing that if it's even possible.
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raiten
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« Reply #152 on: March 13, 2011, 08:03:56 PM » |
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There's a tweet going around, supposedly a testimony from a survivor of the 1994 Kobe earthquake, that reads something like this (the original is in Japanese): "Among those who came to help us, I'm the most thankful towards the self-defence forces. Those who did the least good were the self-proclaimed volunteers. They couldn't help out with what was really needed and in the end, all they did was consume food and water which we were already short on." There's no source provided so I don't know if it's true, but I'm sure the sentiment is. People who aren't educated to help out in these situations won't be able to give much help. |
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phubans
Indier Than Thou
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« Reply #153 on: March 13, 2011, 08:06:34 PM » |
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Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't want to help out, anyways.
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supershigi
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« Reply #154 on: March 13, 2011, 08:09:29 PM » |
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^ so... Should we feel less heartbroken for japan?
Or should we waste time being mad at the media? even if the colors were changed it doesn't change that the houses and trees are all not there anymore QFT (I think that's the first time I've used that abbreviation) @Derek: Thank-you for the kind words, and for the link -- there's a lot of good information on there. @raiten: I've always felt that the argument "it's stupid to help these people, because there are these other people suffering" was a poor one. Primarily because the logic behind it makes it difficult to donate to any cause... I've participated in a number of fundraising efforts for a large spectrum of causes, and often times it's easy to look at any of them and say "well, these folks are suffering... but not nearly as badly as these other people." The vast majority of donations related to this current crisis are going to large organizations who earmark funds accordingly. With Red Cross for example, if you donate with the purpose of helping Japan, and they already have enough money to supply resources (and are only struggling with allocating said resources), that money will be routed elsewhere to other international relief efforts (which includes Haiti and other lesser known catastrophes). When you donate to Red Cross' international branch, you're basically donating to whatever multitude of relief efforts they are handling at the time. There are a number of other major organizations that function the same way. It's also worth noting that regardless of Japan's economic prosperity, it doesn't mean they are financially equipped to handle the now quarter of a million new homeless people, the large-scale clean-up associated with giant sludge waves wiping out entire coastal towns, the rebuilding of airports, businesses, hospitals, schools, etc. There are also problems with generalizing things like, "there are 5,000 dying of AIDS"... 1.) There is an assumption being made that there is an objective gauge for suffering that everyone should follow, 2.) These generalizations don't take into account the bureaucratic and governmental barriers that prevent aid from effectively reaching those who have AIDS in the most high-risk areas. My sister spent a lot of time in South Africa researching AIDS populations, governmental perpetuation of cultural elements that actually facilitate the spread of AIDS and HIV, and problems within the infastructure that make it really difficult for foreign aid to actually get where it needs to go. It's sad really... But at least now, NGOs that work with the AIDS problem are realizing that they need to work towards changing the infastructure and the way the government disseminates information and handles funds first, before foreign aid can reach those in need... This needs to happen first. So generally saying "all these people die of AIDS" is a rather hollow statement... If you want to help those suffering from AIDS it makes much more sense to get involved in an organization that is working towards changing the governmental structure which precludes the effectiveness of foreign aid. Both my sister and I worked with organizations like this and the problem isn't money... it's getting people who want to devote time to working with governments about educating the people and changing the system. The government now literally perpetuates cultural myths that actually spread HIV. The vast majority of these high-risk AIDS populations believe that HIV doesn't lead to AIDS, they belive that sleeping with a virgin will cure HIV, etc. There needs to be a mentality shift, which requires governmental cooperation. I could go on about the 16,000 starving people generalization as well, but I think you get what I'm saying... Basically, I don't think it's fair to assume there's an objective gauge for what cause is the most deserving. Also, donating to large scale organizations will result in money going where it's most needed in terms of foreign relief efforts. |
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« Last Edit: March 13, 2011, 08:22:25 PM by supershigi »
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slembcke
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« Reply #155 on: March 13, 2011, 08:32:40 PM » |
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So which is worse?
A) Someone that really relishes in the thought about it being justice for Pearl Harbor, even though it happened so long ago. I mean that was when my grandparents were born.
B) Someone that couldn't give a crap about either Pearl Harbor or Japan, but is just getting their jollies from giving people grief.
I'm somewhat convinced that most of that Facebook crap is B. I also think that makes it even more sad. It's sad enough when people hate someone enough to wish them harm because they have a stupid grudge, but finding amusement in the suffering of others and going out of your way to cause them grief is just plain sick.
@raiten: I kind of a agree (though I feel like a bastard to say it). Japan is heavily developed enough and are pretty well equipped to handle the situation. On the other hand, it's hard to be objective about this sort of thing and make it into a numbers game. While the displaced survivors are probably better off than the average person in some countries, they are also easier to reach. I dunno, don't discourage people to donate/volunteer/help when they feel compelled to. Be an advocate to convince them to donate more broadly if that was your point.
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Theophilus
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« Reply #156 on: March 13, 2011, 08:32:56 PM » |
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I wish a poor indie like me could help.
Shame I bought Pokemon White before this happened.
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raiten
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« Reply #157 on: March 13, 2011, 08:33:47 PM » |
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There's no objective gauge for anything - but morally, we gauge stuff. Donating money to the Israeli army is different from donating money to a hospital in Gaza. Donating money to the current rescue efforts in Japan is different from donating money to Haiti, etc, etc. I don't think you should feel this argument makes it impossible to donate for any cause, but instead feel, whenever you get that pang of guilt from watching the news, that this is a good opportunity to donate to the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières or any well-respected charity that works in more than one place. Also, donating to large scale organizations will result in money going where it's most needed in terms of foreign relief efforts. Yes, that's what I think you should do, I was reacting to you saying you wanted to donate to the rescue effort specifically. |
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raiten
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« Reply #158 on: March 13, 2011, 08:38:11 PM » |
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I dunno, don't discourage people to donate/volunteer/help when they feel compelled to. Be an advocate to convince them to donate more broadly if that was your point.
That was my intention, might have come off the wrong way though. |
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raiten
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« Reply #159 on: March 13, 2011, 08:43:50 PM » |
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Player
