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gusty ([info]gusty) wrote in [info]otf_wank,
@ 2006-05-22 19:39:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
A picture's worth a thousand opinions!
In the community [info]foundphotos, [info]iamcam_camiam posts a picture of an impoverished family outside of their home in Haiti.

The first couple of comments call the picture 'beautiful', and that's what sets off [info]misslaura: "Beautiful? Poverty has aesthetic value?"

There are then several arguments in the thread over if it's right or wrong to refer to the picture as 'beautiful'.

[info]ohhbackseatlove tries to get the community to 'cut him some slack', which of course only results in more arguments.

Wow. Who would have guessed a photograph someone accidentally dropped at Target would ignite such a fury?

(Post a new comment)


[info]doomsday
2006-05-23 12:10 am UTC (link)
These people must really hate National Geographic.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]gusty
2006-05-23 12:22 am UTC (link)
I'd assume so, considering:

"I'm sure poor people will survive without spoiled rich kids with $1500 cameras and six figure art degress taking their picture so that idiots on livejournal can wax poetic about how wonderful and amazing it is that poor people are still capable of emotion."

Ouch.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]azawakh, 2006-05-23 01:13 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]fevered_ego, 2006-05-23 02:46 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]hickorydickory, 2006-05-23 04:22 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]eljuno, 2006-05-23 06:42 am UTC

[info]scootermcgaffin
2006-05-23 12:26 am UTC (link)
You refuse to argue with people you don't know? Then why are you on the internet LOL

Because obviously the internet is for arguing.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]yattara, 2006-05-23 12:31 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]scootermcgaffin, 2006-05-23 12:34 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]yattara, 2006-05-23 12:36 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]scootermcgaffin, 2006-05-23 12:37 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]yattara, 2006-05-23 12:40 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]rotten_fish, 2006-05-23 12:58 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]moonjaguar, 2006-05-23 01:01 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]giventofly37, 2006-05-23 05:01 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]visp, 2006-05-23 06:27 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]puipui, 2006-05-23 01:13 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]jenny_atrox, 2006-05-23 05:11 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]puipui, 2006-05-23 05:20 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]jenny_atrox, 2006-05-23 05:24 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]v_digitalwytch, 2006-05-23 05:38 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]mcity, 2006-05-23 11:21 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]judyhazeleyes, 2006-05-24 04:32 pm UTC

[info]gal_montag
2006-05-23 12:36 am UTC (link)
It's pretty astonishing that people can take a photo of an impovrished family, living in a shack with no running water and go, "OMGZ, it's so beautiful, look at them smile even though they're so poor! Isn't it amazing that these people can still be happy even though they have nothing?" It's smacks so much of that "noble savage" bullshit.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]somnambulicious, 2006-05-23 01:00 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]chibikaijuu, 2006-05-23 01:52 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]hickorydickory, 2006-05-23 04:24 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]kittikattie, 2006-05-23 01:10 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]gal_montag, 2006-05-23 01:30 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]slackerbitch, 2006-05-23 02:22 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]seiberwing, 2006-05-23 02:39 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]fevered_ego, 2006-05-23 03:42 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]adora_spintriae, 2006-05-23 12:24 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 02:29 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]antigone, 2006-05-24 08:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]antigone, 2006-05-24 08:57 pm UTC
(no subject) - pink_lightning, 2006-05-23 03:43 am UTC
re
[info]dunmurderin
2006-05-23 01:03 am UTC (link)
I think it's a pretty picture if only because it seems well-composed to me, but yeah...the whole "isn't it amazing that poor people can be happy!?" thing is just...gnnn...

Kathy

(Reply to this)


(Anonymous)
2006-05-23 01:03 am UTC (link)
Aren't there a lot of the same wankers as there were in that recent adoption wank?

Point 2: I think it's a news photo. Not that anyone cares.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]gusty, 2006-05-23 01:05 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2006-05-23 01:26 am UTC

[info]benighted
2006-05-23 01:19 am UTC (link)
Not everything has to be laced with misery ALL the time, even negative things. The sooner people realize that, the sooner we can stop attributing every sad feeling to a chemical imbalance.

. . .

(absolutely speechless.)

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]azawakh, 2006-05-23 01:23 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]yattara, 2006-05-23 01:24 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]azawakh, 2006-05-23 01:31 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]yattara, 2006-05-23 01:32 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]miss_padfoot, 2006-05-23 02:54 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]darthmaligna, 2006-05-23 03:47 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]greenling, 2006-05-23 04:42 am UTC
You're so glib. - [info]darthmaligna, 2006-05-23 04:56 am UTC

[info]darkrose
2006-05-23 01:21 am UTC (link)
In the '20's, ohhbackseatlove probably would have gone to the Cotton Club and marvelled at how musical "those people" are.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 02:30 pm UTC

[info]esclaramonde
2006-05-23 01:23 am UTC (link)
It's not even a really pretty photo as far as, you know, photography goes.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]gusty, 2006-05-23 01:29 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]darthmaligna, 2006-05-23 03:48 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]gusty, 2006-05-23 12:27 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]seiberwing, 2006-05-23 02:13 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2006-05-23 05:12 am UTC

[info]beccastareyes
2006-05-23 01:41 am UTC (link)
You know the first thing I thought of when I heard the sentiment that negative things couldn't be beautiful is supernovae -- I mean, you have a dying star contracting suddenly into the densest stuff in the universe, then the outer layers rebounding violently off of the core. Course, that says nothing about pictures of families in poverty, only violently-exploding stars.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2006-05-23 02:41 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]beccastareyes, 2006-05-23 02:45 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]mael, 2006-05-24 03:05 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]beccastareyes, 2006-05-24 03:09 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]miss_padfoot, 2006-05-23 02:55 am UTC

[info]rotten_fish
2006-05-23 01:55 am UTC (link)
Poor = simple life = not any concerns like the ones other people are used to = let's stop right there before you start equating poor people with children, thanks.

Argh argh argh.

Anyway. Looks like a news photo to me, like the mousie mentioned. I think it needs more naked people to get "Poor people have horrible lives, but they're happy, so feel comfortably sorry and righteous for them and buy this photo with your Visa (it's everywhere you want to be!)" I mean, I can see it when pointed out, but when I saw "beautiful" thrown in there I was looking at the color contrast and the shadow line, and was confused. Though, hoolahoop in the background! Yeah, hoolahoop!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - pink_lightning, 2006-05-23 03:55 am UTC

[info]narcissam
2006-05-23 02:03 am UTC (link)
My aunt's a nun in Haiti, working with orphans mostly. Looks a lot like the pictures she sends home. Her letters make me want to cry. There's a good chance that the people in that picture have AIDS or TB. The infection and death rate is horribly high, and except for a few foreign missionaries, aid workers, and a permanent clinic run by the Cuban government, there isn't any affordable treatment for most of the people, so that they even die of utterly curable conditions. Also in childbirth.

If people can smile in those conditions, that is good for them, but there's something about a bunch of LJers going "Oooh! They're so happy!" that is a bit off-putting, knowing the situation closely. Which I hasten to say is probably a bit wanky on my part, but that's my gut reaction.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - pink_lightning, 2006-05-23 03:53 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]spawn_of_kong, 2006-05-23 03:11 pm UTC

[info]sarracenia
2006-05-23 02:07 am UTC (link)
I feel vaguely proud of myself for thinking that the composition of the photo just strikes me as just not quite right. If I ever learn how not to take pictures of my fingers, I may master photography yet!

Or, you know, not.

(Reply to this)


[info]skewed_tartan
2006-05-23 02:32 am UTC (link)
This reminds me of my aunt at her birthday party a few years back and she recieved a "writing journal" that had suggested topics to write about in it. One of the topics was "What about your childhood stands out the most in your mind?" or something along those lines.

With an incredulous look on her face she says, "We were poor." And added, "I remember underwear made out of flour sacks, powdered milk and eggs for dinner."

Of course she said it sarcastically and she meant to be funny but it illustrates the point poverty is not a fun way to live.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]mooncalf, 2006-05-23 02:54 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]skewed_tartan, 2006-05-23 03:02 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 02:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]funwithrage, 2006-05-23 06:02 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 06:10 pm UTC
This calls for Monty Burns
pink_lightning
2006-05-23 03:51 am UTC (link)
*cannot form a coherent sentence*
*chooses instead to march up to the OP and kick him squarely in the ass and smack him around the head*

Godammit, white people are stupid enough about these issues. HE IS NOT HELPING US GET BETTER ABOUT THIS. O.o *tic*

(Reply to this)


[info]darthmaligna
2006-05-23 03:53 am UTC (link)
On a lighter note, icon love for you. Help! does not get enough love.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]gusty, 2006-05-23 01:04 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 02:34 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]gusty, 2006-05-23 02:45 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 02:50 pm UTC

[info]greenling
2006-05-23 04:40 am UTC (link)
Hmph. I like old, dirty, poor-looking places partly because they remind me of the sort of places I lived as a child*, and to some degree still do. So nyah, I can pretend to be all morally superior about liking it.

*Not quite like that, but poor little rural-South places that looked like that, even if we had running water and electricity and so forth once you got in.</small?

(Reply to this)


[info]caribbeanblue
2006-05-23 04:53 am UTC (link)
I don't like either side of this wank that much. On the one side, dude, poverty is the ugliest thing going; on the other, anthropology is racist? bzuh?

...and no, please don't point me to debunkingwhite.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]bluenakedlady, 2006-05-23 11:16 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]marciamarcia, 2006-05-23 03:17 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]caribbeanblue, 2006-05-24 03:16 am UTC

[info]wrongly_amused
2006-05-23 06:20 am UTC (link)
Any beauty that it might have had aesthetically is certainly ruined - for me, at least - by the thought of how that family is living. :-/ God, it's heartbreaking to think how so many people struggle just to survive.

(Reply to this)


[info]heddychaa
2006-05-23 06:56 am UTC (link)
i'm of two minds. Poverty isn't beautiful, and I would never try to say that, but I think people are beautiful, and I think human strength is beautiful, and I think that the ability of any person to live through adverse circumstances is beautiful. It's not a "look at those simple little natives" thing, it's an "I am amazed by the ability of these people to survive and find happiness in horrific surroundings that I would probably instantly wilt in" thing. And yeah, I am a priviledged little white girl.

Not commenting on the artistic merit of the photo, I think that it is both something to be angry at (why are there people living like this on our watch) but also you have to admire the strength of any person who goes on knowing that there probably isn't a hope for them, and that their lives are of so little value to much of the world.

(Reply to this)


[info]solle
2006-05-23 08:07 am UTC (link)
I've gotten bashed over googling pictures of anorexia. 'Cause anorexia is pretty. And I like the lighting on the photographs.

I'm about as anti-ana as they get, folks. "Pretty" does not equal "just the way people should live, dum de-dum".

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]adora_spintriae, 2006-05-23 12:22 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]quinctia, 2006-05-23 03:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]zuzu, 2006-05-23 06:51 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]caribbeanblue, 2006-05-24 03:14 am UTC

[info]jar
2006-05-23 08:33 am UTC (link)
Yes. Because nothing can be both sad and beautiful at the same time.

(Reply to this)


[info]smo
2006-05-23 02:36 pm UTC (link)
I hadn't realized there was so much overlap between [info]foundphotos and [info]blackfolk. (I recognize a lot of the usernames from the latter community.)

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]darkrose, 2006-05-23 07:03 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]smo, 2006-05-23 07:41 pm UTC

[info]aegflota
2006-05-23 08:24 pm UTC (link)
The fact that I liked the house apparently makes me rich? What the fucking fuck?

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]aegflota, 2006-05-23 08:32 pm UTC

[info]mcity
2006-05-23 11:20 pm UTC (link)
There are then several arguments in the thread over if it's right or wrong to refer to the picture as 'beautiful'.
Wait, so a picture can't me evaluated on Aesthetic grounds regardless of content?

And no, it's not beuatiful. The composition is off.

(Reply to this)

  
   
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