Project Four: An Inconvenient Truth
An Inconvenient Truth featuring Al Gore is a hard hitting film centered on the hard truth of global climate change. Gore presents information in this film that is both shocking and mind-blowing to the typical person who has ignored the climate their entire life. Gore stresses throughout the film many different topics and in the end, he wants everyone to be the change that is needed to turn this environment around or at least be the one that helps slow down the process of tearing the Earth apart day by day. This film is a lot to handle the first time that you view it but Gore does a great job of appealing to your emotions to help persuade you to agree with the fact that, you are part of destroying the Earth and you need to change your lifestyle or the generations after you will be worse. This film can be considered successful or unsuccessful for many different reasons but at the end of the film, I felt the same about the climate crisis as non-existent. The more I thought about the topic and began to research more into the matter, my feelings began to change and felt a new growing concern for the environment. This new concern was achieved through the hard facts presented by Gore and being reinforced through research.
There are several different types of committees and organizations that have been set up across the world and the more you read through the materials, you quickly discover the growing concern for the environment and what the true issues are for the people of the world. All the facts that Gore presented throughout the film seemed to be relevant and holding the truth due to his large involvement in the climate crisis and through more reading his facts begin to become reoccurring and this is not a large surprise. According to the Climate Change Front and Center at World Economic Forum, I discovered more information regarding the facts that Gore presented in the film. Gore referred to images containing mountains that were once snow covered and over time due to global warming have begun losing this snow and has caused problems throughout different parts of the world. In this article it also refers to the topic and it focuses on California which is closer to us and is easier to grasp than parts of the world that we have never seen before. They discussed at the Climate Change Front and Center at World Economic Forum that California is losing snow coverage in the Sierra Mountains which is a cause of global warming and this is a source of drinking water for these people and if these mountains lost snow coverage it can result in a terrible outcome for the citizens of California (Climate). So do you want to lose your drinking water because you just had to take an extra five minutes in the shower?
Over time the thought of global warming was a small topic that people were just simply overlooking but Gore believed for the longest time that the world was warming up, but information presented by the scientist in various fields concluded that this was not true and that they thought the world was actually getting colder. How is the atmosphere temperature decreasing if mountains that used to be covered in snow are now bare? According to Than, I found that we were provided with the wrong information regarding the atmosphere temperature, and this was not due to the lack of intelligence of the scientist but due to the equipment used to record these temperatures dating back to the 1970’s, which was inaccurate and different than today. This equipment from the 1970’s provided a false temperature read out and in the end provided the wrong base for comparing temperatures (Than). Gore presents all this information throughout his film, but you do not consider it to be nothing but just another fact that he has found over time, but after reading some more information you begin to believe his statements even more.
Gore has been faced with many people that are opposed to his claims and these are mostly centered around the oil and coal industry which are focusing strongly on profits and not the future of the world. The Exxon Mobil Corporation is one the largest companies in the world and is responsible for some of the highest profits ever recorded and which is all gained from oil. Gore states in the film that the reduction of oil will cause a great reduction in the release of greenhouse gases and will slow down the global warming affect. Exxon has a different view on this and before the release of the film, Exxon donated a large sum of money to unveil two commercials that are known as global warming alarm that provides information regarding the decrease in burning of fossil fuels to reduce emissions (Shakir). Why would Exxon release commercials that are harmful to their bottom line? Exxon released these TV ads to avoid responsibility for the global warming crisis and did not want consumers of their oil to rebel against them due to the Gore film, and Exxon is responsible for the burning of these precious fossil fuels and a major role in the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. Recent studies from scientist conclude that global warming is based on human activities and this is no surprise because we as people are always looking to get the most money possible and ruining the future has never been top priority until recent years (Shakir).
The Exxon Mobil Company is a prime example of a company that is only concerned about the bottom line and through its notorious funding of anti-climate change has been providing information that confuses citizens and keeps bringing more money in. These claims made by Exxon are false and they have cut spending for these anti-climate change organizations to cover themselves for providing a product that is ruining the environment (Legum). An Inconvenient Truth stresses the thought of caring more and not worrying about the now but the future and Gore’s use of a personal connection to providing a better future for his son is an example of what he is trying to convey to these large industries. If Exxon Mobil were to be more focused about providing a better future for the generations to come after them, they will start a revolution for change for the climate crisis. Obviously, a decrease in emissions from fossils is the next step in stopping global warming but is it enough?
According to Alan Zarembo, achieving such a reduction of emissions that would show significant gains of the reverse of global warming are almost impossible. Replacing all fossil-fueled electricity power plants worldwide with wind, solar, and nuclear energy solutions would result in a 39 percent reduction on the Earth. This reduction is an unachievable task in my opinion; it is not possible to think that removing all these power planets is not going to hurt the Earth even more. In most cases it takes more of fossil fuels being burnt to convert to these new forms of energy. These methods are currently not efficient enough and right now are causing more harm to the planet than good. During the film Gore expresses an immediate need to change our lifestyles to help reduce our carbon footprint and his use of facts are relevant but do not take in count of the big picture. In reducing the carbon footprint, the Earth will be better off in the future but we can no expect significant changes right away.
Change is needed to improve our lives and the lives of generations to come. This change is urgent and with participation from all aspects of the planet, change can come. An Inconvenient Truth is a film that educates the viewers and with education comes change. After viewing this film and gaining insight into the horrible climate situation, I feel that we as Americans, the largest producers of CO2 emissions need to start a revolution for change and provide a brighter future for the generations to come. Gore is an influential player in the global climate crisis and through his great forms of persuasion, I am left with one question recirculating in my mind; What can I do now to help give my children a better future and what are they going to do to provide the next generation with an even better future?
Works Cited
"Climate Change Front and Center at World Economic Forum." Truthout (2007): n. pag. Web. 25 Oct 2010.
Legum, Judd. "ExxonMobil Stops Funding Competitive Enterprise Institute ." Thinkprogress (2006): n. pag. Web. 27 Oct 2010.
Shakir, Faiz. "Big Oil Launches Attack On Al Gore." Think Progress (2006): n. pag. Web. 25 Oct 2010.
Than , Ker. "Key Argument for Global Warming Critics Evaporates." (2005): n. pag. Web. 25 Oct 2010.
Zarembo, Alan. "Game Over on Global Warming?." Truthout (2007): n. pag. Web. 27 Oct 2010.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Rhetorical Analysis
An Inconvenient Truth featuring Al Gore is a film displaying the problems centered around global warming or climate change as it is being referred to now in present time. This film focuses on the viewer’s emotions and plays off that to make have different feelings towards this topic than ever before. The start of the film starts off with Al Gore trying to position himself as a non-politician by bringing in a personal story about his past and making the viewer to be able to have more of a connection with Gore. During the middle of the movie, Gore focuses strongly on the core of the movie which is global warming. He uses fact after fact to display his growing concern for the environment and what is not being done to stop anything from getting any worse. After presenting all these hard facts and background information within his personal life, Gore expresses his emotions with the viewers, through the use of a strong voice and trying to bring to attention to everyone that change needs to be done and it needs to be done by each and every American. After watching the film many different claims can be made about the film but one strong one comes to mind after viewing the film.
The film’s central claim is that as American’s we need to change our ways for it will be worse for the next generation. Gore presents many facts that hit the viewer hard and directly affects the emotions of them. The fact that Gore presents throughout the film make the viewers want to start a change and want their children to have a better life than them, and not have to focus on the falling of planet Earth. This film focuses strongly on emotions and it has a different effect on everyone who watches it.
This movie personally did not affect my emotions as much as it did my fellow classmates. After being surrounded by all the media involved with climate change, I feel that it is something that is being blown out of proportion. I understand that things are changing but I feel that comes with modernization. My fellow classmates seemed to be very moved by the film and started to see a possible different light on the subject. Everyone expresses that we need to change our ways to protect the future, but no one ever follows through with these thoughts. The thought of going green is a great idea but until the day that everyone starts to walk to work instead of driving or uses solar energy to power their homes instead of coal, will be the day that there will be a noticeable change. Al Gore does not do this, so why does he expect me too? Gore is a very passionate man about this topic and that is a great thing to have when you are trying to cause such a movement, but after failing so many times, the American people are starting to lose faith in him, no matter how he presents the information. Overall Gore presents his information in a very effected way but it is not making a lasting impact on the American people and that is one of the main problems surrounded around the climate criss.
An Inconvenient Truth featuring Al Gore is a film displaying the problems centered around global warming or climate change as it is being referred to now in present time. This film focuses on the viewer’s emotions and plays off that to make have different feelings towards this topic than ever before. The start of the film starts off with Al Gore trying to position himself as a non-politician by bringing in a personal story about his past and making the viewer to be able to have more of a connection with Gore. During the middle of the movie, Gore focuses strongly on the core of the movie which is global warming. He uses fact after fact to display his growing concern for the environment and what is not being done to stop anything from getting any worse. After presenting all these hard facts and background information within his personal life, Gore expresses his emotions with the viewers, through the use of a strong voice and trying to bring to attention to everyone that change needs to be done and it needs to be done by each and every American. After watching the film many different claims can be made about the film but one strong one comes to mind after viewing the film.
The film’s central claim is that as American’s we need to change our ways for it will be worse for the next generation. Gore presents many facts that hit the viewer hard and directly affects the emotions of them. The fact that Gore presents throughout the film make the viewers want to start a change and want their children to have a better life than them, and not have to focus on the falling of planet Earth. This film focuses strongly on emotions and it has a different effect on everyone who watches it.
This movie personally did not affect my emotions as much as it did my fellow classmates. After being surrounded by all the media involved with climate change, I feel that it is something that is being blown out of proportion. I understand that things are changing but I feel that comes with modernization. My fellow classmates seemed to be very moved by the film and started to see a possible different light on the subject. Everyone expresses that we need to change our ways to protect the future, but no one ever follows through with these thoughts. The thought of going green is a great idea but until the day that everyone starts to walk to work instead of driving or uses solar energy to power their homes instead of coal, will be the day that there will be a noticeable change. Al Gore does not do this, so why does he expect me too? Gore is a very passionate man about this topic and that is a great thing to have when you are trying to cause such a movement, but after failing so many times, the American people are starting to lose faith in him, no matter how he presents the information. Overall Gore presents his information in a very effected way but it is not making a lasting impact on the American people and that is one of the main problems surrounded around the climate criss.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Shayne Applegarth
Mudd
29 September 2010
Rhetorical Defense
Alden Library
The Alden Library is extremely essential building in a college students life at Ohio University and it was not any different back in 1966 when it was constructed. One of the largest buildings on campus dedicated to one purpose and one purpose only; to provide a stable learning environment. The Vernon R. Alden Library was named after the fifteenth president of Ohio University and was proclaimed for him right before his resignation from the University. The Alden Library was completed in 1969 and later was expanded in 1972 to house more than one million volumes and many different types of electronic files. The expansion of the library was a great mark in the history of Ohio University and was a large topic among students. The use of a flyer to promote this event is effective way of promoting and informing students and it has a many rhetorical ways of doing so.
The obvious audience of this flyer is college students who use the library to expand their learning or to reinforce it. This flyer is very catering to a college students mind set, which is a simple task to do. Students want to observe a flyer that is short, simple and to the point and this flyer reflects that. The use of a large heading, a picture and quick facts helps a student retain the information trying to be presented. The large heading grabs the attention of the viewer, a picture keeps the viewer focused on the main idea of the paper, and the short and quick facts, keeps the reader from becoming bored with the flyer and ignoring it. The style of this flyer also reflects how the audience is portrayed to students in the fact that it is in black and white and that was the colors used back when the library was being expanded and this shows that it is something that is not completely off the map and it is important information. The main point of this flyer is to grab the attention of students provide them with some information that is extremely helpful.
The sole purpose of any flyer is to inform the reader and through different techniques this can be achieved and provide an appropriate form of information. The use of certain features makes this flyer very purposeful. Providing students with the information needed to inform them of a growing library in a simple way to get the point across without beating it into the ground and using short facts and a picture displays a student friendly flyer. This flyer has different conventions compared to today’s normal flyers which are very colorful with many different things going on all in one picture, which make it friendlier to the students. The rules of today were broke in designing this flyer by using a black and white color scheme with simple facts and no crazy artwork or other distracting things going on, but back in 1972 when a flyer like this would be coming out you would not be seeing all this computer generated flyers because it simply did not exist. The new flyers are not bad but the use of all the newer features would not be a purposeful thing to use in a flyer that is going to be dated back to 1972. Having a flyer for a library was a very hard topic to cover and having it back to a period in which I was not around for was even harder.
The Alden Library is of course an important place but is not typically put on a flyer and posted or handed out on the Ohio University campus. Having information to put on the flyer was extremely hard to decide what someone would actually read and pay a little bit of attention to. With having the first flyer a bust, with simple facts and bright background but overall boring, I decided to switch gears in a sense. I tried to imagine myself back in 1972 and visualize what I thought I would see on a flyer for an expanding library on campus. To no surprise I came up with a simple black and white flyer that would grab the attention of someone walking by it and realize that it is somewhat interesting. Everything I did in this flyer, I did in a rhetorical way and the main goal was to keep it simple and something that I thought would capture the essence of the library back then. The library is a vital building in any learning environment and is something that should be recognized if there is a major change in it.
Mudd
29 September 2010
Rhetorical Defense
Alden Library
The Alden Library is extremely essential building in a college students life at Ohio University and it was not any different back in 1966 when it was constructed. One of the largest buildings on campus dedicated to one purpose and one purpose only; to provide a stable learning environment. The Vernon R. Alden Library was named after the fifteenth president of Ohio University and was proclaimed for him right before his resignation from the University. The Alden Library was completed in 1969 and later was expanded in 1972 to house more than one million volumes and many different types of electronic files. The expansion of the library was a great mark in the history of Ohio University and was a large topic among students. The use of a flyer to promote this event is effective way of promoting and informing students and it has a many rhetorical ways of doing so.
The obvious audience of this flyer is college students who use the library to expand their learning or to reinforce it. This flyer is very catering to a college students mind set, which is a simple task to do. Students want to observe a flyer that is short, simple and to the point and this flyer reflects that. The use of a large heading, a picture and quick facts helps a student retain the information trying to be presented. The large heading grabs the attention of the viewer, a picture keeps the viewer focused on the main idea of the paper, and the short and quick facts, keeps the reader from becoming bored with the flyer and ignoring it. The style of this flyer also reflects how the audience is portrayed to students in the fact that it is in black and white and that was the colors used back when the library was being expanded and this shows that it is something that is not completely off the map and it is important information. The main point of this flyer is to grab the attention of students provide them with some information that is extremely helpful.
The sole purpose of any flyer is to inform the reader and through different techniques this can be achieved and provide an appropriate form of information. The use of certain features makes this flyer very purposeful. Providing students with the information needed to inform them of a growing library in a simple way to get the point across without beating it into the ground and using short facts and a picture displays a student friendly flyer. This flyer has different conventions compared to today’s normal flyers which are very colorful with many different things going on all in one picture, which make it friendlier to the students. The rules of today were broke in designing this flyer by using a black and white color scheme with simple facts and no crazy artwork or other distracting things going on, but back in 1972 when a flyer like this would be coming out you would not be seeing all this computer generated flyers because it simply did not exist. The new flyers are not bad but the use of all the newer features would not be a purposeful thing to use in a flyer that is going to be dated back to 1972. Having a flyer for a library was a very hard topic to cover and having it back to a period in which I was not around for was even harder.
The Alden Library is of course an important place but is not typically put on a flyer and posted or handed out on the Ohio University campus. Having information to put on the flyer was extremely hard to decide what someone would actually read and pay a little bit of attention to. With having the first flyer a bust, with simple facts and bright background but overall boring, I decided to switch gears in a sense. I tried to imagine myself back in 1972 and visualize what I thought I would see on a flyer for an expanding library on campus. To no surprise I came up with a simple black and white flyer that would grab the attention of someone walking by it and realize that it is somewhat interesting. Everything I did in this flyer, I did in a rhetorical way and the main goal was to keep it simple and something that I thought would capture the essence of the library back then. The library is a vital building in any learning environment and is something that should be recognized if there is a major change in it.
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