Thursday, May 27, 2010
Despande - Brandon
Shekhar Deshpande, in article "The Confident Gaze", he questions the ethics instituted by the National Geographic magazine. Deshpande states that some of the pictures in the magazine are only designed to make you happy, and not realize what is going on in the world. He claims "[i]t is as if that world needs to be posed in the appropriate way to the Western observer, he could not see it in its bare essentialities"(Deshpande), meaning that as Americans, or westerners in general, we aren't prepared to deal with the horrors of the third world. We do not want to see what is happening in the world, in its true form, and what we could be if he hadn't "marched" toward civilization. According to Deshpande, National Geographic believes "Human suffering becomes worth a good image", in that the poor living conditions of other countries, sometimes is only a money maker to them.
Deshpande Summary
In Shakhar Deshpande's essay 'The Confident Gaze' he describes National Graphic and its popularity. He goes on to describe a specific issue that was released in 1997 with the title 'India turning fifty'. On the cover of this issue is a close up on a thin child painted red. Deshpande comments on this stating that, "The "innocent" attractiveness of the photography of National Geographic, its ambiguous representation of the knower and the known...have made for the success of the magazine...it attempts to sanitize and universalize the uncomfortable as well as the different elements of other cultures." What I think this means is basically National Geographic success is based off information that is watered down for the 'Western eye'. focusing on the poverty of India and the country's progress on "catching up" with western society. Instead of focusing on more important issues as Deshpande points out "...the wars and the subsequent arms race since Independence. The regional conflicts are more important than the difficult conditions of people in keeping pace with their material wealth." What I think Despande means here is that Americans put an emphasis that the more stuff you have, the better off you are. He explains that a more important issue is the conflict that is experienced in India.
Summary of National Geographic by Alexandria
Alexandria Perezchica
English 100
5/27/10
Summary of National Geographic by Alexandria
The article “The Confident Gaze” by Shekhar Deshpande is regarding how National Geographic may not be giving their viewers an accurate aspect of life in other cultures. Deshpande seems to think the magazine isn’t fairly representing cultures because of the Western Society’s inability to understand it, because it is so foreign to them. Deshpande states “It is slick, technically flawless or even adventurous, and it attempts to sanitize and universalize the uncomfortable as well as different elements of other cultures” (2). The essence of Deshpande’s argument is that the editors of the magazine are trying to put other cultures in a type of box, one that our American society can comprehend and relate to. They are basing other cultures to have some of our ideology when in fact theirs is almost the complete opposite. The magazine is doing this to “make the world a happy place and a happy place especially for the Western eye” (2). An for the world to be a happy place the magazine often illustrates these authentic cultures to some what resemble the American ideology and values. So not to distress what Western society believes is the correct way of living.
I can understand why Deshpande is saying that National Geographic is misrepresenting these cultures, but I don’t believe it is their entire fault because they are only fulfilling consumerist needs by giving them what they want to see and read about. It is also known that the magazine is valued for its wonderful photography and the articles are there to give their readers enough information to make them feel connected to these cultures, but not enough to demonstrate what the culture is like as a whole.
Some magazines give you the ability to feel powerful and at a higher level than other people, yet at the same time permit you to have compassion for the people that you are criticizing. Deshpande is firm that this is how National Geographic is selling their product. Deshpande states “[t]he primitive, often a focus of the magazine, serves the same function by providing images of what ‘would have been’ if the West had not taken a march toward civilization” (3). Basically, Deshpande is saying that Western society can look at the images displayed in National Geographic and in a sense feel better about their lives because they feel they have made more progress than these “Third world” countries.
English 100
5/27/10
Summary of National Geographic by Alexandria
The article “The Confident Gaze” by Shekhar Deshpande is regarding how National Geographic may not be giving their viewers an accurate aspect of life in other cultures. Deshpande seems to think the magazine isn’t fairly representing cultures because of the Western Society’s inability to understand it, because it is so foreign to them. Deshpande states “It is slick, technically flawless or even adventurous, and it attempts to sanitize and universalize the uncomfortable as well as different elements of other cultures” (2). The essence of Deshpande’s argument is that the editors of the magazine are trying to put other cultures in a type of box, one that our American society can comprehend and relate to. They are basing other cultures to have some of our ideology when in fact theirs is almost the complete opposite. The magazine is doing this to “make the world a happy place and a happy place especially for the Western eye” (2). An for the world to be a happy place the magazine often illustrates these authentic cultures to some what resemble the American ideology and values. So not to distress what Western society believes is the correct way of living.
I can understand why Deshpande is saying that National Geographic is misrepresenting these cultures, but I don’t believe it is their entire fault because they are only fulfilling consumerist needs by giving them what they want to see and read about. It is also known that the magazine is valued for its wonderful photography and the articles are there to give their readers enough information to make them feel connected to these cultures, but not enough to demonstrate what the culture is like as a whole.
Some magazines give you the ability to feel powerful and at a higher level than other people, yet at the same time permit you to have compassion for the people that you are criticizing. Deshpande is firm that this is how National Geographic is selling their product. Deshpande states “[t]he primitive, often a focus of the magazine, serves the same function by providing images of what ‘would have been’ if the West had not taken a march toward civilization” (3). Basically, Deshpande is saying that Western society can look at the images displayed in National Geographic and in a sense feel better about their lives because they feel they have made more progress than these “Third world” countries.
The Confident Gaze - Emily M.
In our English 100 class on Tuesday afternoon we were asked to view a photograph from National Geographic. As students, we were just supposed to focus on the straight forward things that we noticed about the photograph. Things such as the colors being portrayed, basic things about the persons face, and shaping of the photo. Then we were asked to write down our thoughts about what each thing we noticed meant without reading the little excerpt about the photo. This was how we saw India for that day.
In Shakher Deshpande's article, "The Confident Gaze", this is sort of what he’s saying. That we put our own thoughts in a bowl and we pick out what we think, let’s say India, is about. We learn about their culture, and the people just from looking at a picture. We don’t see the pictures as hurt, pain, gore, or violence. We choose to see them as beautiful because that’s how the photographers from National Geographic pose them. Deshpande’s states, “We forget that photographs and the contexts in which they are placed represents a very conscious effort by the editors to make the world a happy place, and a happy place especially for the Western eye”(Deshpande- pg 2, paragraph 3). Here I believe that he’s saying we don’t want to think about the hardships that others are going through, when were millions of miles away from them to help. We look past the pain the picture is portraying and we focus on the beauty (India) is giving us.
I believe that Deshpande also leans on the idea that we, as the Western Culture, are the ones wanting to help everybody. We want to be able to view a people and say “wow”. That because a civilization is not like us, it is something to “Ah” over and view pictures of that we bring our own meaning to. National Geographic gives their readers what they want to see. But by this are they ignoring reality? National Geographic is meant to inform our culture of different societies, of different people. But are we really getting the whole picture through their photos, or are they simple covering up reality with beauty to allow us to continue living our lives without a care for those other civilizations?
In Shakher Deshpande's article, "The Confident Gaze", this is sort of what he’s saying. That we put our own thoughts in a bowl and we pick out what we think, let’s say India, is about. We learn about their culture, and the people just from looking at a picture. We don’t see the pictures as hurt, pain, gore, or violence. We choose to see them as beautiful because that’s how the photographers from National Geographic pose them. Deshpande’s states, “We forget that photographs and the contexts in which they are placed represents a very conscious effort by the editors to make the world a happy place, and a happy place especially for the Western eye”(Deshpande- pg 2, paragraph 3). Here I believe that he’s saying we don’t want to think about the hardships that others are going through, when were millions of miles away from them to help. We look past the pain the picture is portraying and we focus on the beauty (India) is giving us.
I believe that Deshpande also leans on the idea that we, as the Western Culture, are the ones wanting to help everybody. We want to be able to view a people and say “wow”. That because a civilization is not like us, it is something to “Ah” over and view pictures of that we bring our own meaning to. National Geographic gives their readers what they want to see. But by this are they ignoring reality? National Geographic is meant to inform our culture of different societies, of different people. But are we really getting the whole picture through their photos, or are they simple covering up reality with beauty to allow us to continue living our lives without a care for those other civilizations?
Jim on; Deshpande
Dr. Shekhar Deshpande is an Associate Professor and Director of the Communications Program at Arcadia University. Born in India, he ha taught a variety of courses in media and film studies, visual culture and cultural studies. He continues to publish in the areas of identity, media criticism and film and cultural studies (Arcadia Univ. website).In his article, “ The Confident Gaze”, Deshpande makes the claim that National Geographic Magazine give their subscribers, “ But a simple equation of progress “on our terms” would make this magazine blatantly ethnocentric” (pg3, par.2), and, “What attracts a common reader is that the magazine provides a balance of image of both, once irreconcilable aspects of life in other cultures. That increases the comfort level of its readers” (pg.3, par.2). Just to be clear on the meaning of ethnocentric, The American Heritage Dictionary defines ethnocentric as, “1.Belief in the superiority of one’s own ethnic group. 2. Overriding concern with race” (pg.450).
The thought that Deshpande is putting out there, is that National Geographic is showing the American people the world though a rose colored lens. NG tends to show us the world with beautiful imagines that perhaps take something away from the real suffering that may go on behind the actual reality of life in the culture that NG is deplicting. That in an almost slight of hand sort of way, NG is pandering to American ethnocentrism by showing, as Deshpande states, “colorful images of temple, equally “exotic” designs of the saris, and the color of piety and devotion in Indian’s multifaceted religions”(pg3, par,2). Although Deshpande is revering to an article in NG regarding India’s 50th aniversary of independence form British rule in this statement, the template is the same for all the cultures that NG presents to its subscribers.
I myself can not disagree with what Deshpande is saying in this article. I would say that he is right in his assessment of what the magazine does. I would also say that NG does not portray itself as anything but what Deshpande claims. NG does not consider itself a news magazine; NG claims that it is an exploration magazine, dedicated to exploration, education and science. NG is a non profit organization that is dedicated to the development of these causes. NG is a business that has been very successful in all these aspects while consistently maintaining one of the highest subscription memberships in the USA. NG makes no excuses for the way they run their organization or how they present the information they offer their subscribers. NG is giving their subscribers what they are paying for.
Is NG giving the American people a skewed view of the world? Or are they just giving their consumer what they want?
When we were given this article in our English class, I was quite surprised at the responses that were given to the picture, we were asked to analyze. It is a picture of young Indian boy of perhaps 10 to 12 years of age. The picture shows him from the shoulder up, colored in the Holi colors. I would say the comment that I heard the most, was that the child looked under fed. The child is slender in build, but I have found this to be a common trait among the people of warmer climates. I thought how easily a nation who's children suffers obesity in now epidemic proportion; quickly see a slender child as on the verge of starvation. Deshpande himself, when describing this child states, “(T)the cover page featuring a photograph of the face of a child with red Holi colors, with clear, intense dark eyes gripping the lens of the camera and the beholder of the image is striking”(pg.1par.3). As I gazed on this picture myself, it was the clear, intense dark eyes that received my attention. I saw nothing in the child’s eyes that told of starvation, misery impending doom or even the sadness that I see in so many American children’s eyes these days.
I have to wonder if the American point of view has changed a bit in resent years. Do we want to see the worst, even in the soft NG version of the world? Are Americans to a point were not even the washed down version of life on this planet, that Deshpande’s idea of National Geographic portrays, is enough to keep Americans happy? Have Americans become so unhappy with their culture that they seek others misery, even when it is just not there?
What will National Geographic do now?
The thought that Deshpande is putting out there, is that National Geographic is showing the American people the world though a rose colored lens. NG tends to show us the world with beautiful imagines that perhaps take something away from the real suffering that may go on behind the actual reality of life in the culture that NG is deplicting. That in an almost slight of hand sort of way, NG is pandering to American ethnocentrism by showing, as Deshpande states, “colorful images of temple, equally “exotic” designs of the saris, and the color of piety and devotion in Indian’s multifaceted religions”(pg3, par,2). Although Deshpande is revering to an article in NG regarding India’s 50th aniversary of independence form British rule in this statement, the template is the same for all the cultures that NG presents to its subscribers.
I myself can not disagree with what Deshpande is saying in this article. I would say that he is right in his assessment of what the magazine does. I would also say that NG does not portray itself as anything but what Deshpande claims. NG does not consider itself a news magazine; NG claims that it is an exploration magazine, dedicated to exploration, education and science. NG is a non profit organization that is dedicated to the development of these causes. NG is a business that has been very successful in all these aspects while consistently maintaining one of the highest subscription memberships in the USA. NG makes no excuses for the way they run their organization or how they present the information they offer their subscribers. NG is giving their subscribers what they are paying for.
Is NG giving the American people a skewed view of the world? Or are they just giving their consumer what they want?
When we were given this article in our English class, I was quite surprised at the responses that were given to the picture, we were asked to analyze. It is a picture of young Indian boy of perhaps 10 to 12 years of age. The picture shows him from the shoulder up, colored in the Holi colors. I would say the comment that I heard the most, was that the child looked under fed. The child is slender in build, but I have found this to be a common trait among the people of warmer climates. I thought how easily a nation who's children suffers obesity in now epidemic proportion; quickly see a slender child as on the verge of starvation. Deshpande himself, when describing this child states, “(T)the cover page featuring a photograph of the face of a child with red Holi colors, with clear, intense dark eyes gripping the lens of the camera and the beholder of the image is striking”(pg.1par.3). As I gazed on this picture myself, it was the clear, intense dark eyes that received my attention. I saw nothing in the child’s eyes that told of starvation, misery impending doom or even the sadness that I see in so many American children’s eyes these days.
I have to wonder if the American point of view has changed a bit in resent years. Do we want to see the worst, even in the soft NG version of the world? Are Americans to a point were not even the washed down version of life on this planet, that Deshpande’s idea of National Geographic portrays, is enough to keep Americans happy? Have Americans become so unhappy with their culture that they seek others misery, even when it is just not there?
What will National Geographic do now?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Summary of Deshpande - Darci Peterson
In his essay, "The National Geographic's Misty Lens", Shekhar Deshpande reminds the audience of the beautiful photography we see in National Geographic. The magazine is known for its brilliant photos. With that in mind, Deshpande brings to our attention that the photography is done to sell which means they take and present photos to appeal to the Western eye. He claims, "[W]e forget that the photographs and contexts in which they are placed represent a very conscious effort by the editors to make the world a happy place and a happy place especially for the Western eye" (pg. 2). This means that the Western eye, wants to see happy things and therefor, to sell magazines, National geographic sanatizes and shows the beauty of the world. There is some bias in the photography resulting in a misunderstanding of different cultures through dishonest visual stories.
Though out his essay Deshparde uses examples of stories that the pictures in National Geographic tell and what they have in common. As he explained before, a photo in their magazine shows only what the audience would like to see meaning that the information is censored or in a sense inaccurate. It is often the exotic people who are unlike our culture that draw our interest. Deshpante explains, "The primative, often a focus of the magazine,... [provide an image] of what 'would have been' if the West had not taken a march toward 'civilization'" (pg. 2). The West views the photos of other cultures that are different than the one we live in rather than civilized. This results in others using the West as an example. Social progress is considered to be change that brings a culture more like ours. The more cultures do this the more power we have to influence other cultures. Ultimately, Deshparde is claiming that the way we are shown the world by National Geographic is not completely true. The photography and techniques are used to both inform and sell, therefore there will be a balance of truth and entertainment. It is the world at a misted lens.
Though out his essay Deshparde uses examples of stories that the pictures in National Geographic tell and what they have in common. As he explained before, a photo in their magazine shows only what the audience would like to see meaning that the information is censored or in a sense inaccurate. It is often the exotic people who are unlike our culture that draw our interest. Deshpante explains, "The primative, often a focus of the magazine,... [provide an image] of what 'would have been' if the West had not taken a march toward 'civilization'" (pg. 2). The West views the photos of other cultures that are different than the one we live in rather than civilized. This results in others using the West as an example. Social progress is considered to be change that brings a culture more like ours. The more cultures do this the more power we have to influence other cultures. Ultimately, Deshparde is claiming that the way we are shown the world by National Geographic is not completely true. The photography and techniques are used to both inform and sell, therefore there will be a balance of truth and entertainment. It is the world at a misted lens.
confident gaze Meagan Cronin
In an essay by Shekhar Deshpande “The Confident Gaze”, she describes a photograph that was taken by a National Geographic photographer of an Indian boy all covered in red dust, with these huge dark brown eyes staring back at you that almost tell you a story and are full of emotion. He then also begins to go on describing how the magazine National Geographic is a magazine that uses pictures to draw in the reader. It is almost like the magazine does it on purpose, to make it so that people can look at the amazing pictures and still be able to somewhat understand what is going on in the article. Deshpande states “Its impact is felt most in the photographic realm. That says a lot. It could appeal to the semi-literate as well as to the literate by providing an entry into a field that needs to be taken with caution and respect for the “other” world”. (3) What Deshpande is meaning to get across with this quote is how if people are not that good of readers, being able to look at the pictures will still help them understand the story. I know that when I am looking at a National Geographic magazine I usually tend to just look at the pictures. Deshpande believes that National Geographic almost sugar coats the articles that they put out with pictures, like even though there might be a war going on for example photographers will take pictures of women and their children smiling. Deshpande states “While we admire the accomplishments of its photographers to bring us the rest of the world, we forget that the photographers and the contexts in which they are placed represent a very conscious effort by the editors to make the world a happy place and a happy place especially for the Western eye”. (3) Basically what Deshpande is saying is how, many of the photographs are taken in a somewhat positive setting. “and it attempts to sanitize and universalize the uncomfortable as well as different elements of other cultures”. (3) As the essay goes on Deshpande describes how in the magazine article it talks about the life in India “without any references to the real troubles of the people or the global conditions in which the country is implicated in”. (4)
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