On the Decline

The World Wildlife Fund is a conservation organization and their mission is "to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.”

In 2008, the WWF had a number of different agencies from around the world come up with thought and emotion-provoking ads. The ones they deemed the most impressionable were given the WWF stamp and were released. One that really caught my attention was titled “Evolution.” It portrays the usual monkey to human transformation, but with an interesting twist. After the “man” character, meant to depict humans like us, there are two more “man” characters, but instead of “walking” on a slight increase, they are walking down. The last character is almost up to his hips in water.

At first glance, the ad’s argument is slightly confusing. At a closer glance it’s still confusing. Since humans have all the power, they are obviously the ones that need to work towards this state of harmony. So what does the man going down into the water say? Since there’s barely any text in the ad, it can be read two different ways. The WWF wants harmony. One could say the man going into the water is a visible representation of harmony, an attempt to reach equilibrium. Instead, of being on a higher level than animals, this ad can argue that we need to be on the same level.

However, another person could look at this same ad and interpret it in a completely different way. Instead of the water being a positive symbol, it could represent the metaphorical drowning of the human race. Drowning from what though? It’s important to not forget that the WWF wants a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment. Therefore, they are most likely sending a warning through this ad. If we don’t work to protect other creatures and the environment, humans will suffer. While this may seem like a stretch, especially because the ad itself doesn't have any animals in it, based on the WWF’s goals as an organization, this makes total sense.

This ad visually catches people’s attention because there’s little text, and most people recognize the “evolution” image. This ad perfectly speaks to its audience, human beings. People care way more about issues when those issues have the capability of affecting themselves or people they care about. This ad is overtly showing the decline of the human race. It’s covertly screaming the message that humans need to get their shi+ together and start taking care of the environment or else we’re going to suffer horribly. Whether that method is successful is up in the air. While the ad certainly captures people’s attention, is that enough to motivate them to do something about it?

"WWF - Endangered Species Conservation." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

And Get Along With Each Other

Arthur the aardvark lives in beautiful Elwood City with his father, mother, and two younger sisters. He likes riding bikes, Bionic Bunny comics, and being with his friends. He’s portrayed as a very optimistic and open kid and he’s friends with a diverse group of people.

Arthur comes into conflict with his younger sister DW in a plethora of episodes. Like most preschoolers, DW believes she’s invincible and wants to do things just like her older brother. She frequently tries to hang out with Arthur and his friends. Naturally, this annoys Arthur, and in order to dissuade he uses the excuse that, “she’s too little.”  When she wanted to ride a two-wheeler he advised against it and, like most other times, she paid that warning no mind. She ended up riding into a fence, someone else’s garage, and into a garbage can, but eventually she got the hang of it. While it may seem minor, her actions display the importance of perseverance and believing in oneself.

In many ways Arthur reinforces stereotypes in its display of what’s normal. The “smart” kid is literally named Brain, the bully is the biggest kid and has missing teeth, and with the exception of Francine, the girls wear dresses or some article of clothing that is pink or purple.  Oftentimes when the Brain talks, the other characters get tired of what he’s saying and either stop listening or ask him to stop talking. Muffy, who is rich, is obsessed with talking about things she has, and acts like a snob more than a couple of times. 

However, Arthur is certainly a show that promotes diversity and acceptance.  The characters are from all around the world and there have been full episodes in which Arthur and his friends learn about other countries and cultures. In the “Christmas” episode, Hanukah and Kwanzaa are represented as the episode not only follows the traditions of Arthur, but Francine and the Brain who are Jewish and Senegalese respectively. What stands out the most about the show is its inclusion and representation of those with disabilities and disorders. I watched an episode surrounding a character that has Asperger’s. Arthur had evidently gone on hiatus because he wasn't in the episode, so the main character was a moose named George. George goes to the library and meets a boy named Carl who doesn't look him in the eye or seem to show much emotion. George brings out his puppet which startles Carl and he starts crying. George is taken aback and Carl’s mother reassures him that he didn't do anything wrong, Carl has Asperger’s and is extremely sensitive to new things. The rest of the episode includes George finding out more about the syndrome and at the end the two boys have become close friends. George’s complete acceptance of Carl, and that he never considered the syndrome as a reason to not be kind to him makes him a really strong role model. If young children see total acceptance at an early age they’ll be more inclined to exhibit that behavior.

Arthur is fairly good showing its viewers a glimpse of what life is really look. With its diverse cast of characters it teaches kids acceptance and the importance of being considerate to one another.

Nothing At All

Dull. Physically, and somewhat literally that’s what this room is. The walls are off white, the ceiling is jet-black, and the floor is a mixture of white and tan. There are no windows, which makes the room not only frigid, but dark as well. The fifteen or so desks in the room are also tan, cold, and hard. The light, though dim, reflects off all the whitish surfaces. Visually, it looks similar to a criminal interrogation room.

 Well, that’s not a surprise. This room is intended for “trouble-makers.” Those people who have crossed the line, made bad decisions, and deserve to be punished. The administration sends people there to learn a lesson. Or send a warning to others. Maybe both. I’m not sure.

 The room teaches a lesson. It literally sends a warning. That’s what it’s so dull. That’s why there aren't any windows. It’s warning people about what will happen if they keep breaking the rules. Light represents hope and joy. It’s light that guides sailors home safely. There’s no light in this room. The room is giving people a preview of the future. If they keep breaking the rules that’s what their life will be. There will be no hope. No joy. It’ll be dull, dark, and hard.

 The room radiates negative energy. The people in it feel sad, ashamed, or angry. Those outside of it feel uncomfortable, disappointed, and dismayed. Everything about the room is negative. And that’s it’s purpose right? So did the people who designed the room have that in mind? Did they intend to build a negative energy filled room? Is that even possible? I say no. A room is simply a room. It’s how the room is used, how the room is arranged, and who is in the room that matters. This room could radiate positive energy. Its walls could be filled with drawings and artwork. The bland colors could be viewed as simple, but classic. The lack of light could make the room seem cozy, almost den-like. It could be a place to hang out with friends, rest, relax, and escape the pressure of life for a little bit.

 It could be. It’s not though. It comes down to the purpose of the room. The purpose of the room, of ISS, is to punish people. As a result of the purpose, one sees the rest of the room through a negative lens. The features of the room and the things inside it then seem to work together to make the argument that the room is undesirable and you shouldn't want to go there.