For the first half of the year in this class we have focused on problems facing our environment and how to protect it. We have discussed Global Warming and our diminishing resources. We’ve posted blogs about alternative forms of energy, light pollution, green architecture, and much more. But something we haven’t really addressed is the different ways people and organizations are making others aware of these problems. For me, one of the most interesting, and I think successful, ways people are creating environmental awareness is through music.
Modest Mouse is one of these musical groups many of you probably know about. Using their fame and musical talent, they wrote a song titled “King Rat” on their new album, ‘No One’s First, and You’re Next’. Modest Mouse got together with Heath Ledger soon after they wrote “King Rat” and worked to produce a video. If you click on the link below you can watch the video they created. As you can see the video, along with the song, addresses whaling and its horrors in a clear and vivid way. With graphic images of people being harpooned by whales it challenges the viewer’s perspective. People are accustomed too seeing whales being harpooned, but suddenly when the situation is reversed, it’s not so easy to watch. This video was hard for me to watch, especially when the whales were skinning the humans, even though it is just a cartoon. But it really made me think about how horrible whaling is and made me want to stand up against it; I’m sure it has motivated many others as well.
Another example of people using music to create awareness can be seen even with college kids like us. If you go to the YouTube link I have attached, you can watch a video of my boyfriend’s roommates down in Santa Monica. They are aspiring artists who call themselves Last Name Basis. This song they wrote is about conservation and just a way for them to let people know, mainly their fans, what’s going on in the environment. It’s entertaining, funny, and has a good message. Things like this really show me that anyone can have an effect whether it is large or small.
I am not trying to call anyone into action with this blog post. I just want to let people know how easy it is to get involved and help save the environment in their own way. You can use the talents you have or take something you’re interested in and find a way to help save or educate about the environment.
http://vodpod.com/watch/2009757-modest-mouse-king-rat-directed-by-heath-ledger-vdeo-demyspace-australia-vdeo-do-myspace
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9 comments:
Katelyn,
FAB post. I myself am a huge fan of music and groups that use their music to promote a good cause. I actually have a friend who spent her senior internship as well as summer working for Reverb in Portland, ME, which is "a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2004 by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her musician husband, Adam Gardner of Guster. Reverb provides turn-key greening programs for artists' tours while conducting grassroots outreach and education with music fans everywhere." While she found out about the organization through Guster, our favorite band, she joined the Reverb team because of the way it promoted environmental awareness. You guys should check it out-- www.reverb.com
Once again, nice job.
Hi Katelyn,
Great post. I watched the Modest Mouse video and found it provocative and effective. Your post reminds me of one of the important functions of the artist- persuading people to confront issues and look at things in a new way. Thoreau certainly did this with his writing, and his thinking continues to provoke people who read his work today- like us.
I'm not sure I agree that we are "used to" seeing images of whales being harpooned. In fact, I think that's one of the problems. People don't see the harpooning, or the butchering of animals on factory farms, or the inhumane conditions of a dairy farm, and so don't feel responsible for such things when they buy their food. Groups like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) work on that assumption; much of their literature contains graphic and disturbing images of animals being mistreated in labs, on farms etc. Really interesting post. Thanks, Katelyn. I'm going to check out your boyfriend's video next
Thanks, Katelyn! I'll check out the link as soon as I finish this comment.
The well-known environmentalist Bill McKibbon (who started 350.org) has been especially outspoken about the need for creativity in all its forms in addressing environmental issues. Music is a great example. Many visual artists, performers of all kinds, musicians, and writers are lending their creativity to local and global efforts. And creativity doesn't have to be about making "art." So Katelyn, you're absolutely right: everyone can do something. Thanks.
Although the video is disturbing and graphic, it gets its point across. I did not know that there was such a movement to use music to get people aware of the environment and our effect on the natural world. It makes sense though because music, like art, is a universal medium and can be used to educate and influence people all over the world. Music and art are also less intimidating for some people than more scholarly forms used to create awareness. This way, a more diverse group of people is becoming aware of what is going on. What a creative idea! And Katelyn, you are right that we can all use our own individuals talents in order to help save the environment. There is no one way. There are countless ways and none are better than the rest.
I am a huge fan of music and like Annie, I love groups that can use their musical talents to promote something good or encourage others to make a change for the better. Your mentioning of the whales harpooning humans, reminded me of a music video I saw a while ago that showed abused animals and was meant to be a message to stop animal abuse. I wish could remember the name and the band though. Great post!
Very cool post Katelyn! I am a huge fan of art and music and I think it can be so powerful. John Mayor is another artist who uses his music to get people thinking about world issues. Whaling is a terrible thing that people do for all the wrong reasons, and that video does make you want to do something to stop it! Now what is the next step? The most difficult thing is to put thoughts into action and I think music and art can have a huge influence on people and help close that gap to action. YouTube for example is a huge network that millions of people use daily. If an artist makes a video that is somewhat catchy, it could have millions of views within a few days. This form of communication is so powerful and has the potential to influence a lot of people.
I think it is great the we can think about the environment in so many different ways, and music being one of them. I know that I can relate to certain music, and it is great that I can relate it to the environment also.
Hi Katelyn, cool post. I also watched the video, and found myself cringing at the part when the whales were skinning the humans. It's so sad to think that we do the exact same thing to their species. Making people aware of these problems through music is such a great idea because you can reach such a large scale audience. I think if there were more bands and musicians like modest mouse and your boyfriend's roommate's band, then more people will become more aware of what actually happens in the environment.
I never knew about the effects of whaling, but this video makes clear how horrible it is! I'm glad music groups are getting together to send an important message to inform people about the negative things that are going on in the world like this. Great post!
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