Yes, we all have TV shows and movies that we love and support...
But when is too much...well...TOO MUCH?...
In the current political climate, with families recovering from losing loved ones from a tragic terrorist attack (9-11) and others from a horrific tsunami and still others who lost everything to a hurricaine (Katrina) and with children going to bed hungry all over the world and HIV running rampant and war in nearly every corner of the world, is it justifiable to spend thousands of dollars to try to ensure that a fictional character remains on a TV show?...
Let me put this out there...
If you can write several letters to a TV production studio to save a fictional character, have you written the President about the handling of a war that has our troops away from thier families?...Does that injustice fill you with the same outrage?...
Have you taken a stand on the hate crimes committed every day against people of colour or people who simply want to have the option to marry the one they love regardless of gender?...
Have you sent money to fund the creation of clean water distribution systems in countries where they don't get thier water by simply turning on a faucet while watching CSI?...
Do you think for one moment that these issues are less important?...
And more importantly, which action do you think the real person behind the fictional character would find more fitting a tribute in thier honour?... And which action do you think they'd see as an unfortunately selfish waste of resources?...
You readers decide,
ABS;)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I'm sure that many fans of GSR have indeed contributed to charities and written to politicians, I know that many of them do give when they can and are concerned about what is going on in the world. I know for a fact that many of Jorja Fox's fans have donated money to charities in her honor.
The fandom is sheer entertainment and relief from the stresses of everyday life, we have come to love the character of Sara and most of us also love the actress Jorja Fox. If we want to show our support of her and of the GSR is that so wrong? Why can't we do it all (it is not impossible), give when we can, be concerned with world events and support a character we love?
I work for a charity, and while we appreciate every donation we receive, we also wouldn't think to judge people for where they spend their money. Do we hope we get some? Of course. Do we begrudge them a new car, or a vacation abroad, or even something as little as giving $20 to some magazine ad? Not at all. Whether it be time, energy, or money, people should be able to spend their own resources as they see fit.
As I said in the original post, "you readers decide"...
Thanx for reading,
ABS;)
But you seem to have already decided.
One of the biggest problems of the 'net is that we are drawn into this virtual world that puts blinders on us. Unless we have a larger connection with someone we "know" online (either via e-mails or letters or phone calls), we don't really know what they're doing when they turn the computer off. Someone who writes to save a fictional character (I gather you're talking about Sara Sidle) or a show (such as the huge fan reaction towards Farscape) might be doing all sorts of things we don't know about, such as writing to the President, sending money to Third World countries, or even something simple as stepping outside and picking up litter in their neighbourhood. Or, they could be driving a Lexus when a Toyota would do- why not sell the Lexus and donate the extra money to charity? Maybe they're buying Nike despite continued questions about their labour source. Maybe they're living in a condo that continues to push out any natural wildlife out of city limits when a small house in the suburbs would suffice- again, why not sell the million dollar condo and donate the profits?
I look at baseball players, for instance. Alex Rodriguez and his $25 million a year contract and wonder, who needs all that money? Cameron Diaz gets paid $20 mil per movie and I wonder, who is worth that kind of money? However, they've earned it and in the end, it's not my place to judge what they do with it. And to be honest, I don't know what they do with it; I'm basing my judgment on the narrow view the media gives me.
Similarily, we often make judgments against online people based solely on their internet actions, when the reality is, internet life is an iceburg- very rarely do we know exactly how much is going on underneath the surface, or in this case, behind the monitor.
It's not my intent to decide anything for anyone...I merely put up a mirror to a situation I noticed...If someone sees thier reflection in that mirror or doesn't, that's on them...
Interestingly enough, the efforts "over there" were met by resistance based on some of the same things I wrote about here...From within thier own ranks...So my particular bias aside, I think that speaks volumes on it's own...
Some people feel comfortable with it, some don't...Not my call...
And for the record, if I believed in supporting any project, I wouldn't feel the need to defend it...I wouldn't need anyone to co-sign my stance...Regardless of whether it was popular or not...
ABS;)
'As I said in the original post, "you readers decide"...'
Well, since you are handing us the reigns, I'll add my two cents on the Great Charity Debate. (I'm a couple weeks late with my response, but what the hell...)
I happen to agree with the people "over there" who suggested the money be spent on charity rather than the ad. I don't think supporting actors and thanking them is wrong. I do think that spending thousands of dollars on a print ad that will run for one day (in a trade magazine read almost exclusively by industry insiders - and not by fans) is a waste of money and is not a fitting tribute to the actors. Do I begrudge those who choose to spend their money on the ad? Of course not! Do I think the ad is a lousy idea and will I be spending my money elsewhere? Absolutely.
I'm not filled with enough self-importance as to think my opinion will sway anyone one way or another...
However, it appear we are in harmony on this topic...
ABS;)
While I do think that it can be seen as manipulative to try to do it for false reasons, whomever the charity is probably doesn't "hate" getting the money either way.
I mean, whether for a selfish reason or not, they would still be helping someone.
Post a Comment