Abstract This paper provides an examination of Michael Moore's documentary film, "Bowling For Columbine" as a work of propaganda. It looks at Moore's exposure of the roots of violence, his techniques and how they support his thesis. The paper also looks at Moore's desire to provoke as well as to inform.
From the Paper "When Michael Moore's film Bowling for Columbine was released it was certainly a controversial film. Closely following the tragic incidents at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado Moore's film set out to expose the root of the problems behind such acts of violence. In doing so he learns that the conventional answers of easy availability of guns, violent national history, violent entertainment and even poverty are inadequate to explain this violence when other cultures share those same factors without the equivalent ..."
Tags:bowling for columbine, michael moore, propaganda
Abstract This paper studies Michael Moore's award winning docudrama "Bowling for Columbine" (2002), which provided an eye-opening look at the social problem of violence in the United States, particularly violence with guns. The film focused on events leading up to the Columbine High School shootings. The paper demonstrates how, from a sociological perspective, Moore effectively showed that both social institutions (e.g., the community, the school) and social relationships (e.g., within the community, between students) played a role in the Columbine tragedy. The paper also lauds Moore for effectively presenting the causes and consequences of this recurring social problem (i.e. gun violence) in an effective manner.
From the Paper "One portion of the film that I found extremely revealing was when Michael Moore went up to Canada with his film crew for this movie, and interviewed people up there, who seemed less afraid, and said they were less afraid, than Americans he had interviewed for the film earlier. These two sets of interviews illustrated the point, very convincingly, that America has far more general fear bred into its culture, in terms of anxieties people feel just living life, than does Canada. For that reason, Moore implies, many Americans feel they need guns simply to protect themselves against the frightening elements "out there", a feeling that then feeds on itself, with more fear and more gun ownership. In contrast, Canadians who were interviewed for the film do not even lock their front doors, and most do not own guns or feel any need to own guns. Moore convincingly explored, also, how the mythology of the Wild West (e.g., Western movies starring actors like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood) are so much a part of the American identity that Americans actually also identify with guns and gun ownership as if it were needed in order to feel safe."
Abstract The paper illustrates how the cinematic techniques used by the documentary "Bowling for Columbine" are crafted upon the use of irony. The paper also shows how "Bowling for Columbine" is compelling because directory Michael Moore uses slice-of-life film in 'real time' to show how he, along with the viewer, is searching for answers as to what is real, in a culture where so much unreality characterizes the depiction of American violence. The paper discusses Moore's belief that greater corporate and individual responsibility in America is necessary to prevent the Columbine tragedy from occurring again.
From the Paper "The cinematic techniques used by the documentary "Bowling for Columbine" by Michael Moore are entirely crafted upon the use of carefully delineated irony. The film contrasts the real need to protect the nation's citizens with the zealous love affair that Americans have with guns. The title of the film refers to the tragedy at Columbine High School, Ohio where the all-too typical adolescent angst of a group of troubled teens was the tinder that combined with the spark of easy access to guns. This cumulated in a conflagration of violence, as they vented their frustrations upon their fellow pupils. Only in America, Moore suggests, could such a horrific event occur. It is not that teens are not unhappy or bulled in other lands, but no other land makes it so easy and acceptable to wield the deadly power of firearms as a way to vent anger."
Abstract This paper examines how "Bowling for Columbine" is a piece of filmmaking designed to provoke viewers regardless of their political beliefs and how underlying the film are solid truths about the history of and current state of affairs in the United States. It looks at how it examines in particular three main themes: racism, gun control, and the psychological and sociological impacts of mass media by using the Columbine shooting incident as an anchor.
From the Paper "No one need watch Bowling for Columbine to discover that race relations in the United States have been poor since the birth of the nation. Wresting millions of Africans from their home countries, treating them worse than cattle, and enslaving them and their families in deplorable conditions for centuries do little to foster good race relations. The abolition of slavery contributed little to the improvement of white-black relations in the United States, since Reconstruction was a dismal failure in this respect and in fact permitted hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan to thrive. The animated sequence in Bowling for Columbine, combined with Moore's treatment of racial profiling, show that Moore is keenly aware of and sensitive to race-related issues. Moore also shows how race relations in the United States contributed indirectly to the Columbine shootings, which occurred in a mainly white, middle-class suburban town. According to Moore, blacks have been convenient scapegoats of violent crimes."
Abstract This paper discusses the different approaches of persuasion in the two movies "Bowling for Columbine" and "Elephant". Particular emphasis is placed on poetic and argumentative rhetoric. The paper focuses on the way that the movies deal with the issue of violence in society.
From the Paper "Violence is a problem that every society has experienced as far back as we have any evidence of humans living in groups; ancient man with their skulls bashed in, the crusades, world wars and many others are just a few examples. One may even argue that it is in human nature to commit violence upon one another to create a hierarchy such as many animals do, however living in a society requires to get rid of the impulses driving such behavior because the essential reason for the existence of societies is to achieve a level of safety and security that can otherwise not be reached. The question that logically follows from this is how does society affect the level of violence of all its members? Assuming that one can consider different countries as different societies it is legitimate to compare different countries in order to try to answer this question."
Abstract This paper provides a summary and review of the film, "Bowling for Columbine", which explores the problem of guns and casualties resulting from them in American society. The film is made against the backdrop of the Columbine high school shootings, and the paper shows that, through his documentary, Michael Moore searches for answers of why this kind of tragedy happens in America.
From the Paper "Towards the end of the film, Moore got in touch with two Columbine survivors. Both of them had the bullets purchased from K-Mart still in them, and one has been confined to a wheelchair ever since he was wounded. The two boys accompanied Moore to a K-Mart convention and asked the corporate executives if they would halt all sales of ammunition in their stores. After the first try resulted in little progress, the three of them returned to the convention with the entire inventory of ammunition from a local K-Mart. This time they listened. Since then, gun ammunition is no longer available at any K-Mart store in America."
A comparison between the films 'Fahrenheit 911' and 'Bowling for Columbine' versus films 'FahrenHype 9/11' and 'Celsius 41.11 - The Temperature at Which the Brain Begins to Die'.
Abstract This paper takes a look at, and compares, the docudrama films 'Fahrenheit 911' and 'Bowling for Columbine' versus the docudrama films 'FahrenHype 9/11' and 'Celsius 41.11 - The Temperature at Which the Brain Begins to Die'. The paper takes a look at how these films influence the reputation of docudrama as a film genre.
From the Paper "Within Fahrenheit 911 Michael Moore uses footage that is simultaneously disturbing and humorous, in which President George W. Bush is shown, immediately after hearing the news of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, continuing to read the children's book My Pet Goat to a group of Florida elementary school children, while also looking blankly off into the distance trying to figure out what to do next. The sequence of events leading up to that series of shots, in which Bush reads "My Pet Goat" and looks perplexed, for at least five full minutes, is obviously intended by Moore to illustrate that, even though Bush comes from a powerful, privileged family, he is still unfit, on his own, to be President. "
Abstract This paper examines how and why certain ads are accepted or rejected by the media while also delving into who ultimately decides which ads are broadcast to the viewing public. The writer of this paper focuses on the most recent Super Bowl which was broadcast on the CBS television network while detailing the reasons behind two specific ads which were rejected due to their content. This paper delves into the First Amendment to the Constitution and its relevance to this particular topic. The paper also analyzes the rules and regulations stipulated by the Federal Communications Commission and its resulting impact on the advertising industry as a whole.
From the Paper "Although the Super Bowl is a public event that is the most watched TV program, it is a privately produced show and the choice of what ads to run rests with the network, a private company. Once CBS network bought the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl it had First Amendment rights to choose what it would or would not broadcast. Under the First Amendment CBS has the right to exercise its editorial judgment regarding the content of Super Bowl ads."
This paper uses a local bowling center, Pompano Bowl, to illustrate the various changes over the years in the bowling industry, which is part of the entertainment industry.
Abstract This paper explains that bowling, one of the largest participatory sports in the world, is enjoyed primarily by the older population but has a place in the entertainment of pre-teens, families and middle-aged groups. The author points out that, due to the increasing costs of maintenance and equipment modernization, the cost of a family bowling night has increased dramatically making it more difficult to afford an evening out with the family. The paper relates that the decline in leagues has caused a steady drop in overall revenue in the industry; but open bowling style has increased, which indicates bowling is returning mostly to a recreational sport.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Provided Services
Service Demand
Cost & Technology
Market Structures
Economic Forecast
Conclusion
From the Paper "With the bowling lane now being controlled by computers, customers find that score keeping and other functions are very simplified. New computer software is used in controlling each lane and must be updated when available. The new computerized system was designed by the National Bowling Association, operates within the professional bowling guidelines, and costs over $100,000. A price increase was put in to effect due to the fact that the building was in need of repairs, such as new carpeting, new electronic consoles for each lane, and some roof repair. This necessitated a price increase. Several complaints and negative comments were made and the center also lost two of its regular leagues, who transferred to another bowler center."
Abstract This paper describes college football's bowl games. Additionally, the author explains in detail the ranking system in which a team qualifies to enter a bowl game, called the Bowl Champion Series ranking system. The author argues that the Bowl Champion Series ranking system must be changed and amended. This would be better for post season play. The paper concludes that if the changes are made, the old excitement of football games would come back as well.
From the Paper "What, for instance would happen if there were three undefeated teams; one would not be able to simply choose one undefeated team and declare them champions. A playoff would of course be bale to determine the ruling champions, but if there were for example, three undefeated teams, then how would one playoff and settle the score? Two of the three would probably have to play against another undefeated team, and this means that it would also have to play twice to win it, while the third team would get to play against a possibly lesser team, with one single loss. This brings another issue to the forefront, which is, why shouldn't one loss teams be regarded as the undefeated teams, and why shouldn't these teams have an equal shot as the other teams at the Championship? Perhaps the real and true problem may not be the playoff system, or the Bowl Championship Series, but the fact that there are in fact more than 116 Division 1- A schools taking part in the college football championships, and the very scope of college football is so very large and enormous that it is extremely difficult for anyone to be able to narrow it down to either two, or four, or even eight best teams who would deserve to play for the championship above the others. (Bowl Championship Series ... The Final Word) "
Abstract Traditional explanations of the Dust Bowl emphasize the lack of rain as the fundamental cause of the severe dust storms that struck the southern plains. This paper discusses additional reasons for the Dust Bowl such as poor agricultural practices and years of sustained drought. The paper describes the effect the Dust Bowl had on the inhabitants.
From the Paper "Americans tend to confuse the "Dust Bowl," a region plagued by dust storms in the 1930s, with the mass migration of "Okies and Arkies" to California that occurred in the same decades. Many people were forced to leave the Dust Bowl for California. But the majority of 1930s migrants, even migrants from Oklahoma, came from regions of the country largely unaffected by the dust storms.
The whole concept of a Dust Bowl migration is a wonderful misnomer. Most of the people had nothing to do with the Dust Bowl region. Most really weren't victims of the drought either. A lot of them weren't even farmers."
Abstract This paper recounts the beginnings of the Super Bowl by first looking at the creation of the AFL. It looks at the role television had in the success of the Super Bowl and the tremendous amounts of money spent by both leagues which encouraged fans to pick sides. The continued success of the Super Bowl and some of the factors that contribute to its success (half time shows, commercial airtime) are also discussed.
From the Paper "By 1968, the year of Super Bowl I, America accounted for over 78million households with televisions (out of a worldwide 200million) and its popularity was ever increasing. At this point, television shows that are now steady re-runs on Nick at Nite, were entertaining Americans as they lived their "American Dream". Televised football games were highly popular (much like today) and were a ready source of commercial income for broadcast stations and football franchises. Television programs and commercials were defining what Americans should buy, eat and live by. It was a viable force then as it is now."
Abstract This paper discusses the different explanations and rationalizations offered in an attempt to understand the horrific events that took place at a high school in Columbine, Colorado. Much of the focus of the paper is devoted to literature concerned with the pain of being unable to articulate or assert the self and how this type of pain is what triggered the Columbine tragedy. The paper continues with a discussion of the gender differences in acting out emotional pain and turmoil and concludes with the admonition that undoing the causes of self-destructive behavior in teens will take a cultural excavation and a reconfiguring of male and female identities.
From the Paper "One does not need to look very far to find individuals who are similarly conflicted in their inability to articulate themselves and find ways to do that are often bizarre and unrewarding to themselves and society as a whole. The tragedy that occurred four years ago, in 1999, at Columbine high school is an example of such a tragedy. A Website erected on the Internet in honor of the event describes the event as such. ?Two students in black trench coats killed twelve schoolmates and a teacher Tuesday at Columbine High School, most of them in the library. The gunmen, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, then apparently killed themselves. They were called the "Trenchcoat Mafia"? before the incident occurred."
Abstract This paper explains that a number of theories regarding the motives of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the killers in the Columbine High School massacre, have been offered since the shootings. The author points out that many people argue that both Klebold and Harris felt isolated from the rest of their classmates; however, this theory seems to have been debunked. The paper relates that, nonetheless, in reaction to Columbine, schools throughout the country enacted programs designed to expose and prevent bullying in the classroom. The author suggests that another theory is the boys' attraction to violent video games and movies. The paper states that the only things society can do to prevent violence is to pay close attention to warning signs, increase security and to be cautious especially, as in this case, if there is abnormal behavior.
Table of Contents:
Setting
Aftermath
Our Stance
From the Paper "At 11:14am, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold carried two propane bombs into the school cafeteria concealed in duffle bags. Luckily, these bombs failed to detonate, possibly preventing hundreds of further casualties. Five minutes later, Harris and Klebold began their shooting spree from the top of the stairs leading into the west side of the school. At 11:23am, the first 911 call is made coming from the school. Two minutes after the call, the first police car arrives on scene at the high school. A pipe bomb (much smaller than the malfunctioned propane bombs) explodes in the cafeteria at 11:27am creating smoke and scattering students."
Tags: zero-tolerance programs, video games, evilness detectors
