After the tragedy that occurred in Norway, the Sunday Times (a supposedly respectable British publication) felt the best way to lighten the mood or spark healthy discussion might be a cartoon.You might be forgiven for not immediately appreciating the reference, but this is a bastardized rehashing of what is arguably Norway’s most famous artwork, Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’.
And, in case you wondered if the Sunday Times has a history of this kind of close-to-the-bone cartoon commentary, here’s a Huffington Post link referring to another controversial picture.
I’ll be adding a poll to see what the consensus is on this, I’m curious to see how this is received by the blogging community.
In my (and the Google+ community's) opinion, the cartoons add nothing in value, they only serve to draw the eye and invoke column inches and, in turn, money to another Murdoch-owned publication.
I would be interested to hear if someone took a more positive message from these though. Perhaps some appreciate these, seeing it as a positive step against increasing censorship in the name of political correctness?
This story was bought to my attention by my good friend Luke, please support him and his musical enterprises by checking out these sites. It would really be very much appreciated!
On a sidenote: I'll be replying to all the comments on my previous piece later today, sorry it's taken me so long to get round to it!
ReplyDeletei think that creative cartoons can do a pretty good job to sum up the main point of an event or an opinion in a unique way.
ReplyDeleteWoah nice background mate, you've def improved this blog! That is incredibly distasteful of the times!
ReplyDeleteA respectful but creative cartoon, is A ok in my book. Nothing wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteNorway had a shooting what?
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I feel about it, still reeling from the fact that all that stuff happened. Not sure if cartoons are the right approach.
ReplyDeleteMan, I've just read through all your posts. Good reads, and an interesting subject. The media, journalism and the flow of information are important things in society. Consider yourself followed. Will you write more soon?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the cartoons, I think the one about the Norwegian mass murder was slightly distasteful, but not necessarily offensive. I guess I don't mind it, but it doesn't add anything of value to the story. The other one, with the starving children, actually made a point. Millions are crying out to be saved, yet we concentrate on some hacking scandal (which is bad, yet not nearly as bad as people starving to death).
On the other hand, one could also interpret that cartoon as using the misery of others to distract from Murdoch's corruption, defending their owner. This makes it even more distasteful, as it is obvious that they don't care about the plight in Somalia, but are actually using it to further their own agenda.
been to norway last year and saw 'the scream'
ReplyDeleteEnjyoing the backround
ReplyDeleteAs always, thanks for the comments guys :)
ReplyDelete@The Beholder - I'm the WDBlog guy too, I guess now you know part of what I do for a living!
@Supercake - I'm very jealous, seriously.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Loved reading it, thanks for updating
ReplyDeleteI'm all for dark humor, but there's a difference between that and just plain horrible taste. Definitely think this is the latter and I just don't think it's funny. Don't find the Amy Winehouse jokes funny either. That's just me.
ReplyDelete+followed
I know people In Norway so the tragedy hit close to home, but someone somewhere always will make lite of it, just a part of life so I don't take things like that personally.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog man. O love art/journalism +follow
ReplyDeleteNo, that is not cool. :S
ReplyDeleteFollowing and supporting, mate! :)
Nice blog, definitely following this!
ReplyDelete