...“Big Brother isn’t watching you” In 2011 riots were happening all over the UK. These riots are also known as the “Blackberry riots”, because many of the riots were organized with this technology, such as the Blackberry smartphone. In “Big Brother isn’t watching you”, Russell Brand criticise his native government, for not doing anything but complaining and shows a lot of sympathy towards his fellow countrymen, as he puts himself in their footsteps. Though he cannot see the meaning of this misbehaviour. Russell Brand takes the reader through his point of view on the riots, from his youth in the Essex, where he grew up in a wealthy family, with a good heart, which makes him understand the hate of the rioters and their motives. Even though he is in Los Angeles, writing this article, he tells as if he were in the UK during these riots. Russell Brand is a very well known stand-up comedian, actor, musician and author. The comedian part is very obvious throughout the text, as he uses a good amount of sarcasm and irony. His sarcastic tone is especially aimed towards the government, who, according to Russell Brand, does nothing to find a solution. “Wow! Thanks guys! What a wonderful use of planet’s fast-depleting oxygen resources. Now that’s been dealt with can we move on to more taxing matters such as whether or not Jack The Ripper was a ladies’ man. And what the hell do bears get up to in those woods?” This was Russell Brands comment on the Home Secretary saying the behaviour...
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...Big brother isn’t watching you A riot mostly occurs in reaction to a perceived grievance or simply out of dissent. Void and community spirit has since forever been in an everlasting fight because of the human mind and its diversity. When rioters act it is due to a feeling of being mistreated in a divided society where an inability to provide success for all human beings is valid. But instead of labelling rioters as mindless, we need to ask ourselves why they are led to the conclusion that starting a riot is the only way of gaining attention. That is why Russell Brand, English comedian, actor, radio host, author and activist, who now lives in Los Angeles, California, commentates on English riots and why they occur. His commentary is posted in the British newspaper called “The Guardian”, where he also tries to explain the rioters’ motive for the 2011 UK riots. First Brand starts of by explaining how he no longer lives in London and how some may find it bizarre for him to comment on matters in his homeland. However, Brand feels strongly connected to native country and finds it necessary to comment on the 2011 UK riots, as he himself feels deeply afflicted by them. In addition to his attachment to his homeland and therefore the rioters, he initiates his commentary with an explanation of how he never actually had interest in the fictitious theatrics in reality TV. Expect when he was working for Big Brother, a reality game show, where contestants are continuously monitored...
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...Big Brother isn’t watching you The English born writer, comedian, actor and musician Russell Brand wrote the text “Big Brother isn’t watching you”, with a focus on the UK riots in 2011. The riots came as a shock to a lot of people, and especially Russell Brand. While the conflicts and riots were on their highest, the politicians called the rioters “barbarians” and “confrontational individuals” through the media, and tried to convince the world that everything was all right. Brand, who now lives in Los Angeles, is one of many questioning how and why such riots would take place. He is questioning the whole situation of youngsters rioting in the streets and, by referring to his own life, he tries to understand what mindset those youngsters may have. Brand’s main argument is that the rioters are not the only ones to blame. The politicians, the welfare system, the media and society in general should take a large share of the responsibility. Together they must try to answer the question, “why is this happening?” Even though Russell Brand now lives in the US, he keeps stating how proud an English man he is. His home is England, he still is an Englishman, and he even feels more like an Englishman, since he left. He has said, “I feel proud to be English, proud to be a Londoner…” Additionally he identifies with the rioters and therefore he constantly tries to see the problems from their point of view. The youngsters in the UK went on the streets for reasons more complicated than...
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...Big Brother isn’t watching you The phrase “Big Brother is watching you” is from George Orwell’s novel 1984. The novel, which was published in 1949, gave a very frightening point of view on the so-called Big Brother society, where the surveillance on society would be huge. The British comedian Russell Brand has changed the phrase to: “Big Brother isn’t watching you” in comment of the then recent UK riots, where he thinks that there clearly is no one, who is watching or controlling the riots. Russell Brand, married to the world famous Katy Perry, is especially known for his role in Get him to the Greek, where his very distinctive British accent brought a smile to every viewer. His comment on the riots is definately in a different genre, where he, with some serious and some sarcastical statements, is trying to define why these riots are occurring. Russell is starting his comment by telling a bit about himself. When he was in his early twenties, he had been participating in various protest. This means that even though he is no longer in the “economic class”, he can still relate to the riots, since he has been part of other riots. This experience from his early life is making him come up with what the reason of the riot could be. When he lived back in London and took part in riots, it was because he felt he was in need for some meaning in his life. Some goal he could go for, or like a direction, he could follow. He is sure that most of the rioting people are having the same problems...
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...would make young people destroy their communities” by that he feels that it is okay to talk about the riots in his home country even though he doesn’t live there anymore. He also thinks it is okay to talk about it, because he had lived in the areas which have been offers to the riots. When he was young and lived in London, he was one of those youth who demonstrated and had the feeling of being ignored by the government. The politicians are criticized by Brand, because they do not give enough attention to the youth, but instead they are “sleeping” with the big companies. “A lack of direction, a sense that I was not invested in the dominant culture, that government existed not to look after the interests of the people it was elected to represent but the big businesses that they were in bed with.” Russel Brand views the media as a part of the blame, because they covered the riots with an attitude like when Brand was in “Big Brother”, a kind of reality cover of the riots. We know that Brand is a comedian, and in this article we do find different jokes and sarcasm in the text to persuade the reader. “Then dopey ol’ Boris came cycling back into the London clutter with his spun gold hair and his spun shit logic as it became apparent that the holiday was over.” Here he uses his humor and his rhetorical persuasion to both...
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...”Big Brother isn’t watching you” Russell Brand Growing up as a Londoner (or an Essex boy as he corrects it to), Russell Brand, who is now in exile, as he puts it, in nonetheless ‘the city of Angels’, Los Angeles, is concerned about the incidents happening in his home country. In the commentary “Big Brother isn’t watching you” he appears very critical towards the politicians ruling the country of which he was born and raised, because of their lack of understanding towards the young people on the margins of society. Based on the recent events, where several riots have taken place in suburban London, he is asking the only legitimately question, he can: “Why is this happening?”. Throughout the commentary he endeavours this specific question. This includes reflections of his own childhood and growing up as a young adult, lacking direction and better things to do. And because of his lack of political insight, he is not trying to find a concrete solution, but either way finds, that the solution is concerning spirituality, as he quotes Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” He therefore draws the conclusion, that if ‘we want to live in a society where people feel included, we must include them’. Right from the beginning we sense a critical style of writing. The writer, Russell Brand, is especially critical towards the politicians, such as the Prime Minister David Cameron and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who had to return from their beloved holidays...
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...The phrase ” big brother is watching you” originated from George Orwell's acclaimed novel '1984'. Though it was published in 1949, people acknowledge his work and the book for its very desriptive and frightening story about a surveillance society – or 'the big brother society'. Now, the british comedian Russell Brand, brought this phrase to life, by commentating on the UK riots; ” Big brother isn't watching you”. He means that no one are watching the rioters. Russell Brand is known for his stand-up and acting. He is starring for example : ” Forgetting sarah marshall”. As a major name in Hollywood and around the world, it is a bit tricky for him to comment on such things as the riots, but he has done so and tries to explain, why this is happening. Russell Brand initiates the reader by saying, he no longer lives in London and that he used to work for the reality show 'Big Brother'. Then he comments on 'This week's riots' and says its tragic and frightening. As a part of his fame, he has risen to a level of economic standard, which means, he is not in the 'working class'. He is bothered by the reason that its in exactly this type of enviroment, these sorts of riots arise. At the time, he was one of them, and has lived through these things himself. He thinks that a lot of rioters are in a state of depression in a materialistic way, but as one might say, that their existentialistic journey, to find and approve themselves, may effect those amongst them. On page 8 l. 42 Russell...
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...Big Brother isn’t Watching You The famous phrase “Big brother is watching you” is from the legendary book “1984” by George Orwell. It’s written in 1949, but yet it’s still magnificent. Many years later in 2011 a famous actor named Russell Brand wrote, “Big brother isn’t watching you”. It’s a commentary published on The Guardian’s webpage, and it’s about the UK riots. Brand used to live in London, and he is British. He is commenting on the big riots in London. You can also see in the text that Brand is a British lad. He speaks with a British accent, when he uses the words “mate” and so on. But he’s also speaken from his heart, when he uses the words “shit” and “fucking”. He’s a famous actor, but also a comedian. So that could a stunt in the text, that symbolise Brand’s comment is written with a conscious use of a relaxed language – this is a clear tendency throughout the text. For instance he often uses contractions of words – even in the title. Furthermore he uses slang: “…and have a row with the Old Bill.” (L. 69) Brand is, as before mentioned, a comedian and he writes in a serious but also entertaining and relaxed tone: He is able getting through with his message even though he uses irony and swear words as shit and fucking. These words help underlining his opinion and purpose of the commentary, as they seem quite heated. Brand’s profession is reflected in his choice of words. It would be possible imagining people who would be offended or would have a lack of understanding...
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...”BIG BROTHER ISN’T WATCHING YOU” Void versus community spirit. These two feelings are feelings humans all across the world must deal with every day. They feel like missing out on something because the society doesn’t give them the space needed to become a success. In the summer of 2011 rioters in England drew the government’s attention to the fact that they felt neglected and overlooked in the society. In the commentary “Big Brother isn’t watching you” posted on The Guardian website, the English comedian, actor, musician and writer, Russell Brand explains the rioter’s motive for the 2011 UK riots. Russell Brand currently lives in Los Angeles but he still has a strong connection to his native country and therefore the riots in the UK have also become his problem. In the commentary he describes the situation seen from his point of view. Russell Brand uses an overload of sarcasm and irony to describe his position on the riots. He is very sarcastic about the way the 2011 UK riots have been handled and uses sarcasm to point out his dissatisfaction with the UK government. His attitude to the 2011 UK riots is that it is a common problem, which must be solved jointly. Russell Brand is very astonished at the way the rioters are being described as “mindless”. “However “unacceptable” and “unjustifiable” it might be, it has happened so we better accept it and, whilst we can’t justify it…and work out why so many people feel utterly disconnected from the cities they live in”...
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...Big Brother is watching you more closely than ever: CCTV cameras, the spies in our midst Privacy is essential to our humanity. It permits us to shape and maintain lives, from which personal identity, selfdetermination and freedom arise. In today’s society, however, undisturbedness is mainly an illusion. The line between privacy and public space has simply become as fragile as porcelain. This is due to increased monitoring of human behaviour. In “Big Brother is watching you more closely than ever”, written by John Kampfner in 2012, it is discussed whether surveillance provides protection or disturbs the individual liberty. A coherent structure in essence is the foundation for the written amount of text. The article consists of three components: an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Thus it achieves structural integrity. The text mostly centers on the subject of surveillance and its effect on society. To what extent the use of security cameras can be justified is, however, also a focus of attention. The major topic is presented in the introduction by using the words: “The march of CCTV cameras.” The ideas, to which the writer will adhere when discussing the theme, are likewise indicated in the introductory section. The body, where the issue is elaborated, covers the critical evidence that defends the position of John Kampfner. The documentation includes specific facts, description, quotations and references to authoritarian persons. Numerical examples are also used to...
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...STX Engelsk Eksamen Delprøve 2B 2014 Analytic essay: “Big Brother is watching you more closely than ever:CCTV Cameras, the Spies in our midst. Privacy is essential to our humanity. It permits us to shape and maintain lives, from which personal identity, selfdetermination and freedom arise. In today’s society, however, undisturbedness is mainly an illusion. The line between privacy and public space has simply become as fragile as porcelain. This is due to increased monitoring of human behaviour. In “Big Brother is watching you more closely than ever”, written by John Kampfner in 2012, it is discussed whether surveillance provides protection or disturbs the individual liberty. A coherent structure in essence is the foundation for the written amount of text. The article consists of three components: an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Thus it achieves structural integrity. The text mostly centers on the subject of surveillance and its effect on society. To what extent the use of security cameras can be justified is, however, also a focus of attention. The major topic is presented in the introduction by using the words: “The march of CCTV cameras.” The ideas, to which the writer will adhere when discussing the theme, are likewise indicated in the introductory section. The body, where the issue is elaborated, covers the critical evidence that defends the position of John Kampfner. The documentation includes specific facts, description, quotations and...
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...may be pushed on you by other people or you might have put them on yourself. Disappointing the ones you love has a big impact on one’s self esteem and can possibly lead to self-destruction. I believe this was exactly the case in “The Red Convertible”. Before Henry goes off to war he is full of life and seems very happy without a care in the world. He and his brother have a close relationship and spend a lot of time together doing things. After Henry returns from war he is a very different person than the one that left. The spark of life had left him and he was an empty shell. The final scene of this story was heart-wrenching. As Henry and Lyman sat watching the river flow you could see Henry was struggling with his inner demons. Lyman tries to pull Henry out of his depression but Henry says he can’t. I believe Henry is feeling too much pressure to return to his old self. I think he wants to but doesn’t know how to get back to that person. The family doesn’t understand and seems to expect the same Henry to return as the one who left. No one knows what he has been through or what the enemy did to him when he was caught. Henry knew he was letting his family down and hurting them by his actions. He didn’t want to disappoint them any longer and made a drastic decision. Henry was tired of hurting his family and did his best to become his old self long enough to give his brother one last good memory. He starts dancing, hopping, and going wild. He has his brother laughing so hard...
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...Levi Wortley Logan Denney Discussion Group 9-22-12 Our Society VS. The Hunger Games Now in the film The Hunger Games there are a lot of themes that mirrored in our society today. First and foremost there is the politics of Panem. The government, or “The Capitol,” is corrupted. Their control over the country “Panem” is very iron like in the fact that they control everything from resources to where you can go and what you can do. After awhile of this the districts get fed up and rebel. The capitol succeeds in quelling this rebellion and then to prevent any more rebellions actions or from being embarrassed, they, the Capitol, ensure their power/superiority over their people through a “holiday” they created called the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a fight to the death between two tributes from the twelve districts displayed on a television program which is mandatory and to be enjoyed. One of the themes that's present in our society and the movie is the obsession with celebrities and fame. I found myself finding a lot of similarities between the Hunger Games contestants and those on shows like American Idol and The Voice. Both have stylists that dress them up to make them look more dazzling and attractive, and both have mentors that help guide them through the process. There is a spectacle of fashion, makeup and style that has gone wild within the “elite class”. The style and fashion of the “elite class”(people who live in the high-tech cities of Panem) seems to...
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...1984 is a book written by George Orwell in 1949. At first it seems like just another ordinary book until you read it and realize how similar the society in which Winston lives in is to our society now. The society in this book is one that lacks amenities just like North Korea. Winston is the main character in the book 1984. Winston is special because right from the start you can feel that he has some kind of different feeling towards the party, he isn’t deeply in love with the Party and Big Brother. I feel that Winston knows he is disgusted by the way the Party controls everyone due to the fact that he blames the Party for the death of his parents and sister. We know this because in Book 2 chapter 7 Winston wakes up crying and explains to Julia that he was dreaming about his mother and father and sister. He...
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...Mr. Speaker, honorable opponents and distinguished judges. The resolution before the house today is be it resolved that reality TV shows reflects real life. First let me list a few reality TV shows you guys may watch at home- Dragons Den, Jersey Shore, Survivor and Big Brother. Now, what do all these shows have in common besides all being reality TV shows? They all have normal everyday people, real reactions and the people who watch these shows can relate to them. Yes some people may argue that some shows are over-done and the actor’s reactions are fake but the truth behind the matter is that everybody has a different opinion on what over-doing a reaction is. If reality shows didn’t reflect our lives, then nobody would watch the shows. We watch reality shows because they are entertaining, and they put people like us in situations where their actions are being watched 24/7. If you were offered a role in a reality TV show such as Big Brother, at first you’d be careful of what actions you make on camera knowing the world is watching. But how long can you really keep acting fake? The real you, the real reactions when you are put in a hard situation will come out. This is why reality shows such as Big Brother reflect real life because it’s based on real reactions of normal people like you and I. The opposition may argue that the editing if what makes reality TV look fake but remember that the camera doesn't lie. No matter how much editing is done to compress and provide a story line...
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