tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787999482934202364.post3482018322197680826..comments2023-05-28T07:46:13.657-04:00Comments on social issues: Slumdog AccountabilityLeonard Wakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10948820385522641682noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787999482934202364.post-20979722394087503292009-03-25T11:15:00.000-04:002009-03-25T11:15:00.000-04:00I found this googling "Slumdog Millionaire fairy t...I found this googling "Slumdog Millionaire fairy tale Snow White", it is always nice to find someone you know via random searches on the internet :)<BR/><BR/>I completely agree with your synopsis, and how this story is not based in reality, but instead through a fictional narrative. It would be nice if the human spirit could develop, as you put it "consistently kind, compassionate, loyal and persistent" without outside influence, but unfortunately it is not how our psychology, or the real world behaves. If stories like this were true: if compassion, kindness et. all were all coded in our brain through some ingrained instinct, there would not be a multi-billion dollar psychological industry. It is important to make this point, because this IS a fictional story. Too many people would come to the conclusion (after watching the movie) psychological character traits are ingrained, not taught. You succinctly summed it up in your last 2 sentences. . .<BR/><BR/>"Fairy tales are able to ignore certain psychological realities. Prime ministers and education policy makers should not."<BR/><BR/>I could not have said it better myself. Great Job!!! (P.S. hope Noah and the kids are doing great!)Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10406746327091619601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787999482934202364.post-37642941625561883532009-03-16T11:58:00.000-04:002009-03-16T11:58:00.000-04:00There were many messages in Slumdog, certainly the...There were many messages in Slumdog, certainly the vast disparity of social classes in India was brought to our attention. What I loved the most was the way Jamal believed in himself, some here have described this as his destiny. A destiny guided by the destined, perhaps? In our desire to craft policies which address macro social issues , let's be sure we don't overlook the power of individuals. Heroes do inspire.Whit Fletcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09016111706986152923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787999482934202364.post-80954901803549402072009-03-13T16:16:00.000-04:002009-03-13T16:16:00.000-04:00Thanks for sharing Amy! I'll be using these--both ...Thanks for sharing Amy! I'll be using these--both pieces--in my fall course if you don't mind. I'm also adding them to a file that I'm building on why the focus on education is the wrong focus. I am more and more convinced that until we deal with our inhumane web of social policies--housing, food, transportation, health care, crime--we are never going to live up to the possibilities of public education. The concepts of possibility and promise are things that I picked up from Obama. Pre-Obama I was more likely to talk about American mythology than American promise, but I can get on the positive train.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787999482934202364.post-10842837461931051552009-03-13T11:40:00.000-04:002009-03-13T11:40:00.000-04:00I found myself unable to like the film of Slumdog ...I found myself unable to like the film of Slumdog Millionaire very much, because its premise seemed to go beyond magic realism to pure silliness. If I think of it as a fairy tale it may sit better -- the idea of "destiny" is anathema to me, but in a fairy tale it could be allowed, I suppose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787999482934202364.post-32232452790296555632009-03-13T06:44:00.000-04:002009-03-13T06:44:00.000-04:00Nicely said, Amy!Nicely said, Amy!Sejalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08321597702577282719noreply@blogger.com