Every morning I wake up (at least so far ). Every morning I turn on NPR, I make some coffee and I peruse the internet. And every morning the Human Condition is exactly the same as it was the day before.
And so it was again yesterday when I learned about Louie Psihoyos' new movie project "6" [hat tip, reader Alex]. I suppose the title stands for "sixth extinction". Louie founded the Ocean Preservation Society, which makes documentaries about saving animal life the oceans.
Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) is a non-profit organization that creates film, photography and media, inspiring people to save the oceans. Founded in 2005 by renowned photographer and avid diver Louie Psihoyos [pictured below], OPS is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, conveniently between two oceans...
I lived in Boulder, Colorado for 14 years. You can believe me when I say that Boulder is the delusional fantasy capital of the world. Boulder is "conveniently" nowhere near the ocean...
The Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) produced its first film, The Cove, which has garnered over 70 awards globally, including the 2009 Academy Award for best documentary.
An annual dolphin massacre in a secret cove in Taiji, Japan suggests a microcosm of a larger picture, man’s disregard for life. The theme broadens – coal-burning facilities multiply across the planet, leading to high mercury levels in seafood, man’s primary source of protein.
The Cove follows an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret.
Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide over a million people to action.
Over a million people inspired to action! 1.7 million to be precise; they signed a petition.
This time around Louie has enlisted another "elite" team of activists and covert operators to expose the trade in endangered ocean species. Once again, Louie uses "state-of-the art" techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras, to make the magic happen.
Well! That was some tittilating and breathless bullshit, wasn't it?
Louie is certainly not saving any dolphins (The Cove), nor is he going to save any endangered species ("6"), but he certainly appears to be gunning for a 2nd Academy Award for Best Documentary, if that trailer is anything to go by. Now watch the The Cove trailer from 2009
Exactly the same bullshit! Well, not exactly the same because there was even more marketing slime this time around.
Oceanic Preservation Society, Louie Psihoyos’ non-profit organization responsible for producing Academy Award-winner The Cove, is making a new film, and it looks pretty damn exciting. If you’ve never seen The Cove, I’m guessing that a) you “aren’t the documentary type,” b) you’ve never browsed through the Instant Watch titles on Netflix, c) you’ve been meaning to watch it, or d) you hate dolphins.
However, if you have seen The Cove, and it moved you in any way, then bring a diaper with you to see The Heist because you might wet yourself.
Yes, that sounds insane, but that’s the level of hype Psihoyos and company are pushing for their follow-up. Perhaps the hype won’t be for naught: On Monday, OPS launched a Kickstarter to raise the final 50 grand needed to pull off the film’s epic money shot.
[My note — Louie & Co. renamed The Heist to be "6"]
I could wipe the floor with Louie and the Ocean Preservation Society all day long and never tire of doing so—they only seem to "uncover" problems in faraway Asia—but you might be wondering about the title of this post. The title was "inspired" by these lines from the "6" trailer.
The idea is to inspire people...
Right. The idea is to inspire people to sign a petition action; it is not Louie's intention to hype the bejesus out of phony "investigative journalism" to win another Academy Award and put dumbasses into theatre seats.
Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. There's so many people who sit back and say "we're screwed," but you know what? That one candle may [inspire someone else to light] a candle and I think that's where movements are started.
Let me tell you something, Louie. I'm one of the people who says "we're screwed" and I will tell you why. I say "we're screwed" because the world is overflowing with people like you pulling off cynical stunts like this.
People like you embody the darkness I am not supposed to curse.
There is the Real Thing, and then there is Self-Serving, Pandering Bullshit. What is the difference between them?
All the time on this blog, I feature real working scientists (like Lisa-anne Gershwin or Daniel Pauly) or journalists (like Elizabeth Kolbert) who spend their time writing books and warning clueless humans everywhere that they are fucking up this planet. None of those people use "state-of-the-art techniques" to go undercover to make their points or sell their books. None those people launch $50,000 campaigns at Kickstarter to fund an "epic money shot."
None of those people will ever win an Academy Award or achieve any widespread, lasting recognition for their truly serious and priceless contributions to human civilization because human civilization is largely made up of superficial, narcissistic, self-serving, attention-seeking posers like you.
So, screw you, Louie.
Just love your posts Dave.
I'm sure you don't realize how many of us out there really value what you write.
Thank you for your efforts - no matter how ineffective you may think they are, they are important.
They are important.
Oh, and one more thing.
Fuck you Louie!
Posted by: Germ | 04/27/2014 at 02:50 PM