Brandon’s Comments (group member since Dec 16, 2013)

Brandon’s comments from the On Tyrants & Tributes : Real World Lessons From The Hunger Games group.

Katniss simply put, but had I watched the first movie again, see the second, and then went on to read all the books I could make a better decision.

Jonathan wrote: "More like your average celebrity, because they don't have the opportunity to change the injustice by changing the law, they can only do what Katniss and Peeta did by blatantly showing rebellion on ..."
Yeah, I agree, more so celebrities, which can have all the impact on society and its behaviors.
Its sad, but true.
I have been inspired by some who are more so compassionate, such as Woody Harrerlson who is in the movies.

Jonathan wrote: "We actually started talking in the live stream's chat about the consumerist attitude of people today and the idea that through keeping people busy with temporary pleasures you can keep them from re..."

Yes, but our consumer actions can also make all the difference if we know what is right to buy and where it is from. That is a freedom of choice of ours. Its about finding out the link to a product and whats real. Many people haven't gave that much thought, or may not care to, but it can make a difference. That is part of the battle, but as far as lets say, fuel goes, we don't have much choice, so that requires other form of actions to be addressed for that.
But there is other forms of transportation than again.
Its about your choice.

I really do believe it all does. The grand idea is to keep the people divided and from too many uprising to fight and question the system's motives. To me in our minds that is the deal kind of with the "left" "right" paradigm that the media spins so well and these politicians have sponsors basically just like NASCAR, who donate to them, so whoever is more in the elites favor the better, but the historical evidence of ones time in office is a important thing to look at. The record simply. That has been a problem not knowing our candidates well enough, but to keep us divided and have us cheer as if politics was more for about a team and that is not the idea. Its about he principles of that person and how well they have stayed true to those principles, which should pertain to our Constitution and as a society I believe that is something we need to think about.
Powers have gone unchecked and out of control. Our Constitution was set up too also keep them powers in check.
Washington has become more about business, just like in a way comparing this to the Hunger Games is more of a business which as you know they have sponsors too.
Huh, I never thought about this, until now, but in a way the tributes are almost like the politicians in this case then. Would you agree?

Danny wrote: "I think this is what many people deny everyday of their life, that they think they have control. We don't."

Danny, we do. You can feel however you will about it, but the minute you think we don't you let the enemy win. Many people protest and have not been thrown in jail for different reasons. This was more in your face though, not that they shouldn't have been arrested for it. The news only attracts more people to hear their call though on the plus side.

I believe it is. She must of drawn upon inspiration from it based off what I have read and the town chosen.
The films have portrayed it well as it is almost the roots Appalachian tradition I will say.
I'd say it is a reason against the capitol the beliefs that are held of individualism there as Katniss was taught that by her father.
Thanks for the photos by the way! That was nice to have a look at what we are talking about and a nice behind the scenes of the area too.

Thanks! I so shared this with mu friends. That is unbelievable! I hope things will be ok for them. The police have no right!

Its about the message more than any thing. When I seen the first movie I thought nothing of it. The emotions of the characters got to me and the whole matter. Many movies are sexed up enough, but this was based off a book based for young readers, and I am glad that it stayed grounded in that. I am attracted more to romance than sex in stories, you know naturally it can come behind the scenes any way. Romance is the bigger part of it.

Kelli wrote: "I think that the emphasis on fashion is due to the Capitol citizen's obsession with appearances.
It kind of reminds me of the makeovers that people on reality shows get. In fact it's eerily simila..."

I really agree with you! Wow.
Reality TV show's do this. Image is a big thing, say when it comes to record companies and how the artist look. Is it your true essence or what they are making you out to be? That is the question.
Thank you for warning of the spoilers.

Wow. Oh wow! I never read any of the book's yet, but those words are so strong from those quotes! I want to really get my hands on them now. Lol.
There is so much of a essence of liberty in those words from those questions they ask between what they seek.
The second quote is my favorite.
Thanks Amy for them! I would of been lost with out them.

Tate wrote: "I think this inter-generational discussion is absolutely important. Thinking back over my own life, I wasn't really even aware that the US military was engaged in any foreign interventions during t..."

Man I really agree with you here too! You make so many great points. I am amazed at mostly everyone's responses that I read.

Hyun wrote: "As a veteran myself, I think that her father discussed to her about war in an early age because to let her understand what happens in war. The concepts of war, about violence, about things that hap..."

I whole hearty agree! You really said it.

Jordan wrote: "I think her philosophy is great. And I agree that if people grew up with a better understanding of war and its effects, we would probably be more averse to it as a society. However, while I would s..."

You make a great point!

Well those are some very thought provoking questions. As far as I know she drew inspiration from the novel as it has been talked about from switching the channels from reality TV shows and seeing news of the war and we should question all that more.
The concept of war is what the Hunger Games is built upon as the story goes for the society that it becomes and that is where specifics of it come in for having the Hunger Games I'd say. The nature of it is addressed on different levels I think from in the arena to out of it. The ethical ambiguities differ. To the state as they paint it in their image as with the sacrifice of the teens in the games as people see it as ethical to the outside where people realize the system they live in is wrong where and that is where liberty comes in.
Its not a bad idea to to me to introduce your children to the reality of war and the reasons for it. I mean they will hear about it one way or another in today's world.
In this century it hasn't very well I believe. Young men and women enlist and don't exactly know what they can get themselves into. the image can differ from what they will actually see or deal with.
Education definitely does good as we are learning in this century as for the education of liberty and what its values can teach us from it.
There is people out there that do teach there kids though. I was raised that war was more of a bad thing than a good thing and have taken it to the extreme questioning the wars of today.
Oh yeah, I believe knowing your history is a important theme in the book as it teaches us how the world can change. As for the case in the Hunger Games history has been twisted by the elites, but Katniss knows her true history from her father who taught her everything, so I'd imagine Suzanne thought of her father when she wrote the book.

I will agree that she reminds me much of Luke Sky walker in some ways, but it still has a very much different story and characters, but still the message is the same and that is rising up against a evil empire. They were just on different levels in the movie.

That is a complicated one. I would try to unify against them the best I could, that is if I didn't become snowed by Snow. I would be rising above it as soon as I started to piece together what was happening and discover the light of liberty.

Greg wrote: "Propaganda is no different than any other type of advertising, there has to be some truth to it. Florida can call itself "The Sunshine State" because it is the warmest and furthest south of the co..."

Great point!

Jacob wrote: "We look to the people who have the most power instead of trusting ourselves. I think we have to start trusting ourselves instead of always turning to the government."

I agree. That makes sense.

First of all, let me just say that I am blown away by the article! The article is scary drawing upon this and if society is not careful something as awful as the Roman Empire could happen again due to loss of liberty as one aspect.
The Hunger Games is really a reflection of the past drawing from, Roman, Soviet and German totalitarian leaders undoubtedly.
Just like the citizens of Panem it shows how society had been allured with "bread and circuses" and how leaders would use it to attract them, but also intimate them subconsciously with the big and imposing architecture of their mindset. I believe it surely has been a message in the architecture of the world and buildings definitely as message.
A ruthless totalitarian government had been made to be large and imposing and use fear to intimidate the citizens such as could be the case with militarization of police which you see in the film almost looks like British style uniforms at the districts, but they are all just pawns in the elites system to work for their will and not their own personal ones. That right there is a loss of liberty.
In Italy not too long ago police joined protester by taking off their helmets in an act of solidarity because they were tired of the corrupt government themselves. So people who work for the very powers could come to a realization of what they are partaking in is wrong.

Jonnelle wrote: "Spoilery if you haven't read Catching Fire or Mockingjay:

Mainstay Productions did an excellent short film on a little Katniss and her father (and several other Hunger Games - the Second Quarter Q..."

Amazing Jonnelle! This scene carries a very strong message of freedom! I was so taken in. Thank you so much for sharing this!