Documentary Rhetorical Analysis II

Craigslist Joe (continued)

Essential Questions:

1. How have modes of communication been a reflection of history and society?
2. How have modern modes of communications been perceived and received by the global community?

These questions hit at the core of Joseph Garner's personal journey into the labyrinth that is Craigslist.  He set out to find community in a world that has become isolated and individualized due to the overuse of technology.

As a society, America has mutated into the world's largest 'Me First' culture. European's may have established the idea of personal property, but nothing like the extremes we take it to today. Consumerism and individual professional advancement are trademarks of the American Dream. Modern modes of communication have played a significant role in this. With the development of cell phones and instant messaging through computer databases, people are talking face to face less and less. It's a rarity to receive a handwritten letter-- something so commonplace just 50 years ago. This technology largely removes the personal warmth from communicating. That's not to say that a sweet text or email isn't still sweet, but it certainly doesn't compare to seeing someone's labored handwriting on the front and back of a wrinkled piece of paper that took 2 weeks to get to you. That's another issue. Not only does this technological advancement reflect growing American individualism historically and societally, but also the pace of American life. Patience is not a virtue in modern America. When people can be contacted instantly by email, text, or a phone call, laborers have no excuse not to respond immediately. The idea of 'down time' has been largely culturally obliterated as people in the working world are technically always 'on call'. Personally, I think this is a very destructive trend. The generation being cultivated right now in middle schools, high schools, and colleges are under more stress than any that preceded them. It can be blamed on the poor economy and struggling job market, but truthfully, it's more likely those impossible expectations set before us that are at fault. This generation is going to accomplish great things, but in order to do that it can't burn out after grad school. Modern modes of communication have created such a sense of rapidity that people feel guilty not doing things immediately. This really shouldn't be the case.

Modern modes of communication are obviously largely beneficial, however, and their widespread acceptance by the global community is proof of that. Being able to speak with someone quickly can prevent disaster, provide convenience, and catalyze progress. Does it have destructive effects? Yes. But there's two sides to everything. By some, like Joseph Garner, it has been perceived as almost a new form of community in and of itself. The internet has the ability to bring together groups of people that may never speak or meet otherwise, and that's actually pretty amazing. Despite a small sense of watered-down authenticity in this form of communication, it has proved itself useful. Just walking through high school hallways you see those kids that would probably cry if you took away their cell phones. This attachment to technology may make people more individualistic, but it also illustrates that whatever feeling of community they receive from it means something important to them. Teenagers growing up in this technological culture has painted them in a strange light, however. Older generations are constantly saying they don't understand all the new gadgets we utilize today, but the older generation never really quite grasps the trends of whichever teenagers they're criticizing. So that's not really anything new. Overall, modern modes of communications are widely accepted. Sometimes this acceptance deserves to be challenged, but the convenience they provide largely overshadows their detriments. As we go forward their lasting effect on American society and the attitude towards that will become increasingly clear.

Documentary Rhetorical Analysis I

Craigslist Joe

With nothing but a backpack, a lap top, and a toothbrush, twenty-nine year old Joseph Garner set out on a journey. His one goal: to survive for a month solely by the goodwill of strangers from Craigslist. In today's growing environment of technology and rapid industrialization, Garner took note of a disheartening sense of isolation. He believed that the idea of 'community' was slowly receding in modern America, and this social experiment put that theory to the test. His hope being that kind individuals willing to help their fellow man still existed. In the technological age it only made sense to conduct this test using a vast online community such as Craigslist. For those that are not familiar with the site, it offers a myriad of advertisements offering just about anything and everything-- from used cars, to dinner dates in Vegas. Each day Joe would publish an ad stating something along the lines of requesting food/shelter in exchange for labor or other services. 

On the first day Joe struggled to even eat. His fears about this lack of community were becoming extremely real and he questioned whether or not the experiment was even going to be a success. Throughout this difficulty, the documentary shows time stamped periods at the bottom of the screen. This explains to the viewer that hours have passed and Joe still isn't making any progress. It's especially effective as the day is winding down and the viewer can think back to how early in the morning he began this journey, and yet still hasn't really encountered the kind individual he's searching for. However, the tension and frustration one feels as the hours tick by breaks when a man finally does offer Joe a place to sleep and what food he can provide. It's almost more relieving this way because viewers honestly could understand him giving up at this point. Therefore, these time stamps create an overall mood of anticipation and establish pathos, or Joe's emotional tie, with the audience.

In addition to this consistent time-stamping, the language of the film has an overall effect on its feel and message. A lot of jargon is used and the tone throughout is generally informal. It never once sounds scripted. This gives viewers a very genuine feel of the experience through Joe's eyes. He just seems like a normal guy trying to prove that there's still good in the world, but he could be any normal guy. He could be your brother, or your accountant, or the bag boy at your grocery store. His story just seems so real and pleading. He wants to find the good in the world so badly, and he goes about it in a way that's extremely doable. His diction, as well as that of other individuals in the film, makes viewers feel as though they know him and his journey in a very personal way. Additionally, this is somewhat of a persuasive tool because it motivates viewers to go on similar personal journeys. After watching the film it's very tempting to seek out the kindness of strangers, something that's been said to have disappeared long ago. Craigslist Joe illustrates that it's not gone, you just have to do a little digging.