Tuesday, April 12 — Looking at life

I'm watching a TV program about the assignments that are undertaken by National Geographic photo editors. The focus at the moment is on some native inhabitants of Ethiopia. The photographer is describing a social situation whereby half the people near a river are going to have their lives destroyed in about three years because of a rerouting of the water that is planned in order to aid another half of the population. Now suddenly, the story has moved on to a group of mormon polygamists in a remote area of Arizona. A zip line going over the cold waters of a small lake into which some of the group drop is shown as the photographer is descending along the line. She has become one with this group. They are fully clothed in long garments while playing in this muddy looking water. The pictures this woman photographer is obtaining are gained by building the trust among this private group of people.

Now they are discussing the April issue devoted to the subject of water around the world. They are moving from one spectacular venue to another. I can't keep up with them but I'm trying hard because the pictures transcend politics and infighting beyond words. Now they are showing two children playing at the edge of an area of the Dead Sea.

Now they are moving on to focus on king Tut, and during a privileged few moments, they were able ply their craft while some time sensitive DNA studies were being conducted by scientists. Mummies, skulls, rapid movement between Tuts grandmother and other members of King Tut's family. Then, just as suddenly, they are gone.

The editor is talking about his favorite pictures from everywhere. A woman photographer is discussing the stories and showing pictures of women in Afghanistan. She is traveling with scientists who are on a mission to study maternal health. An awkward scene of a woman out in the middle of nowhere and about to give birth, is now on screen.

I'm so impressed with the depth of humanity in the discussions between photographers and the head photographic editor. They discuss their goals regarding the telling of stories and the things they want to say.

Women in a desert area spending eight hours a day searching for water. Amazing images of women trekking in stark wilderness. Again, the discussion of goals, of research, equipment, ability to learn about the subjects. The dedication to finding a kind of truth seems to always be present. I love hearing these people talking about their craft. The editor begins talking to prospective photographers about how they can become story tellers by way of the camera and acute sensitivity. I'm about to hunt down my April issue. After taking in this barrage of fast moving images, I can't wait to have a slow motion look at them all.

Just watched a charming, short "Image Makers" film featuring an enchanting couple of dancers doing their thing in the aisles a grocery store. Sweet, quirky and well done.

I can get pretty furious at Channel 9 because of their all too many pledge drives. But in just this half hour I've spent sitting and watching a non pledge sequence, i've seen so much that affects me.

Now Frontline has come on and will be documenting high school football and the rising danger of permanent physical brain damage visited upon its players. Heat stroke in a practice victim whose body went into renal failure after his temperature reached 108. Typical high quality Frontline feature expose. Now two players are critically ill. Eventually one of these boys dies. Now four players in this Arkansas community have suffered the same demise in a one week period. The fact that football mishaps are growing in number is being driven home to the listening audiance. The importance of the fact that these schools are being scrutinized by national media, and college scouts is highlighted. Increased exposure brings increased pressure to do the job. "Football factories" they are calling them. A new landscape of high scool football. The building of an elite football program for which players are training year round. It's time for me to stop trying to relate this amazing documentary to you. But talk of God has entered. Religion and sports are suddenly entirely meshed. National attention, recruiting, The making of a "true superstar" is being profiled, revealing the seriousness of the whole current football situation. Sophmores in high school being marketed and recruited by major colleges. Astounding. Beautiful young men turning into willing gladiators.

Head trauma. 60,000 concussions in a year, brain damage, the whole nine yards. A woman is discussing the autopsied brains of past players. Dementia, damage to the brain that is dramatic.The discussion of the real facts involved in the trauma and health risks being experienced all around the country. Check it out on the internet. It's shocking. They're turning these young boys into huge monsters, some weighing as much as 300 pounds. Being "physical" and "winning the game" is all that matters. Playing so hard that your opponent loses his next game because of violent happenings during this game. Trinity High from Texas displaying virtual monsters. Talk of "war, never giving up, hurting the other guy to the enth degree." This is disgusting and yet I can't take my eyes off of it. "You don't cower down. I'm going to hurt you if you do," says the losing coach. Purdue University is studying the results of non concusion causing brain impacts. Cognitive impairment due to the number blows received by a player. Sensors placed in helmets reveal all kinds of horors. This is a shocking revelation of "informed act of beating peoples brains in." Like boy babes going to slaughter — Willingly.