Mia Angelique Fowler, Chris Gearheart, Chris Gering, and Brad Herman
Group 1 Blog post
Please watch both videos (links are attached to highlighted words) and respond to the statement and questions below.
documentary
Group 1 Blog post
Please watch both videos (links are attached to highlighted words) and respond to the statement and questions below.
documentary
The first clip is from a documentary about Aron Ralston and the second link is from the feature film about him. Both videos are powerful in conveying messages about the body but in very different ways, one being more cyborg the other more heroic, one playing more on the story-telling aspect and one the visual aspect, and one more personal and the other more gritty. It takes the video of Aimee who grew up without limbs and takes it a major step forward to having to adjust not only to living life without a limb after being so used to having that limb- but to having to get rid of that limb yourself. Aron says in the documentary that the day he cut off his arm was the best day of his life. What do you think about that statement? Is that portrayed in the tim version or the documentary more? Which video is stronger in your eyes of showing his struggle with his own body?
Most people today think that a person is a hero if he or she saves another’s life, but with this example of Aron, one could say that a hero is someone that saves their own life. Aron had absolutely zero people around to help him survive except for one: himself. He took the most extreme measures in order to ensure his survival and if it meant taking off one of his most valued limbs, then that is what he had to do. This takes Aimee Mullins situation to another level because she didn’t have to remove her limb herself. Breaking your arm, sticking a knife into your own skin, and cutting off your artery and nerves is something I could never fathom in attempting to do. Plus, I could not imagine what that tortuous pain feels like, when it is hard for me to even watch it on a movie screen. While the movie may have a hero theme to it, the documentary has more of a cyborg feeling to it. He now has to wear a prosthetic limb and has to adjust to the new lifestyle. Everything he took for granted before such as carrying a gallon of milk or simply holding a pencil is now in the past. Furthermore, most people believe the happiest moment in their life is when they get married or have their first baby, but Aron will undoubtedly remember the best time of his life being the moment when he saved himself by removing his arm from his body.
ReplyDeleteGoing off of that, heroism in my mind really is about self sacrifice for a greater good. He could have stayed there and starved, dying and afraid, but he made a sacrifice for the greater good like chris said. The thing that really struck me about the documentary were his emotions in the end, and how he describes the moment he was free from his arm as the best day of his life, literally a freeing moment. It's weird to think about in these term, that we are so attached to something, needing something, thinking we can't live without something, but then when Aron freed himself of that thing he was so relieved. But it makes me wonder what kinds of things we could adapt to, or get used to not having. arms, legs, organs all of them, any of them. Do we really need these things? Will there come a time in evolution when we don't have those things? Ten million years in the future (if there's still an earth and humans) what will our bodies look like?
ReplyDeletePersonally, the documentary is more powerful to me because we get to hear his personal account and witness his expression at the end of the clip. I cannot imagine having to cut off one of my own limbs and I have the utmost respect for him for doing so to preserve his own life. The film clip, however, raises some interesting questions in my mind. It clearly shows the will and determination that he had to preserve his own life. He was literally able to put mind over matter in order to survive. Months earlier, he was probably preoccupied with paying his bills and working a 40 hour a week job. But through this experience, his mind for forced to shift into self preservation mode. This is why I think it could be the happiest moment of his life. I imagine that the realization that he could get out of the most dire of situations in order to survive must have been empowering. Aron's story brings to question the ultimate limits of the human body. How far will humans go to preserve their own life? Aron Ralston was willing to cut off his own arm. Would I be willing to go that far? I don't know, but I hope so. This story makes me think that our mind's desire to preserve our own lives is so strong, that when confronted with a life or death situation, our minds can take our physical bodies to levels we never thought possible.
ReplyDeleteThe documentary stuck with me the most, though movie clip showed the particular steps and pain Aron went through. The movie clip was intense and graphic making me feel even more understanding of what happened. On the other hand, I appreciated the real emotion that came through his body language and his face when Aron was retelling his amazing story. The best part about the documentary for me was the fact that we got to see Aron alive and well living to tell his story and how he is living his life currently with a prosthetic arm. I noticed his vulnerability that he felt as he was explaining what he went through. I find it funny how such a vulnerable situation can conclude in the happiest day of someones life. The most real and compelling emotion I received in watching the video was his flashback of the moment he got free. By Aron not saying anything at all right at that moment, to me, tells everything. I agree that he is an absolute hero and being a hero to yourself is the best quality because if you're not your own hero how can you be someone else's? To be honest, I don't think I could cut off my own arm, but I don't think anyone can answer that question until they have gone through an intense situation like Aron. He is extremely brave for cutting off his own arm. I think that one's courage is the most honest when put in a dangerous situation, which leads me to the question: does anyone truly know their own bravery or even what bravery really is?
ReplyDeleteBoth the documentary and movie clip portray what Aron had to experience and go through. Imagine just having your arm stuck between a rock and knowing that no one is around for miles to help. The emotions and feelings that he experienced just blows my mind. I feel as if the worst part would be realizing that you have two choses: to die or cut off your arm. Aron is a hero in my mind because he did everything he could to survive. No one really knows what they will do to survive until they are put in that position. Humans have amazing will power to survive, and Aron knew what he had to do and he did it. While watching the documentary, I could still tell that the whole experience was still over whelming to him. After that whole experience being alive is a gift to him, and it should be to everyone. He is a superhero in more than one way. He experienced the most awful pain anyone could go through without any drugs, cutting off a limb. People who hear and see his story realize how precious life really is. I for one look up to him. There are days when we complain, but in the end we are still alive and that is the greatest gift of all.
ReplyDeleteOne detail I find to be interesting is how smart Aron is; he was able to keep his calm under such distress and think logically about how to save himself. He's a true hero, a true survivalist, doing whatever was necessary to survive. Another interesting point is how dispensable our body parts really are, given the right circumstances. Aron was able to make the necessary distinction between living with a prosthetic or dying with a whole body, and thus making an informed decision (the obvious, but most difficult one). I find his message to be very persuasive in two ways; the first is pathos, the emotional attachment that humans have to their bodies; the second is logos, the logic he used to overcome such a duanting situation.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing both of the two videos about this brave man Aron, I feel if I was him it's hard and almost impossible for me to come up with this "dangerous" idea to save myself in such circumstance. But he had no choice he wanted to survive so bad! The strong desire to survive is out of human nature! But even that, I still dare to do so, and I bet most of us would not to do so , either. He's pretty smart , he knew if he cut off his arm he may have chance to survive, but if not, he had to die.The point he's brave is that he can tolerate the torture on his body and flesh, it is extremely painful, which makes him more brave is that he tortured himself, that's even harder for a normal person to do so. Watch yourself bleeding by hurting yourself is unbearable for most of us! But because of the desire to survive is so strong for him and he conquered it ! These two videos convinced me how strong and brave a human can be in front of death !
ReplyDeleteI think both videos are interesting, but the documentary is the one that made me think about what we may be able to do to survive and then, living with the consequences is another challenge, like having no arm or leg, and it's amazing seeing that we have technology and resouces to ease this problem. Using Aron as an example, he does not have an arm, but still, he seems very happy because probably now he knows better than ever how much his life is worth and how good is to have a prosthetic that at least, can help him in some movements, of course it's not the same but, thinking that each little piece of our bodies has its functions, it's good to count on them even though they are " made of steel". After living such experience, I believe he is hero considering his courage and strength that led him to save his life and also a cyborg, as many other heroes that we know.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that the second one did shock me. The extreme exciting face of Aron after he finally breaking his arm is extraordinary if he is in daily life. However, here, the man is in the worst situation ever in which every second of delaying self-saving actions will increase the possibility to die. It is like a gamble, the chance to live depends on how much he is willing to sacrifice. Thus, when the voice that mixed with the groan of the pain and the cheering of the celebration came out of his open mouth, the audience can feel the message implying to them. No matter how bad the situation is, there is always to find a path to get rid of it. Sometimes, we are just not brave enough to sacrifice. Today, in this video the man showed us his conflict of his physical body and his life, in other situations, we may meet the conflict referring the money, moral, freedom and many others. The word sacrifice deserves us to think more.
ReplyDeleteThe movie clip was definitely helpful in imagining the immense pain Aron really went through. I was especially gripped by the effect used when Aron made contact with his nerve. I felt that this was a very good indicator of what that kind of pain is really like. However, the documentary was much more revealing. I noticed Aron rarely, if ever, made eye contact with the camera and tended to keep his head down which to me indicated his nervousness and extreme lasting emotion about the situation. He also used words such as torque, snap, pop, twist, and described the feeling of cutting the nerve as sticking your arm into liquid metal. These descriptive and powerful words tell Aron's story in a much more real sense than the movie clip. Just from these words the documentary can be perceived as equally as graphic as the film. The most interesting scene in the movie to me was the very end when Aron pulls out his camera and takes a picture of what he just accomplished. This shows the pride Aron took in his work and helps me to agree that this might have been the best day of Aron's life. Accomplishing such a feat, regardless of nature, would give such an overwhelming and excited feeling that it could be hard to top those emotions. As far as Aron being a hero, no one fits the definition better - a man of illustrious courage and ability.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Chris Gering and Mia. When I first watched the clip, I instantly saw him as a superhero. It takes a lot of strength and confidence to save one's life by doing something so life changing as what Aron did. And strength and confidence are two strong characteristics of a hero. But as I thought about the clips more, qualities of a shape-shifter became more and more apparent. Not very many people have the confidence to cut of their arm in everyday life. I know I'm not sitting here thinking that I could ever do what Aron did; I can't picture myself cutting my arm off in an everyday setting. But when put in the situation, I would have to shift my mindset into survival mode and do what I would need to do to get out alive. Before his accident, Aron most likely didn't expect to be stuck under a rock and fighting for survival. But once he was in the situation, Aron had to (shape) shift his way of thinking and do something he would never have thought he would have to do.
ReplyDeleteWow that was GRAPHIC.! Any who I wouldn't necessarily say that he is confident for the simple fact that in the documentary he barely, if ever, looked up at the camera. He may be confident in the sesne that he talked about it but you could tell it was very hard for him and emotional. But yet he describes it as being the happiest day of his life. hmm?? It probably shocked him just as much as it shocked us. Who would ever guess that one day your going to have to make a descision either slowly and painfully die or go through even more pain and stay alive. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. And that's exactly What Aron did. Crazy thing is you won't actually know until it's happening and you'll then REALLY discover how brave and strong you are. Aron is one tough cookie and for this I salute him.
ReplyDeleteAron definitely displays the traits of a superhero. He was thrust into that situation without warning or choice, and he was forced to rise to the occasion and do what he had to. Doesn't this sound a lot like many superhero movies? Some examples could be Spiderman, Hulk, and many other literal superheroes as well as the main protagonist in the majority of films. Aron also does show traits of a cyborg with his prosthetic arm. However, with this inspirational story, he puts a new spin on the main idea, intentionally or unintentionally, that Aimee Mullins was trying to get across by emphasizing more of the appreciation of the human body, what it can do, and the opportunities that prosthetics provides. This also leads into what the human body is capable of not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Aron's struggle wasn't just with his physical body, but he had to fight an incredible battle mentally as well. The type of mental strength it would take to severe one's arm and keep pushing through it is astounding. I have watched the whole movie before, and it is quite moving. It makes me question really where this sort of mental strength and courage could take us in our everyday lives if only we could tap into that whenever we want and not only in situations in which we are forced to, such as Aron's. Hats off to you Aron.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that Aron's story really shows me is what one is capable of doing under such extreme circumstances. I mean I really don't know if i were in a similar situation is I would be able to repeat Aron's feat. Circumstances such as this or (sorry for this comparison but it happens to work) the ones victims find themselves in during movies such as the Saw series show truly how the only difference between an ordinary person and a superhero is what lengths they are willing to go to when the situation arises. This shows the length that one's body and more importantly one's mind can be pushed when life and death hangs in the balance. I hate getting shots alone, so the thought of my mind having to overcome the pain of my body is something that i really can't fathom and i don't think anyone really does until the situation arises and they show who they truly are.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the most powerful of the two videos is the documentary. The way that Aron describes all of the feelings that he experienced is just unreal to me. The movie definitely gives a good feeling of what he went through, but to hear his own personal thoughts on the joy he felt when he finally cut off his arm, it is unbelievable. With this, it is easy to call Aron a hero. Superhero at that. Many people in that situation would not have been able to bring themselves around to doing that. To build up the courage to endure such large amounts of pain, along with even being able to force yourself to inflict that pain to yourself is just beyond me. The best part about this story is clearly the joy on his face when he talks about finally being free. To be able to endure something like that for 5 days, I cannot imagine the euphoria that he felt when he was finally freed. It is truly a great story.
ReplyDeleteIt’s already extremely hurting for me to watch the document by trying to imagine how horribly painful it would be that I couldn’t even finish the movie video. He was describing the nerves that he was cutting as” this pasta thing”, like he was telling somebody else’s story, and that truly broke my heart. While we were complaining about how hard life is, he’s wish was simply to be alive. To me, he is definitely a hero. If a guy who saved his life in such a situation is not, then who is?
ReplyDeleteWill I be able to do the same thing he did if that ever happened to me? I don’t think so. But that’s just a hypothetical situation. If that really happened to me, if I was facing that choice between sacrifice or die, mine choice might be different. How far can you go? It left to us to think about.
To be fair to Aron, I dont blame him for being a little reserved when giving the interview. Even though he didnt look at the camera it still took him a lot of guts to relieve such a horrific event in his life. Im sure its never easy for him to recount the events, because with ever recollection, the pain that came with the decision to save himself rushes back. I believe it is harder for him to live with the prosthetic because he know what a real arm felt and worked like. True he probably would rather be alive with a fake arm rather be dead with a real one, but he knows his life will and has changed forever because of it
ReplyDeleteI think he considered that to be the best day of his life because he literally got a second chance at life. When someone goes through something like that it changes them forever. I think you can really see his change in the documentary. When talking about that memory it doesnt come across as something painfully haunting but just as a very powerful life altering moment. The movie clip is difficult to watch just for its sheer gruesome nature but it definitely shows the power of the moment and the courage he had to have had to do something so drastic
ReplyDeleteWhen Aron describes the day he cut off his arm as the best day of his life, he demonstrates his view on life. Before that day, I believe Aron felt he hadn't lived a day worth while. I think after Aron made the decision that would be the most important of his life, his perspective on life changed completely. He became more aware of the meaning of life and what is most important to him. He became a hero to many in the decision he made and the courage he portrayed. While the version of him cutting off his arm may be more powerful to the eyes, the documentary can be equally as powerful in the emotion he presents. The way he overcame his struggle of being stuck in the cave, and perhaps stuck in life is what truly makes him a superhero. However, it makes me question how things would be different if this would have happen to a woman. Would a woman have the guts to do such a thing, and would she give up the image she had?
ReplyDeleteI think that Aron remembers the moment he cut his arm off as the happiest moment in his life because he was just so relieved he was going to live. I admire his courage throughout this entire situation. Many people forget that he had been trapped in that hole in the rock for five days already. He was starving and drinking his own urine to survive. That in and of itself is heroic to me, just because he was able to survive that situation, and then on top of that he managed to amputate his own arm. Extreme situations bring out a person's true character, and Aron is more heroic than most.
ReplyDeleteWhat Aron did to survive is truly remarkable. Going back to that spot where the most traumatic event of his life took place is almost as remarkable. The pain in his eyes during the interview is haunting. The decision he made to cut off his arm was the hardest decision he will probably ever face. The decision was made easier though because if he didn't he probably would have died a slow and painful death. I feel most people would rather cut off their arm than die, but that still doesn't make that easy by any means. Watching the movie clip was extremely hard because as he was slowly cutting off his arm I was imagining myself in the same situation. This was a truly life changing event for Aron and he won't ever be the same physically or mentally. To answer Chelsea's question I do believe women in that situation would do the same. Facing life or death I feel that most people would undoubtedly choose life. Even if that means losing an arm or a leg. I believe this story of Aron should get everyone to reevaluate their lives because lets face most of the stuff we complain about is nothing compared to losing an arm.
ReplyDeleteI think it takes a lot of determination when it comes down to it to survive something like having your arm stuck in the rock like Aron did. Once you realize that your only way out is to cut your own arm off, your mind probably goes through so many ways not to do it and if that is the only option. The scariest part for me was when in the movie, the guy felt the pain when he was trying to cut his nerve. I dont think i would be able to handle myself in that situation. I would never be able to watch myself cut my own arm off and i really hope it never comes to that.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this movies earlier but watching the documentary gave me a whole different perspective. Hearing the story from the man who actually went through the horrific and painful incident was very touching. I could see his expressions and the pain and dread in his eyes when he was describing the surgical procedure he was doing to amputate his own arm, which you cannot see or feel it in the actors eyes or expressions completely because he himself did not experience it himself. When Aron said he finally broke free for e few seconds he stopped, he lost words because I think words weren't enough to explain or describe the feeling it must have been that how happy he was that he is alive, he did it, he is free and then there must be grief of losing his arm as well at the same time.
ReplyDeleteAron was determined as he said "I was not gonna die here, that was an astonishing power." He chose to live and not die in the canyon as many have explained above. If I was in a situation like that I dont know what I would do. Probably the will to stay alive and move on would keep me going as well as Aron explains.
(Sorry for a late post. I had posted this on the due date but for some reason it didn't show up which i Just checked. So I'm re-posting it. Sorry again)