The last two weeks I’ve been too busy to blog much, but I’ve kept track of some interesting reads that have crossed my desk. Yes, many relate to Kony 2012. I’ve been happy to see a nuanced conversation emerge around the issue, with the critiques receiving almost as much attention as the video.
(Oh, and before getting to the links: I’m now “pinning” on Pinterest. It’s like a visual variation on Twitter. Most of the content relates to fashion, interior design, or other fields in which my lack of interest is only matched by my lack of skill. But I’m hopeful that there are knowledge-sharing uses as well. Check out my main page, or the boards I’ve created: ideas, awesomeness, books, and tools.)
More Kony 2012 commentary worth reading
The White Savior Industrial Complex – Teju Cole transcends the immediate debate to make the broader points about US foreign policy
Unpacking Kony 2012 – Ethan Zuckerman with a better version of the piece I tried to write
The Road to Hell is Paved with Viral Videos – David Rieff pulls no punches: “…what Invisible Children is actually calling for is war…”
Ugandans react with anger to Kony video – a report on a screening in northern Uganda
An Open Letter to Invisible Children Supporters – by Shawn Ahmed. With regard to the previous link, he comments:
First and foremost, what should be the top priority to any individual or organization working to serve those in the developing world are the views, attitudes, concerns, and objections of those in the communities that are directly affected by such work.
If people are throwing stones and near-rioting over a video created by an organization – that should be taken as nothing short of a complete crisis for that organization. And supporters of said organization should be seriously pausing and reconsidering their continued support of said organization.
Finally, because I often berate celebrities, I’d like to take a moment to give props to Don Cheadle and Ben Affleck.
Other topics
Nigeria’s Battle for Stability – great piece from former US ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell
Understanding The Al-Shabaab/Al-Qaeda ‘Merger’– by Abdi Aynte
How to spot a terrorist? He yawns, stands still, perspires unusually – unhelpful advice from the FBI and DHS
Why I am leaving Goldman Sachs – by Greg Smith. Also be sure to read: Why I am leaving the Empire – by Darth Vader
Paintballing with Hezbollah – an entertaining and insightful account of exactly what the title says (h/t Chris Albon). An excerpt:
Great links, took me several days to get through them all. Thanks for the enlightened insights into Kony 2012 – it’s one thing to feel vaguely uneasy (as one of my friends on Facebook said, “Hey, Americans – clicking ‘like’ won’t bring down an African warlord’) but much harder to fully understand what’s going on. By the way – the paintballing link is wrong – think it should be http://www.vice.com/read/paintballing-with-hezbollah-0000151-v19n3?Contentpage=1