The Shock Doctrine
In class, we recently had to look at Naomi Klein’s “The Shock Doctrine”. This was a very interesting piece of risk communication that has been circulating throughout the nation. The argument she makes is very interesting. She is comparing human physical shock to the psychological shock that people have after a disaster occurs; such as war or a natural disaster. She in turn is tying physical torture that was used in such things as shock therapy to the economic depression and the theory of the economic world. While the argument is very interesting, one must wonder if one actually feels the same shock in both of these situations. If these shocks are biologically and psychologically different, then one can definitely see a huge flaw in the argument. One of the best representations of this argument can be seen in the video Klein had directed by Alfonso Cuaron. The video is a preview for the book and leaves the audience in a twisted state with the disturbing images, flashing facts, and the mix of bold red colors with black and white images. The preview itself, I think could both hinder people from reading the book and raise curiosity in others. It will be interesting to see how the response from the world is.
