I agree with this post, that’s why I used only images of wild-living animals in my book. I know that other folks think disturbing images can help shake people out of apathy, but for those of us who already care deeply, are these images helping or hindering our resolve? The point should not be to make people so traumatized that they feel hopeless about the whole subject. I’m talking about the kind of graphic image that turns your stomach and comes to you when you’re trying to sleep. Not necessarily like the photo of the bare-assed hunter sitting on the head of the deer he killed– although that one is disturbing and stomach-turning in its own right. I mean the kind that makes you feel like you’ve reached overkill (so to speak) and burnout on the whole issue.
Once again, I must complain about awful, upsetting images on petitions. Why do they need to be there? People who wish to sign petitions against cruelty do not need to see the images. Just reading about what’s happened is traumatic enough. I may be sensitive, but I do wish people could respect that, instead of trying to force me to endure traumatic memories for a long time afterwards.
Exposing the Big Game 
This is such a tough one. The images can shake people up — some of my acquaintances get stirred into action — and here I thought they already were aware and didn’t maybe need the insomnia inducing pictures. I have to avert my gaze as I DO get insomnia from the bad images and find myself distracted to the point of physical illness and unwanted images replaying themselves in my head. I am bombarded with these images — dogs being boiled alive, wolves being tortured, kids with murdered crows, and on and on it goes every day all day. I wonder at times if I am getting some weird PTSD from this. But I don’t have an answer.
I’m sure some of us in the animal movement are on the verge of PTSD. In this day and age of information overkill, it’s hard not to reach the burnout point. Several good articles have been written on the subject. I’ll post them as I find them.
Karen I couldn’t agree more. Well said!
I watched horrifying videos of animal slaughter, wanting to KNOW. One was so hard I literally jumped off my chair. BUT my awareness has grown and every time I see fur I feel it. Exposure is good so we cannot pretend such doesn’t happen and look away. even if it is painful. (like the Nazi concentration camp movies I saw as a child)
I’m glad it works for you. I don’t think it’s fair to say that others who are disturbed want to pretend it doesn’t happen. I know it happens and can visualize it just by reading about it.
I have seen it used where i felt like it was gratuitous and I didn’t feel like that was effective at all. But i have also been in the state of mind where I felt that I just couldn’t afford to immerse myself in one more animal issue and then seen an image that made me decide to actively adopt that cause as well. I guess I just feel like its good to have an arsenal of approaches because you never can tell what will move someone to action.
I love this blog BTW, and the book. I’ve got so much great info from it and look forward to reading it (even the painful stuff!) when I see it in my inbox. It must be really time consuming, but it is appreciated!
Thanks, I appreciate hearing that.
I am still haunted by horrible images of abuses I have seen, and although they can be overwhelming when overused, I still feel they have their place. People deserve to know the truth, and I don’t want someone else deciding what I am and am not, emotionally capable of handling. Sometimes there is no better way to let the public know the truth than to let them see it for themselves, but I agree graphic images are best when used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary to tell the story.
However, to purposely hide these images from the public seems patronizing and wrong on some level.
“graphic images are best when used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary to tell the story.”–Agreed.
They are rough to see – but if we don’t see them, people have a tendency to pretend everything is fine and dandy, and believe what we are told. I can’t help but wonder if certain people don’t want us to see them so that we’ll all remain dumb and happy, and they can continue on with their cruel ways.
I should add that when I see them, they only increase my resolve to stop the cruelty. When can never not see.
To me that picture was a strange kind of comic relief. Just points out what kind of sub-species hunters are. I need comic relief. I am surrounded by deer slaughters at every turn here.
You mean the picture of that Frank Jackalone character? Gross!
Distressingly gross! Sorry to have shared it, but it sums up their attitude so well.
And as they say, we need to see with our eyes what they feel with their bodies. I agree, seeing the graphic photo’s only strengthens my resolve and fuels the fire in me to keep fighting, to stay in the battle. I do not click on video’s anymore though. I am destroyed for weeks after watching videos.
Some still photos can have the effect.
The full effect is better achieved with photos, especially for many who access that information better. Photos better show the cruelty of our fellow man,