This video is particularly
meaningful because of its Kairos. It aired when people were seriously concerned
about atomic bomb threats from other countries during the cold war. It incited
fear and paranoia in its viewers as it urged people to protect themselves in
the case of an explosion. The video gives countless examples of how atomic
bombs are dangerous, such as the severe burns and destruction that can occur. It
is effective because, by nature of the time period, atomic explosions were feared.
The video encouraged people, especially children, to understand the dangers of atomic
bombs and what to do during a bomb threat. This was the perfect time to present
this video because it would be most well received at this moment. People were
seriously concerned about the bomb threats, and people would have gladly
accepted any advice to improve their security during this time.
I agree with you that a civil defense film such as "Duck & Cover," was pertinent to the "kairos" of the 1950's as that era was riddled with war-fueled chaos. The vitality of the film lay in its ability to not only educate the American people of wartime survival, singularly with the menacing discovery of the atomic bomb constricting the American heart, but also quell any fears American children had by manifesting the message with whimsical animation.
ReplyDeleteThe video is effective in my opinion because it captures the sentiments of the entire nation. It came at a time when many feared nuclear war would proliferate the world. It chooses to mention survival, putting the emphasis on the people to essentially protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your analysis that the Kairos of the situation was important in the effect the video had on the audience. However, the video was a product of the kairos instead of the video benefiting from the kairos.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agaree the most important aspect of kairos in this text is the cold war, and the fear that Americans had at the time towards Russia.
ReplyDelete