A Review of Chimamanda Adichie's TED Talk: Danger of Single Story

Chimamanda Adichie TED talk on the Danger of a Single Story gives the aspect of the power of how media can form perceptions that defy actual facts. A talented young author, Adichie, a native of Nigeria provides an intelligent debunking of the characterization of people across the world by the prism of the vision of a single source to what makes civilization work.

In her discussion, the young author expounds on the experiences of the foundation of her love for literature. The books of her youth were by American and English authors, these formed the heart of her belief system for a long period regardless of the fact that she was a youngster in Nigeria. This cultural influence, a position that shaded her view of the world formed the core of her talk. As she grew to adulthood, travel and the introduction of African authors give her perspective to see beyond the forces that ferment her earlier world- view.

The power of media sources whether they be a children’s book or the more complex novels of a Pulitzer Prize winner like Alice Walker is in how the reader comes to allow it to influence their vision of the world. Adichie relates the story of how a trip to Mexico allowed her to see her own prejudices and the misinformation of media sources had on her vision of the country and the populous. She speaks of the personal shame that she felt for having let such media bias influence her.

The overall context of the talk is inspiring from the standpoint that she allows the world to she her flaws as human being while chastising the premise of the influence of Western culture on the masses. In reality, entrepreneurism is not a sole property of the West. Cultural character as well is not the sole property as well. Her talk shows the desire of all individuals to have cultural pride.

In conclusion, Ms. Adichie gives the strength to her convictions that is translated to her audience. By the end, the viewer or the attendee has been opened up to rich history of cultures while being given the powerful warning that allowing a single source to much influence in crafting one’s world view can be limiting.



References

Adichie, C. (Artist). (2009). (n.d.). The danger of a single story. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

Independent Film regroups...

Independent filmmaking and TV producers unlike independent insurance agents are not given a finished product to sale or resource to promote by a larger industry. They are the ones who create, produce, and then try to sell a finished product. While a solitary enterprise in theory,  indies dwell in a system that requires collaborations and associations.

In 2006, the most venerable face of the independent motion picture community in North America the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers ceased operation.  Into the void left by the AIVF's departure a number of trade groups have tried to fill the huge chasm left for indie filmmakers.

The strong effort at industry consolidation in the form of studio mergers and the acquisition of once powerful forces for the distribution of independent films for the equally once powerful theatrical exhibition industry like Miramax and The Samuel Goldwyn Company by larger production studio houses. Disney and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) acquired these two companies. Disney and Warner Brothers went even further and created their own independent studios to take advantage of the trend. 

Still, with these consolidations has come a saturation of productions for the big and small screens that never attain distribution. These voids in access and difficult scenarios for getting films to market have brought the New York based Independent Film Project (IFP) greater influence and membership.  On the other hand, The Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) has been at the forefront of marketing and distributing sponsoring the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California where independent filmmakers can pursue distribution deals.

Currently maintaining a membership over 10,000, the IFP has taken a role to lead filmmakers in their industry pursuits. The association sponsors the Independent Filmmaker Labs™, the Independent Film week™, and the related industry surrounding the independent filmmaker. Ultimately, the association funnels resources for the independent industry in ways that aid them in trying to get films made and more importantly to the marketplace. 

Whereas, the IFTA has started championing the access of independents to the TV market place which has decrease to 18% down from the 50% access available to indies in 1995. Representing 150 companies from 23 nations, this trade association is headquartered in Southern California. By launching the website Fight for Independents, the Alliance see the battleground as one that is between the diminishing window of opportunity for indies and the strength of the consolidated studios and distributors scenario that now monopolizes the market. 

These two associations situated on the two American coasts are now the places where Indies now turn for their unity.