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Steven Spielberg- Film Director
Contribution to Society
A man who brought much name and fame to Hollywood and the United States is none other than the phenomenal and most powerful filmmakers the country hasThe biggest credit given to Spielberg for his work is his unique interest in science fiction and the spirit of which he kept alive through the dozens of films he made. Spielberg has become a role model for the youth of America as well as the entire world. He has made films like Jurassic Park, Jaws, Close to Encounters of the Third Kind, Schindler's List, and the Back to the Future films and produced many other major movies for introducing a new dimension to films and the storyline was based on a deeper idea but represented in the form of sci-fi. His contribution to society begins with his contribution to cinema. He built a successful new studio to help the revival of animated films; he is the co-founder of Dreamworks, which now rivals the most popular productions like Pixar. (Encyclopedia, 2015). Not only that, Steven Spielberg is a man who has been generous and giving and whatever he has earned has helped the less fortunate and needy, hence, he as a popular filmmaker and producer, also acts as a humble role model that success does not mean forgetting one’s real purpose in life. (Feldmann, 2014).
Problems and Issues his Ideas Solve
Spielberg has always been interested in science fiction, and he has been highly influenced by the mind’s imaginative powers. He has therefore helped to bring back creativity and has created inspiration for many people who still believe in the lighter side of things, rather than only focusing on grim realities. His has helped to bring back the sense of wonder and surprise and awed the audience time and again.
Almost all his movies offer a rollercoaster of adventure, wonder, and thrill, and it is more than just a mere play of visuals and sound effects. His movies have served the purpose of ending many ill-conceived conceptions for instance Schlinder’s List is a movie that honors all the people that saved the lives of a thousand Jews from prisoner camps in World War II.(Encyclopedia, 2015).
Description of Solutions and Implementation of Ideas
His ideas were formulated in the form of movies; when he could not get into a good university to study filmmaking, he did the job on his own by watching movies as much as he could and then using his creative mind to make a documentary that kick-started his career. He implemented his thoughts purely in the form of movies directed at imagination and creativity, using characters far from real life but just as entertaining. (Feldmann, 2014).
Thinker’s personal and social life’s impacts
Spielberg, who, as a child was a person who was afraid of big and dramatic things such as once seeing snakes on TV made him cry for hours. As he grew up, he realized he was always delved in his imagination. Then he began to enjoy the sensation of being scared. This was followed with his interest in photography. He moved to filmmaking as a sole way to express his thoughts with clarity and precision and being the maker of it all; he found immense pleasure in it.(Feldmann, 2014).
His Creative Process
Spielberg’s creative process was simply what lay in his imagination. He used to imagine various images and stories in his head while even observing a crack in the wall and these very thoughts then fueled his desire to work in science fiction. The obstacles he faced were related to settling in the industry, which he did with much ease.
Critique of his ideas
Spielberg’s movies are great for many audiences. However, the failure of many at the box office is due to the fact that they are for a restricted number of people, and many adults don’t watch them. However, if he incorporated more serious issues in his sci-fi then perhaps he could leave a greater impact on the audience. He fits in the present day scenario due to his amazing animated films and productions.
Cornel West
Contribution to Society
Cornel West is a political activist, author, philosopher and a teacher at prestigious universities like Harvard and Princeton. He has written and published many books such as Race Matters, Democracy Matters, Loving out Loud, and many others. He has appeared on-screen in the Matrix sequels, co-hosted a radio show and done much to earn his good name in the society. His biggest contribution to society is when he broke the stigma after graduating as a Ph.D. from Princeton and being the first African American graduate with a doctorate. As a philosopher, he was quite interested in the condition of the African-American population living in the States and the policies made by the government to them, hence he worked a lot for their cause and wrote books to spread awareness. While teaching at Yale, he took part in protests against the South African apartheid regime and even suffered from imprisonment after this. He went into politics and joined the Democratic Socialists, where he is still socially active. He feels that he, as a black person who seems to be influential, can have a possible chance of challenging the status quo and breaking stereotypes. (Biography, 2015).
Problems and Issues his Ideas Solve
One of the biggest issues in American society is that of racial discrimination and prejudice. West’s books and philosophy are aimed at eliminating this prejudice and combating the issue of racial disparity with effective, be it verbally efficient. He also talks philosophically of the factors to success; how it can be achieved by the common man. By stepping into politics, he has shown that black people can have an equally good chance of being accepted by the society provided they prove their competence and distinguish themselves in front of the stereotypes. His ideas spread over a wide range spreading a message of tolerance and compassion as he even writes for a Jewish journal named Tikkun. Moreover, he has tried to improve and enhance parenting and the problems of parenthood in some of his books. (Encyclopedia, 2015).
Description of Solutions and Implementation of Ideas
The only way he seemed that would be effective to get his message of equality and brotherhood across was that of literature. He used his words to profess his ideas of equality and brotherhood in the nation and how the African American race needed to be uplifted. He never stopped for anything and hence while teaching at Yale he joined protests against apartheid in South Africa, for which he even got arrested, but he acted as a role model for the rest of the people. In politics, his affiliation with the Democratic Socialists party was a means of projecting his wish for freedom, equality and peace in the country. He took sides with Barack Obama in the elections, he felt free to go against him as well and this is a proof of his exercise of power against the system, according to what he feels is right and what isn’t. (Encyclopedia, 2015).
Thinker’s personal and social life’s impacts
His personal and social life has seen much ups and downs and he is a great supporter of equal rights as he and his ancestors grew up fighting for freedom. The black race was the slave race, and this concept and opinion had to be changed, which came with an immense number of sacrifices. The Jim Crow laws were implemented on his family and ancestors. Studying at Harvard broadened his mind and shaped his ideas that became increasingly philosophical. He developed his own version of pragmatism that he called prophetic pragmatism, and he inculcated his thoughts and ideas upon the base of others’ philosophical ideas. His hardships taught him love, tolerance, and diversity, and he implied them in his work. (Biography, 2015).
His Creative Process
His creative process arose from his depressing and meaningful past, the life of slavery of his ancestors and how he was prevailed enough to study at one of the best schools. He studied the philosophies of others and they were his inspiration. Moreover, with the hardships on his fellow citizens of the colored race, he was creatively provoked to write books and convey his message.(Encyclopedia, 2015).
Critique of his ideas
His work was most powerful at a time when there was a necessary need to uplift the African American race. Therefore the Literature of the time and his various efforts contributed a lot. He could have perhaps not gone into politics as political ideas can be conflicting with one’s beliefs and people often have to give up for what they believe in the face of political pressure. However, as far as he remains honest, there cannot be any doubt about his ability.
References
Biography. (2015). Cornel West. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/cornel-west- 9528216
Encyclopedia. (2015). Cornel West. Retrieved from
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Cornel_West.aspx
Encyclopedia. (2015). Steven Spielberg Biography. Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Sc-St/Spielberg-Steven.html
Feldmann, Derek. (2014). Steven Spielberg. Learning to Give. Retrieved from http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper126.html
