You can read below the exact transcriptions of the 36+ comments received while the image was on voting.
Sorry folks, quotes of all comments made during voting were erased by the SC on Oct 24 2007. Edited on Oct 27th:They have explained their reasons to do so in the thread.
added on Oct 27th:
THANKS for all those nice comments about the concept and the execution of this image, and the constructive criticism received here and in the thread. We (my model, his parents, and myself) really appreciate your support.
Wow. what a mess! I love the photo because it provokes thought, which is exactly why it is not wanted by some people here on this site. They would rather have "pretty photos" instead of ones that promote thought and discussion.
I have just read through the last couple pages of the discussion in the forum thread. In the last page, just the last page of that thread you were accused by one SC member of not being sincere, accused by another SC of not accurately transcribing the comments from the photo onto the thread(so he deleted them), and then another member (who does not have a camera and just passes judgements apparently) accuses you of "setting up" a commentor by asking her if she would like to join the discussion on the thread so she can explain how she felt.
You certainly handled it much better than I would have. A few months ago I was basically "ran off" of the forums by most of the same posters who were arguing on your thread. I almost quit the site, but then decided just to get out of the forums where my opinions were certainly not appreciated or even taken into account. I was simply being abused on a regular basis. I have said before and will say again that the SC members should have a different way to log in to leave comments on a thread and on picture when they are speaking "as themselves" instead of as a SC member. That way it would not look like the SC was making sarcastic comments towards you or attacking you, but when they need to speak as a SC member they could do so and still be respected as being SC. Of course that suggestion was ignored. :(
i just got a comment on an image thats currently being voted on .. part of which i'll quote here .. "Initially I was going to tank this shot as I felt it was there purely for shock value following on from the controversy over the shot in the pencil challenge" .. so i looked for the thread in question and found "deadly school games" ..
it's very interesting how ppl react .. and so often in a negative way without full information .. if they had all the information they would no doubt revise their opinion .. in both our cases ..
the person in question, who's name is hidden during voting, assumed that i 'created' the image for shock value .. well he/she is perfectly right, yet not for the reason he thought .. i had never seen this image or knew about the controversy ... my attempt at shock value was for the same reason as you .. to try and warn ppl against a behaviour that can only lead to pain, sickness:physical emotional and spiritual, and either a quick death or a slow and lingering one .. its all bad ..
when i put my image in i felt i would marked down because it was controversial & ppl can react in a very emotional way .. like a knee jerk reaction .. but because i have very strong feelings about the subject i decided to do it anyway ..
i feel that with the title ""If you think this could never happen to your child, think again!!" .. your photograph might have gone a lot better and got the desired result .. usually, if we can see it, something good will come out of things we think of as bummers .. so hopefully all the carry on about your excellent image has given ppl food for thought .. and i'm glad that it will be used to good purpose in a place other than dpc!!!
its a wonderfully executed photograph, even tho the subject is horrendous ..
keep well ..
Before doing my transcriptions I saved a copy the original dpc html file to make sure that my quotes would be accurate. Of course, that file is available for anyone who wants to review it, just send me a pm.
Your comment appears to insinuate I may have falsified "a few" of the transcriptions. I have compared all of my trancriptions, not once but twice, and all of them appear to be correct. For the benefit of all users, could you pleae post the comments that you think were quoted with errors?.
And, if you find that they are all correct, could you please edit your comment?.
I am also sending you a pm about this. Thanks
Admin note: This post was a reply to another comment which has since been removed. The transcribed comments mentioned above have also been removed
Message edited by ClubJuggle - Remove quote of deleted post.
Sometimes I'm taken aback by how many people in this world just don't want to believe that there is a dark side lurking just around the corner, next door, or even behind a closed door in their own home. This image is VERY powerful in so many ways, technically spot on IMHO and a very emotional subject matter that is unfortunately becoming more than uncommon in this day and age.
I'm really not surprised by most of the reactions you received on this image; a capture like this will stir the soul of the viewer and make them question their own surroundings and the grasp they have on their little slice of life. As I stated before I find this image powerfully moving and thought provoking. A real slap in the face back to a sometimes unpleasing reality that ought not be ignored. I would hope that the few who view this photo, regardless if they like it or not, would take the time to ask themselves if they've spoken to their children, nephews or nieces, even cousins about the effect drugs can have in their lives; and the lives of the people who love them.
This image stirred the soul of this one viewer and I can tell you in all confidence that I will be talking about the effect of drugs with my boys earlier than expected. They are the most precious things in my life and I will do everything in my power as a parent to educate them and pray they make the right decision on their own when the times comes, because the time WILL come in this day and age.
I applaud you for your courage in creating this image as well as entering it into a challenge that yes, was a "light hearted challenge about pencils" sometimes just when you think that life is all warm and fuzzy it rears its ugly head. It's not a matter of always looking at the negative side but rather addressing the dark in order to walk a little more peacefully in the light.
I also left a comment in the thread. For the record I think this is an excellent image, regardless of how disturbing it is at the same time. It definitely belongs in posters at schools througout the world, forcing adults (parents and teachers) to talk about this ongoing reality.
Its an excellent image with a great concept for the challange as well as for creating awareness against drugs. The very fact that many people found it offensive is a sign of success for the image.its draws a quick reaction, it connects immediately and one gets a feel that this kid is doing something what he should'nt. That surely drives down the point that how children get influenced by the happening around them and they try to imitate elders both in positive as well as negative way. Its depicts a very simple and common happening around us when a child tries to take a chalk or pencil and imitate a smoker - harmless in my opinion. Just by 'not' shooting an image and closing out eyes, we can't expect to deal with serious issues.
Awsome photo, many of the older people might be discusted by it, But some of the younger generation have seen this as common monkey see monkey do. The guys i went to school with started doing drugs around 5th and 6th grade. Its a shame to think how could someone so young and innocent commit something so harmful to themselves. Younger childern today are becomming more prone to drugs, being brought up in a family where the older sibling smokes pot, shoots haroin, or drinks every weekend. Who else would a child look up to rather than there own flesh and blood? Some people dont think its possible. This photo, as far as i can say, is just the beginning of an reality we all seem to never want to face. This photo is one that should be put on the front page of yahoo instead of some review of some football game or the latest coolest movie. This reminds me of an email i got once about the school shootings. It reads as follows:
Dear God:
Why didn't you save the school children
at...
Virginia Tech 04/16/07
Amish Country, PA
Wisconsin
Columbine High School
Moses Lake , Washington 2/2/96
Bethel , Alaska 2/19/97
Pearl , Mississippi 10/1/97
West Paducah , Kentucky 12/1/97
Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97
Jonesboro , Arkansas 3/24/98
Edinboro , Pennsylvania 4/24/98
Fayetteville , Tennessee 5/19/98
Springfield , Oregon 5/21/98
Richmond , Virginia 6/15/98
Littleton , Colorado 4/20/99
Taber , Alberta , Canada 5/28/99
Conyers , Georgia 5/20/99
Deming , New Mexico 11/19/99
Fort Gibson , Oklahoma 12/6/99
Santee , California 3/ 5/01 and
El Cajon , California 3/22/01?
Sincerely,
Concerned Student
---------------------------------------------------
--
Reply:
Dear Concerned Student:
I am not allowed in schools.
Sincerely,
God
This is easily one of the best images I have seen on this site. It is fantastically creative. The composition is top notch, and your execution created an image that is loaded with symbolism and raw with emotion.
To those who were 'shocked and outraged':
We live in an age where children as young as 2 are being sent to see psychologists. Zoloft, Prozac and other 'selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor' (SSRI) drugs are consumed in greater quantities than Advil. Read 'A Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley. Here, I'll even post the link to amazon. //www.amazon.com/Brave-New-World-Aldous-Huxley/dp/0060929871
Don't get me wrong, children should not shoot heroin. But keep in mind that this is art. It is not meant to be taken as a prescription for the day to day life of first graders.
I'm going to leave my comment here and in the thread, because I think a permanent record is important on this shot.
I think your reasons for doing the shot are 100% admirable, and I hope they select this. You went for a young kid imitating an older one, and at least one of the commenters got that point (even though it caused confusion).
In the context of the challenge, though, with nothing to go on but the title, you risked anger and you got it.
This is one of those images that really needs context to be appreciated.
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