Let's talk about Vice

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I've been watching a lot of Vice videos on their YouTube channel lately. Interesting stuff.


I don't think i've even seen any of the ones in the OP yet. LOL at Icelandic Elf Sex.
 
I just watched the North Korea one and it was great. It was a great insight on the people especially.

I definitely going to watch through all though.
 
VICE hasn't been that great of late. They seem to be focusing too much on "out there" stuff more than usual.
 
I really like their documentaries. I appreciate how they draw light on social issues without being dry and boring.

I almost can't believe they're associated with MTV.
 
I've really been enjoying the HBO show. Need to get caught up, but it's less "edgy" and more just interesting investigative journalism than I expected.
 
AstroLad said:
I've really been enjoying the HBO show. Need to get caught up, but it's less "edgy" and more just interesting investigative journalism than I expected.
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I'm not sure I'd really consider it "investigative journalism". Although they do touch on the issues somewhat, there's really no deep analysis. Instead, it's more like, "Hey come look at how fucked up this place is!" I mean, the episode about the fat farms in Mauritania (?) was little more than the dude going out and being force fed for a few days and talking about how bad it is.


With that said, it's still a pretty good, entertaining show.
 
potam said:
I'm not sure I'd really consider it "investigative journalism". Although they do touch on the issues somewhat, there's really no deep analysis. Instead, it's more like, "Hey come look at how fucked up this place is!" I mean, the episode about the fat farms in Mauritania (?) was little more than the dude going out and being force fed for a few days and talking about how bad it is.
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Well they hear about a situation and then they go investigate first-hand, laying out the history as they know it, and then trying to interview key figures on all sides of the issue. Not a journalism major, but that counts in my book.
 
AstroLad said:
Well they hear about a situation and then they go investigate first-hand, laying out the history as they know it, and then trying to interview key figures on all sides of the issue. Not a journalism major, but that counts in my book.
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I dunno. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I just get a really superficial vibe from the whole show. Maybe they'd do more if the segments were longer than 15 minutes.
 
potam said:
I dunno. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I just get a really superficial vibe from the whole show. Maybe they'd do more if the segments were longer than 15 minutes.
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Well I'm not comparing it to a quality full-length documentary or anything, but as against most other issues shows, I think they do a bang-up job and cover some really interesting and sometimes arcane topics. I mean superficial I think of just hacking together some publicly available videos and throwing some edgy commentary on top of it. The segments may be short -- point taken -- but these guys are boots on the ground and do seem to be trying to do justice to the issue by capturing all sides in at least some way. I guess ymmv depending on the particular segment/reporter.
 
These videos are pretty great, the Portuguese Vice on the other hand is a cesspit of obnoxious and pretentious hipsters, it's filled with disgusting articles. I hate it with a passion.
 
potam said:
I'm not sure I'd really consider it "investigative journalism". Although they do touch on the issues somewhat, there's really no deep analysis. Instead, it's more like, "Hey come look at how fucked up this place is!" I mean, the episode about the fat farms in Mauritania (?) was little more than the dude going out and being force fed for a few days and talking about how bad it is.


With that said, it's still a pretty good, entertaining show.
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That's my problem with Vice, they produce some legit and interesting videos, but most of them are "fuck yeah this is some crazy shit!", basically like Jackass but with an interest in "documentary". It's so superficial and often disrespectful, it's not about learning anything or seeing anything curious, more about "lmao we're young and we're covering crazy stuff, that's so sick!"
A lot of these things are so forced, they don't seem to be interested in exploring the issue at all, they only care about the "craziness".
 
Kikujiro said:
That's my problem with Vice, they produce some legit and interesting videos, but most of them are "fuck yeah this is some crazy shit!", basically like Jackass but with an interest in "documentary". It's so superficial and often disrespectful, it's not about learning anything or seeing anything curious, more about "lmao we're young and we're covering crazy stuff, that's so sick!"
A lot of these things are so forced, they don't seem to be interested in exploring the issue at all, they only care about the "craziness".
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If that's what gives them ad revenue I can't really blame them (plus, I actually like their stuff now). They may look like frat boys in search of cheap scares but I don't always have the time to read an in-depth report by the New York Times. I read them more for entertainment and think "shit, does that thing really exist?" than to understand the world.
 
The Boat said:
These videos are pretty great, the Portuguese Vice on the other hand is a cesspit of obnoxious and pretentious hipsters, it's filled with disgusting articles. I hate it with a passion.
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I just saw this image there:

EqzCY4t.jpg
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lol
 
Just finished the garbage island episode and I too was expecting a huge floating mass of plastic just like they were. The fact that the reality was a million times worse is really sad and scary.
 
jediyoshi said:
The KKK vs. the Crips vs. Memphis City Council
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4DpPhKtwWg
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Lol at the Crips. Talk about a bunch of pussies.

"Its raining dawg. We can't protest. Its dangerous now."

Probably was never planning on going and just wanted exposure.

Kikujiro said:
That's my problem with Vice, they produce some legit and interesting videos, but most of them are "fuck yeah this is some crazy shit!", basically like Jackass but with an interest in "documentary". It's so superficial and often disrespectful, it's not about learning anything or seeing anything curious, more about "lmao we're young and we're covering crazy stuff, that's so sick!"
A lot of these things are so forced, they don't seem to be interested in exploring the issue at all, they only care about the "craziness".
Click to expand...

Vice is Gonzo through and through. You don't watch it to get informed by facts but be entertained by the story and journey. Though they do have their moments of legitimately good journalism.
 
Yeah, love Vice's docos, and various other videos of theirs. Watched most of them. A friend introduced me to the Alaska one and we both watched it together, a peaceful experience actually.

I much prefer the documentaries they produce to the typical style of traditional media. Vice's videos are rarely depressing, even if the subject can be quite dark at times. I think that helps it feel more authentic, in that most of the time it there doesn't seem to be any heavy-handed conclusion or moralizing of the subject. They seem fairly open minded.

That said the difference between the editing of the two videos they made of their trip to North Korea is remarkable. In the first version I saw they edited it with a more bleak, depressing vibe and saying they could only film secretly, and their 'guides' were creepy, etc. In the other version they edited it to make their trip seem far more optimistic - if somewhat bizarre - and also showing they were allowed cameras, and their guides were nicer to them. Still, enjoyed both. I think they balance the mix between awareness and entertainment well.

They also have a rather diverse range of series, such as the Cute Show about animals, Hamilton's drug adventures, Picture Perfect series about talented photographers, Munchies about chef's, and their more feature-length docos.
 
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