Posted on Mar 21, 2015
For research purposes, What was your reaction to the videos showing acts of cruelty by ISIS
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After viewing several of the videos of ISIS committing atrocious acts, I decided to make the effects of the video my research project for my advanced research methods class. The purpose of my research is to see if the videos, whether you watched them or not, impacted you any way.
We all know that ISIS has a mass communications network, and that they use it to recruit and intimidate global citizens. In the past, terror groups have mainly depended on a few websites and the news media to get their message and propaganda out. In the age of the internet, terror groups have seemingly realized that they no longer need to rely on other sources to distribute their message. ISIS has the means now to distribute information via social media, magazines, websites, radio and television.
Some questions to keep in mind while commenting are;
1. How did I feel when I seen the videos, or heard of their wide-spread distribution?
2. Did the videos, or the news of them cause me to want to do something?
Has the videos changed my opinion about the need for America to do something about ISIS?
3. Most have already heard and read of the atrocities that ISIS has committed, do the videos personalize the horror by placing a face with the act?
4. The acts have been committed against citizens of several different countries in the region and globally, Do you think governments around the world should be doing more to stop ISIS than what has been done?
5. Any additional thoughts and comments
The survey questions will allow me to have a set of quantitative data for my paper, however, since there are so many variables to consider and the fact that the videos are recent, most of my analysis will be qualitative. This means I will rely much on conversation in determining the extent to which the videos (ISIS) impacted service members and veterans.
Disclaimer. No names or personally identifiable information will be used in my research. Only comments, the results of the survey, and demographic information will be used. My research at the moment, is for academic research purposes only. In the future I may continue this research for further academic reasons.
Your feedback is much appreciated, and hopefully will help in determining why ISIS felt it necessary to publicize the videos, and what they hoped to gain. Additionally, one day it can help to understand the mindset and give governments and people a way of taking the power away from future terror groups. Ultimately, I believe governments around the globe will have to consider the fact that terror groups such as ISIS are brainwashing and using children to fight. Are nations ready for the possibility that they may have to fight kids. Hopefully enough research will identify how to stop terror groups from using children and how governments can effectively prevent children from being placed in these types of situations.
We all know that ISIS has a mass communications network, and that they use it to recruit and intimidate global citizens. In the past, terror groups have mainly depended on a few websites and the news media to get their message and propaganda out. In the age of the internet, terror groups have seemingly realized that they no longer need to rely on other sources to distribute their message. ISIS has the means now to distribute information via social media, magazines, websites, radio and television.
Some questions to keep in mind while commenting are;
1. How did I feel when I seen the videos, or heard of their wide-spread distribution?
2. Did the videos, or the news of them cause me to want to do something?
Has the videos changed my opinion about the need for America to do something about ISIS?
3. Most have already heard and read of the atrocities that ISIS has committed, do the videos personalize the horror by placing a face with the act?
4. The acts have been committed against citizens of several different countries in the region and globally, Do you think governments around the world should be doing more to stop ISIS than what has been done?
5. Any additional thoughts and comments
The survey questions will allow me to have a set of quantitative data for my paper, however, since there are so many variables to consider and the fact that the videos are recent, most of my analysis will be qualitative. This means I will rely much on conversation in determining the extent to which the videos (ISIS) impacted service members and veterans.
Disclaimer. No names or personally identifiable information will be used in my research. Only comments, the results of the survey, and demographic information will be used. My research at the moment, is for academic research purposes only. In the future I may continue this research for further academic reasons.
Your feedback is much appreciated, and hopefully will help in determining why ISIS felt it necessary to publicize the videos, and what they hoped to gain. Additionally, one day it can help to understand the mindset and give governments and people a way of taking the power away from future terror groups. Ultimately, I believe governments around the globe will have to consider the fact that terror groups such as ISIS are brainwashing and using children to fight. Are nations ready for the possibility that they may have to fight kids. Hopefully enough research will identify how to stop terror groups from using children and how governments can effectively prevent children from being placed in these types of situations.
ISIS
Terrorism
Research
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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When I deployed, I didn't have experience with ISIS, my experience was with the Taliban. Though, they were just a violent, they did not professionally produce videos to be released to the public. This isn't new, humans have been killing humans in exceeding violent ways since the dawn of time. What saddens me is that the general public shrugs this off because it doesn't affect them at the moment. Look at Somalia or Benghazi, a lot of people were indifferent that our citizens were being brutally killed and being paraded around like some trophy. Look at Korean War, WWI, WWII and Vietnam, our enemies have always treated our POWs with brutality. My brothers and sisters go to jail and the slightest perception of wrong doing...
How did I feel? I think 'hearts and minds'...two in the heart and one in the mind. I think that covers 1 and 2. I would love for all of the countries to go and put an end to this. The longer we wait, the larger the issue will be to take care of. We should either "sh!t or get off the pot" as the saying goes. Unfortunately, politics and public perception is how we choose to fight wars these days, which is why we lose to damn many of our brothers and sisters.
How did I feel? I think 'hearts and minds'...two in the heart and one in the mind. I think that covers 1 and 2. I would love for all of the countries to go and put an end to this. The longer we wait, the larger the issue will be to take care of. We should either "sh!t or get off the pot" as the saying goes. Unfortunately, politics and public perception is how we choose to fight wars these days, which is why we lose to damn many of our brothers and sisters.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
SPC(P) Jay Heenan I agree that public perception plays a big role in politics, and when political leaders are down-playing the severity of what is going on then public perception remains as is.
Do you think the videos have emboldened ISIS, and do you think their influence is growing as a result of the video propaganda?
Do you think the videos have emboldened ISIS, and do you think their influence is growing as a result of the video propaganda?
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SPC(P) Jay Heenan
LCpl Steve Wininger
I think that their videos are reaching the people that ISIS is interested in recruiting since their numbers are growing.
I think that their videos are reaching the people that ISIS is interested in recruiting since their numbers are growing.
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Suspended Profile
LCpl Steve Wininger. I avoided watching the videos . . . the news was gruesome enough . . . but the stories and associated videos of the burning of the Jordanian pilot really struck home . . . no quick loss of consciousness from immediate drop in blood pressure to the brain from cutting the carotid artery . . . slow painful death from burns . . . then loss of nerves sensing burns . . . then consciously knowing but not sensing that you are being burned to death . . .
I am rather exceedingly angry . . . lobbying for termination of these atrocities by whatever means possible.
Warmest Regards, Sandy
I am rather exceedingly angry . . . lobbying for termination of these atrocities by whatever means possible.
Warmest Regards, Sandy
LCpl Steve Wininger
1LT Sandy Annala I wish I had never seen the videos, unfortunately, I am having to watch them to analyze their messages. I understand you not watching them, but from your description, it does not take seeing to believe and know what it is like.
Thank you so much for your feedback.
Thank you so much for your feedback.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
1LT Sandy Annala Forgive me if I tread on ground I shouldn't. Did just hearing about the videos bring back memories of what you have been through in the past?
I agree that these atrocities should be stopped by any and all means possible.
I agree that these atrocities should be stopped by any and all means possible.
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Suspended Profile
LCpl Steve Wininger. It is OK. Too many badly burned patients. Seeing, hearing, and/or reading about these ISIS atrocities bring back too many memories. Sandy
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This is not really new information. We all know there are a lot of groups doing gruesome things.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
I agree that there are a lot of groups doing horrific things, however, not many publicize their acts of the actual killing. My purpose is not to give out new information, it is to discover how the information that is out their has caused people to react and their thoughts.
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SPC David Shaffer
It is sad, but honestly, this type of thing does not cause the same reaction that it once would have. I believe the American people have started to grow a tolerance to such atrocities. This situation as a whole does make me ill. The world should not allow this to happen. Until the world stands together to eliminate this type of inhuman punishment from happening, there will be no end.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
I agree SPC David Shaffer to a certain extent. We have been desensitized, however, when a group shows a video of an actual death, I think it affects people more. Our government needs to quit running from the terrorists just to keep a political promise.
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