Let's Talk about This. *Disturbing Topic* [BTS 23]

Thanks for providing those questions, will try to keep them in mind when producing this video. :)

That's actually a pretty good idea, Jesse. Thanks!

I appreciate the thoughtful advice, Brandon. Yeah, I think I'm finding a way to tell the story without being unnecessarily offensive. We shall see!

Talk about balancing "objectivity" and "subjectivity"! Since Pinikpikan is a unique food dish with heavy cultural and ritualistic nuances, it is naturally easier for the viewers to watch a chef or an anthropologist talk about the topic. However, there is a certain novelty in watching you, a foreign TV host and video creator go through and discuss something that is totally foreign (to you) and quite taboo in certain societies. The viewers will definitely be curious to see your reaction. However, the last thing you want to happen is to come across as trivializing or even sensationalizing a topic that is sacred to some but inhumane to others. To this, you might want to put on your BBC presenter hat to be able to do a "documentary" type of content - though I am not sure if this is possible with the material you are working with. If you do decide to release a feature about pinikpikan, I (as a viewer) will watch out for the following: * What was your very first impression or reaction upon seeing how the dish was prepared? Did you show any strong emotion - disgust/shock? Was your curiosity piqued? Did you appear to want to learn more about the history behind the dish? * Upon hearing the explanation behind the ritual/"beating", did your 1st impression about the ritual change? If yes, was the change positive or negative? What learning/s did you take away from the experience? What did the experience mean to you? What message do you want to leave to your viewers?

I agree with a lot of what Brandon said. I also feel like theres other options. I personally find it very personal when you talk to the camera about serious matters. So with that being said if before the party you put a clip in of you talking about your experience and feelings on the chicken/dog and leave those actual clips out, but then post the clips here or a full video here on patreon. then you could tell them if they are more interested in those events to join your patreon. I feel like that could be a happy medium in this situation. Just a thought. Like I said though I am also very much with Brandon.

This is a tough one for me. I'll be honest, it took over an hour for me to figure out what I wanted to say. I think this tiny clip is the first time I've ever cringed or recoiled and had to fight a desire to look away from, or mute, something you've filmed. In this case, it was like two sides of myself were each other: the side that has loved and respected animals since I was a small child against the side that always tries to view cultural traditions with an open mind. I didn't look away or mute it or skip it, though...and now my brain just has lots of questions about the joy and love of the birthday party now that I'm no longer in the heightened emotional state I was in as he grabbed and hit the chicken. I think the best way to handle this as a storyteller is to put your graphic content disclaimer up at the beginning of the video and then show the events of the party, including the fun you had there, as naturally as possible, without building up to this clip and letting the storytelling be as natural as possible and as close to your original experience as you can make it. I'd say to show as much (or as little) of the clip as you want to (or how much you think YouTube will allow), and continue on with the rest of the birthday celebration after the chicken was killed. Maybe you could end the video by talking openly and honestly about the tradition and the feelings you wrestled with regarding how much to share and how to present it in an objective way. I think, regardless of what you do or say, there will be viewers who will dislike the video and let it be known in the comments, and some of them may even go after you personally. I think it's kind of unavoidable with a video like this. But I also think the community of Dragons you've built over the years will appreciate seeing at least some of the tradition and hearing your honesty and candor afterward. Your rawness and honesty tends to make for really impactful videos, and your thoughtful and measured tone, while still being honest, also sparks interesting conversations and forces us to recognize that there are other perspectives to view these traditions from. That's one of the things I appreciate the most about you. What do you think, man? I'd love to discuss this further if you want.

Brandon Moore