VICE is important to me for a few reasons. First and foremost are the stories they choose to shine a light on. The list of topics that don’t get mainstream media coverage is long. Or if these topics are getting mainstream attention, sometimes we’re not seeing the whole story. In this week’s episode alone, we learn that Boko Haram is more deadly than ISIS and that not only are designer babies a real thing, but that we have the ability to control our own evolution. Why aren’t more people talking about these issues? Is it that people don’t know or don’t care? Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with the information once you have it. But the fact that VICE is bringing us these stories speaks to their urgency. Let’s take a closer look at the Season 4 premiere.
“Boko Haram†synopsis, from HBO:
The terrorist group Boko Haram is responsible for thousands of deaths in Nigeria. Now, the government is determined to drive these militants from the country. But is the hunt for insurgents causing as much harm as it’s preventing? Former Navy SEAL and new VICE correspondent Kaj Larsen travels to Nigeria to see what this cat-and-mouse game means for the people caught in the middle of the fight.
In this story, we learn more about the origin of Boko Haram and how Nigeria’s military response to the threat might be creating more insurgents. In addition, the fact Boko Haram has moved beyond Nigeria’s borders and has pledged alliegence to ISIS doesn’t bode well for the region or the rest of the world.
“Unnatural Selection†synopsis, from HBO:
For centuries, scientists have been working to change the genetic traits of plants and animals. Now, the new gene-editing method CRISPR has made that process astonishingly simple — so simple it could easily be used on humans. Isobel Yeung reports from Brazil, Scotland, China and the U.S. on the technological advances that could reshape evolution as we know it.
Here are some of my questions after watching this segment:
- How far is too far when it comes to gene editing?
- Just because it’s possible to pick the sex or the eye color of your baby, does that mean you should?
- What’s the real danger in completely eliminating something from the gene pool?
- Is a genetic arms race upon us?
This season VICE will also investigate the Syrian refugee crisis, euthanasia, gay rights, the plight of Afghan women and more.
Season 4 of VICE premieres Friday, February 5th at 11/10c on HBO.
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