Please answer the following questions/prompts about the video clip, "Pure Corruption," and incorporate your answers into a 200-word paragraph.
What is the overreaching point of the clip?
What are some of the minor arguments in the clip?
What is the main argument the clip made for its audience?
What are some repeated ideas?
Describe some of the new words in the video, and define what they mean in the context of the clip's main topic.
Stick to information that was only in the video and nothing more. Please keep your post free of opinion, as this is mean to only be a summary.
By Friday, midnight, reply to a classmate. Point out one aspect of your classmate's summary that made sense to you, and mention one aspect of your classmate's summary that you disagree with and explain why.
Please remain thoughtful and respectful with your interactions with each other.
For those who did not make it to class, please post your blog before midnight tonight. The clip we watched was Chapter 2, "Pure Corruption" from the movie, Freakonomics. You can also find the video clip on http://vimeo.com/12033732, or on Netflix instant watch.
The chapter “Pure Corruption” in the book “Freakonomics” is about the hidden corruption within sumo wrestling and their attempts to keep it so. The author use statistics in the form of numbers and percentage of how likely a particular wrestler is going to win during certain circumstances. A summon wrestler needing a win, for example, “has a 75% chance to win a match compared to 50%” when their opponent does not need a win. The importance of that win, as stated by the author, could be the difference from being shunned and becoming a “sekitori”, or “top ranking wrestler. The author also emphasizes the purity of sumo wrestling since its beginning by specifically going over their ceremonies and traditions that give the “tatemae”, which means façade, of being pure and holy even. The significance.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you put in the percentages for winning. Made it clearer for me. I am not sure about the last part of the paragraph "the significance." I think the ending needed a little bit more.:)
DeleteThe main point of Pure Corruption was that even in a pure sport or institution there is corruption. The sport of sumo wrestling has been around for thousands of years and has been a very pure and honne-“real truth” sport all about honor and praising their gods. There’re statistics that show that “Yaocho-rigged match” has been happening. Numbers show that a sumo wrestler with a record of 8:6 will let another sumo wrestler with a record of 7:7 win so that they can move up in rank and live a better life. The higher ranked people (tatemae) will let lower ranked people win 75% of the time shown by statistics.
ReplyDeleteThe clip “Pure Corruption” uses statistics and financial evidence to talk about the idea that there is such thing as corruption in the pure institution of sumo wrestling. Numerous times the clip discusses the financial state of sumo wrestlers and how important some matches may be for their income. It also states frequently how close the sumo community is and how difficult it would be for a sumo wrestler to be exiled from that community if they were to ever lose a spot in their rank. The clip goes on to talk about honne, meaning the real truth. And “tatemae,” which is the Japanese word for something that isn’t what it seems, a façade. The clip suggests that the sport of sumo wrestling might have a dark background that has deteriorated the meaning of the spiritual rituals of the sport. “Pure Corruption” claims that "yaocho" meaning a "rigged match" has been happening under everyone’s noses for years. The emphasis on the purity of sumo wrestling is visited often throughout the clip in regards to the statistical information that begs to differ that the sport is not as honorable as it has been made out to be by saying, “purity is a good mask for corruption.”
ReplyDeleteVery well said. Like the way you added much of what the video actually said. The one thing I believe should of been added is how people mysteriously wind up dead when they bring the corruption to light.
DeletePure Corruption is based on trying to hide corruption in such a pure institution. It is about sumo wrestling and their religion that they live. It is about society trying to prove by statistics that sumo is somehow cheating if “someone” loses a match. These are the ways that society bases their evidence and statistics on how in sumo wrestling you can cheat. Sumo wrestling is a religious ritual so you are to become part of the sumo community. If you chose not to then you can become shunned or if you become part of the community then you can become a sekitori (top ranked wrestler). This small clip provides statistics and shows that money is involved for gambling or financial wealth. It shows the proof of the corruption in the numbers presented.
ReplyDeleteI believe you covered all the main and minor points enough to get an understanding about the chapter. I didn't like the possible overuse of "it is about". It makes seem less academic. Also, there were some grammatical issues but not many.
DeleteThe Video clip “Pure Corruption” part of “Freakonomics” is a look into the corruption of things in this world that we find to be the most pure. This including anything beyond approach, sports that have been around since the start of time, men who have lead our major corporations. Basically things that people wouldn’t normally question. There are CEO’s listed and main stream American leaders who have committed corruption. The example used was the ancient sport of sumo wrestling. In Japan the word used for cheating is “Yaocho,” and though it is recognized in the society, it is not approached. There is a pyramid that you have to make it up. The wrestlers must win at least eight out of the fifteen fights in order to pass on to the next round. Let’s say a wrestler is at 8-6, and the other is at 7-7, the one who already one their eight will throw the match to keep the other in. This way, the opponent who hasn’t made the ranks gets to continue on. It is important to stay in because in a society like this, being even in the lowest rank is better than being exiled from the community. But, there is always a catch, whether it is paid in money, or cartons of cigarettes. Sumo wrestling is seen as a religious ritual. The steps, including the showing of the hands to prove a clean fight, the salt thrown, it is all done in sacrifice to the gods. So then you can see why the people would be angry if something so sacred to them was accused of being corrupt. They get so angry in fact, that the two men who did call out the sumo society, claiming that the statistics proved cheating, were found suddenly dead on the same day, by same natural cause. Nothing was questioned.
ReplyDeleteI like how you explained the match ratio, it made it clear how simple it is to see the cheating occurring. However, The last two sentences didn't fit quite right into the paragraph, though they did show how important Sumo is to their culture. Nicely done
DeleteThe title of the clip “Pure Corruption” implies that the sumo wrestling is supposed to be known as a pure sport. Behind this sport are secrets however that some do not know about. The clip goes on and talks about the corruption in pure sports, highlighting sumo wrestling. There is money involved come to find out in sumo wrestling. Before the match the two wrestlers meet and decide who will win and who will lose. This is called, “Yaocho,” which means-rigged match. In the clip it is mentioned about “Honne,”-the real truth and “Tatame”- which is the illusion of truth. With the sport they say that Yaocho is just an illusion, it is not true. When the whistle blowers would call on the corruption of the match, they did not get treated with much respect and the spectators would get upset on the calls. Before the match the wrestlers do a religious ritual with their hands. Part of it is opening their hands up at the end so everyone can see they do not have any weapons. In the film there are a couple repeated ideas such as; finding proof of corruption in the numbers and being part of the community. It is said in the clip that some might chose to rig the fight because they can’t be put out of the community. There are many who believe that the matches are rigged, but has not been officially proven.
ReplyDeleteThe major point of “Pure Corruption” is how easy it is to hide corruption in a pure environment or space. When money exchanges hands, the purest of things have the potential of becoming corrupt. In sumo, it is a very subtle cheat. You would not even notice the subtle cheating, also known as Yacho unless you were to look closely at the numbers. In the past, there were a few former sumo wrestlers, who published the dark wrongs in the sumo community. The Sumo community denied all of the allegations against the veterans and shortly thereafter, they were dead. Amazingly, the sumo community never got in trouble for murdering these two people, and the public did not care because sumo is more important. In reality, sumo is similar to the WWE in America; the majority of it is all a façade, also known as Tatemai. In addition, sumo wrestlers are ok with rigging the events so that their friends continue to have a place in the sumo society.
ReplyDeleteJaque,
DeleteIt's so funny you mentioned the WWE. I watched the wrestlers in the WWF of the 70's and 80's while growing up, and as soon as I saw the first Sumo, I immediately thought of Andre "The Giant". The Japanese government is under a constitutional monarchy where the Emperor is limited in power except for ceremonial duties. Sumo could fall under that category. So that means that he can give the power to anyone he wants to do what they will to anyone they want (even kill) to hide facts from the citizens. I believe they have had this form of government since 1946 or 1947. Many of the beliefs of the era before change in government may still be floating around in many houses. Many might still believe that politicians are always truthful and not corrupt. That is where the Tatemae might come in and the Honne goes out.
Alan
The title of the clip watched in class "Pure Corruption" is itself, an oxy moron. When something is pure, it is devoid of corruption. In sports, business, or virtually any institution where there is a dollar to be made there are opportunities for dishonesty. There have been allegations that "yaocho" meaning rigged matches, take place in the sport of sumo wrestling which the statistics would imply to be true; however, these speculations have not been proven. Whistle blowers that have come forward attempting to uncover the "tatemae" which means illusion of truth, surrounding the accusations of dishonesty in the sport have not only been met with the disapproval of their community, they have also met with unfortunate circumstances resulting in death.
ReplyDeleteThe main point of the clip Pure Corruption is the highlight of finding corruption and evil in a pure environment such as SUMO wrestling. Evidence that supports this evidence includes first the recognition of purity in the SUMO: the clapping of hands to call the gods, stomping the feet to pound away evil, lifting the hands to reveal no weapons, and spraying of salt to purify the ring where the “rikishi” wrestle. In the grand scheme of things the topic of cheating, or “yaocho” is mentioned in this clip. Through statistics, gambling, and the hiding of the corruption, the sport of SUMO doesn’t prove to be as pure as thought to be. “Homme” or real truth is covered up and in the movie clip a story about the murder of two men that was covered up because no one wanting to reveal the cheating going on in SUMO. Though the wrestlers show the ceremonies and rituals towards the gods, they hide the corruption of cheating the system to get to the highest Sekitori or top rank. Pure Corruption reveals the homme about SUMO and how devious such a pure and religious sport can be.
ReplyDeleteWhile watching a segment in the movie Freakonomics over cheating or "corruption" that seemed to have been found in sumo wrestling, it was controversial to question why some sumo matches were thought to have been rigged. “Yaocho”, as it’s called, is used to describe when a match is seemingly tipped in favor of certain sumos so that the “Sekitori”, or top ranked wrestlers, can remain at the top of the pyramid to maintain respect and high honor. While sumo wrestling is a cultural event within their religion, it is possible that money and respect can still add favor in who's victorious in certain instances. The point they infer here is that even something sacred or "pure", can be "corrupted" for the sake of others well-being, especially in the "village-like society" of Sumo.
ReplyDeleteNice summary, probably could've added in a bit more of the examples of corruption within the sumo wrestling community but over a nice short and sweet summary. I completely understood the point and main idea.
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ReplyDeleteIn the video clip “Pure Corruption”, the possibility of cheating in the world of Sumo by a “Yacho”, or a “rigged match” is focused on. Sumo is over 2000 years old and is held dear in the Japanese culture, not only monetarily through gambling and other revenue, but spiritually more so. The thought of corruption in such a respected and “pure” sport, where the referee dresses as a high priest and the athletes go through an extensive religious ritual before each match, could be considered outrageous. But here in America we found through numerous, highly publicized scandals, that nothing and nobody is immune. Sumo wrestlers live in “villages” with one another and very close bonds are formed. In order to help a friend move up in ranks with a much needed 8th win, or to keep in good standing with the rest of the “village”, you occasionally need to take some not so honest approaches. But to prove that cheating exists in Sumo is considered impossible and is even strongly denied by the Sumo Association. In order to do so, you might look at the statistics. A wrestler with his eight wins loses his next matches 75% of the times compared to 50% even though he is the superior combatant. The need to protect the reputation of the sport from people willing to testify against it has cost some their lives. So in a world where one win can be the difference of $5000.00 a week, and not to mention thousands of years of cultural beliefs that rely heavely on its “spiritual” background, you might think that it is in the best interest to keep the truth hidden and no better way than to hide or mask it with “purity”.
ReplyDeletePure Corruption let alone is a play on words, a direct contrast; an oxymoron, if you will. This short film takes you to that line between the two. In “Pure Corruption” the art of Sumo wrestling is analyzed. Sumo wrestling is viewed as one of the most pure sports that exist. In parallel the short film brings in corruption, or “cheating” to make you see no matter how pure something may seem to be, if you take a closer look you can usually find some sort of flaw. Cheaters are always actively covering their trail making it nearly impossible to detect, especially when there is no reason for suspicion. With a sport that starts out with religious rituals like the clapping of hands to call on gods, or lifting the hands before the match to reveal no weapons, or sprinkling of salt to purify the ring that match is held in who would dare accuse them of cheating? But, taking a further look several signs point to blood in the water. Statistics show that most sumo wrestling matches all boil down to where the most money can be found. The theory analyzed in this short film is that money is exchanging hands based on who is winning, and that the entire sport is rigged to make sure that that happens. A strange fact supporting this theory is that two of the Expose’ members or “whistle blowers” that got in the way of a match going one way or the other were both found hospitalized and pronounced dead the same night, with the same symptoms, and strange disease found. Pure Corruption takes a look at these “coincidences” shown in the numbers and events and leads you to believe that this is all just too "good" to be true.
ReplyDeleteChelsea,
DeleteWell written. If I hadn't seen this video clip in class already, how you described it would have caught my attention. If you would have added a link to this Blog, I would have definitely clicked on it to see more of what you were writing about. Good job.
Alan
Sumo wrestling in Japan is noted as being corrupted. The numbers and statistics of the matches can show which are taking a dive or just plain cheating as said in “Pure Corruption”. Sumos are paid on their record and can easily make $5,000 in a match if they win consecutively. Money becomes a huge issue for most sumo wrestlers. The video stated that even if a sumo did a 15 match tournament and one was 7-7 and the other was 8-6, then the 8-6 sumo would most times win. The video also stated that if the two opponents were to meet again that the sumo who lost the first time would most certainly win. To sumos the sport is very spiritual and religious and is the purest of form for the Japanese people. Two that have exposed this world were mysteriously killed and their deaths never investigated. Sumo is the epitome of the American financial crisis of corruption in Japan. To be able to expose it though can very dangerous. The rikishi are the sumos, the sekitori are the top ranked sumos, and the yaocho are the rigged matches in the world of sumo. Cheating is a part of corruption and to the video it is affecting the sumo world.
ReplyDelete