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Coming up on my 19th year since diagnosis, I have to say this PSA takes the wrong approach — way wrong — and only further stigmatizes and marginalizes people living with HIV.It does not address the problems associated with HIV/AIDS.
After reading all comments and went back to watch the PSA campaign, I like the message. It's designed to reaching out to non-postives to be protected. What's wrong with it? I don't get it? I am living with HIV for over 20 years and what the PSA campaign shows I have all, dementia, brittle of my bones, anal cancer that I had surgery and on top of all that I am dealing with rapid aging with lipodystrophy/lipoatrophy. Showing truth and using "fear" as a tactic for prevention champagne, I am good with that. I was a HIV testing counselor for over 10 years and saw very young people tested negative but later tested positive. All the information to protect are there but infected unfortunately. It's very sad. The number of HIV infections is raising. All the attempts to spread the virus are not working so far. Using "fear" to reach out mostly work as we saw how president Bush used fear to start this war. I am good with any way to stop spreading this virus. I have seen enough unfortunate young ones.
this psa campaign is just all out silly and doesnt really hit any point. As a nurse and a marketing major i would say "who is you audience" you are trying to target? It seems only young gay people. And as for stating dozens of causes of death.....three is not a good representation. osteoporosis...lol...take a Boniva? the fact stands clear that people do not die of hiv and aids. the news and statistics are skewed as they now die of other causes related to their original diagnosis.
Jay...yours and Tim's comments are extactly the major issue that is the subtext of my position. What makes YOU (All mightly and holy yourself) think I have NOT considered other view points. I offered mine and it differs from the "polictically correct" old guard. When someone disagrees with the "etablishiment" the best offense is a good defense. So kick away buddy, I can take it.
To Richard Ferri: I'm glad you apologized to Tim Horn. You do say however that you "stand behind your position." What you do not do, in the rant, is *argue why* that's your position. Rant away by all means; but do not pretend then that that is an honest engagement with the reasoned points made in Tim's post or in Oriol's either. A gruesome list of suffering that you've witnessed, and continue to witness daily, does not entitle you to claim an unimpeachable moral ground from which you can denounce -- without, as I said earlier, of even taking a second to contend with arguments made against the PSA -- those who disagree with you. That's the "I've suffered more, therefore I'm better than you, therefore you don't know crap, and I win no contest" sort of position. How about an explanation of why this is an *effective* PSA -- telling us why it is you disagree with Tim and Oriol, point by point? And, since you claim the rhetorical privilege of never being PC, I'll suggest, in a non-PC way perhaps, something: that, in order to better serve yourself, your patients, and your readers, you do *something* to defuse, confront, or somehow channel the boiling-over anger I've seen in your writing, and which mars (indeed scars) that writing -- sometimes to the point of incoherence. JV
Let me say I still believe the PSA is very valid and stand behind my position. What I will also say is that my "fuck off" was inappropriate and uncalled for. I just am getting tired of how so many people can die of AIDS related complications (anal cancer, brittle bones, dementia, and on and on and on...) in the age of advanced therapies. I have never been PC and often times rude so I owe you, the readers and even myself an apology.This "viral warrior" is just getting too tired and old. Simple as that. Not an excuse for my response but an explanation.
Sorry, Ric... but your HIV doesn't stink any more than anyone else's, particularly other long-timers who were infected at a time when all we had were truly gruesome (read: real-world) images of HIV/AIDS. And if you honestly believe that only those who work as clinicians in urban clinics are in a position to critique public health campaigns, I hope you'll rethink this -- some of the most important contributions to the preventive and therapeutic response to HIV/AIDS in this country (and elsewhere) has been from people with HIV who live and breath the very stuff you're talking about here... many of whom, might I add, have done shifts in clinics next to health care providers such as yourself. And if your idea of rocking the boat is telling those who may disagree with you to 'fuck off,' then I suggest you rethink how 'well respected' you truly are.
Paul
I just read this blog, watched the ad, and then read the truly mean spirited attacks from several people here--that means you Tim, Richard, Jay, et al. The interesting point is that you argue that the ad promotes fear, then you attack (all of you) to make your point. Doesn't that also promote fear, just in a different way? You all make this pretty personal, and disappointing for a reader who is trying to look at this impartially. Why don't we all grow up and have a discussion rather than an attack?
January 8, 2011