TOW #20 Visual Text "One dies, million cry. Million die, no one cries"

    Six years ago, humanity lost one of its most brilliant innovators.  Steve Jobs, the renown entrepreneur and Co-CEO of Apple, had changed the face of technology with the creations of the iPod, Mac, iPad, and most notably the iPhone. In merely a decade, Jobs rapidly advanced the "Information/Computer Age",  revolutionizing the modes of communication and lifestyles of millions of people. Despite Jobs' magnificent creations, the crucial humanitarian issues have yet to be solved. While the creation of new technological devices have impacted many lives, none of the devices saved any more lives than the pre-computer age. Through the use of juxtaposition and irony, the artist effectively opens the eyes of people to the vital problems that have yet to be solved in the world.
      Africa, the home to millions of impoverished people, is directly positioned next to the iconic logo of Apple, a multi-billion dollar company.  While Steve Jobs' Apple and his products changed the lives of many people, when looking from a broader scope, he was just a single man. Everyday, thousands of Africans die of malnutrition, infection, and many other medical deficiency. However, on the day that Jobs died, millions of people mourned his death, despite the fact that there are hundreds of deaths by the hour across the globe. By juxtaposing Apple and Africa, the author clearly wants to make a stark contrast between the two very different situations.
      The intended arrangement of Africa and Apple logo vividly reveals the irony behind the death of Steve Jobs. Although the death of such a notable man is heartbreaking, from a humanitarian standpoint, the idea of millions of deaths being forgotten is unacceptable. The play on words with the idea of a "million" people shows two completely opposite messages, all while tying the two ideas together at the same time. Perhaps the ironic Americans need to begin thinking outside of their bubble and step out into a larger perspective of the world, being aware of the countless death of their African brothers and sisters.
     In a simple, yet very powerful visual, the artist makes an effective and direct statement to Americans in hopes of changing their closed minded thoughts into a more humanitarian mindset.