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[pgil]

There are also better ways to attract attention to the plight of starving children than to take pictures of them in situations like this.

Like what? I can't think of a better way for a journalist to help countless children than by taking a picture of this one and showing the world.

the problem with a picture like this is that it is going to create a visceral reaction in a lot of people that is going to cause them to turn away and avoid it. not only will they avoid looking at the photo, they will also avoid thinking about what the photo is showing them. Those who do look will most likely talk about whether the picture is appropriate, and not about what can be done. The picture is too disturbing to serve as an effective tool to raise public awareness.

also, I find it unlikely that the vulture just happened to be there just as he wandered past, which makes the photo either a complete stage, or means that the guy waited around by this child for the vulture to get into the right spot, both of which are horrific to think about.