Practice paraphrasing: (post by Monday, September 9th)
Please answer the
following questions/prompts about the video clip, "Pure Corruption," and
incorporate your answers into a 200-word paragraph.
What is the main
point of the portion of the video that discusses "the numbers"and
cheating?
(Keep your writing to just this part of the video, and expand on
the ideas without reaching into opinion or outside the context of the
video)?
How does the information on the numbers relate to the video as a
whole?
Include any unknown words from this portion of the video (even English
ones that you might have to look up).
Stick to information that was only
in the video and nothing more. Please keep your post free of opinion, as this is
meant to only be a paraphrase.
By Wednesday, midnight, reply to a
classmate. Point out one aspect of your classmate's paraphrase that made sense
to you, and mention one aspect of your classmate's summary that you feel s/he
could improve on and 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.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFreakonomics writers Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner ask how can you tell that there is cheating? Looking at "patterns over time" in the numbers, as is stated in the video, will allow you to see evidence of cheating, like yaocho in Sumo wrestling, that would have otherwise been unsubstantiated speculation.
ReplyDeleteThe video of pure corruption discusses the cheating and corruptions within sumo wrestling. Sumo is a competitive sport that consists of wrestling with religious practices and structures. Sumo wrestlers are placed within a social status based on how many matches they have won or lost. The more matches a Sumo wins the better treated, paid, and respected. Within Sumo wrestling there has been suspicion of yaocho meaning cheating or match rigging. During the video of pure corruption Dubner explains that the cheating shows inside the numbers and what matches are won and by whom. For example: Two sumo’s that are going into a match. One of the sumo wrestlers are in danger of being knocked down in rank if they lose another match. The sumo with a higher rank can lose a match and still be in a higher rank. They both agree that if the sumo with the lower rank wins, keeping him from lowering his status, he will then later return the favor when the higher sumo is in danger of dropping in rank. Of course this is cheating but there is no actual evidence this is going on aside from the few whistle blowers or people who speak the truth. Even when the truth is exposed it is covered up just as quickly as the cheating going on.
ReplyDeleteNice excerpt. A nice touch on why a Sumo wrestler would cheat based on his social and financial status as well as the respect he would earn or lose based off of the results of his tournaments. The only thing I could say would need to be changed is the amount of periods you use as this causes a lot of what I believe are unnecessary pauses to the reader. Good summary though.
DeleteThe video Pure Corruption discusses how the Sumo wrestling scene unexpectedly contains cheating. In Japan this corruption is known as Yaocho, match rigging. In tournaments, wrestler needs to achieve eight wins to move up in rank, which entails more monetary gain and status. The video describes how it has become suspected that many wrestlers who have already achieved their eight wins may in turn throw a match to another wrestler if it would be a deciding point. For example, a wrestler who is 8:6 in tournaments may intentionally lose a match to a 7:7 wrestler so that he may move up in rank. This is how the video describes the wrestler's motivations for cheating.
ReplyDeleteI thought your examples and the way you organized your paragraph was great. The details within it made be want to watch the clip if I had never seen it.
DeleteThe video “Pure Corruption,” brings to light a gut wrenching accusation of cheating in what may be considered by many as the most pure of all sports. The sport of Sumo wrestling is not just a sport, but a religion as it has a history dating back over 2,000 years. Just the thought that such a pure sport, rich with tradition, is partaking in matching-rigging (or “yaocho” as the Japanese call it) is an insult to the Japanese culture. But as said in the video, numbers do not lie. And with the stakes at hand within the ranks of the rikishi (strong men) of Japan, the result of a match can have a drastic effect on the life of the individual wrestler. Sumo wrestlers compete in 6 major tournaments per year, which consist of 15 matches over a span of 15 days (1 match per day) and in order to move up in rank they are required to win 8 of the 15 matches. Now take into effect that many of these men live together, laugh together, train together, and suffer together so when a match comes down to a rikishi with a record of 7-7 against an opponent with a record of 9-5 or 8-6, then he has so much more to lose if he cannot attain that eighth victory as to where the 9-5 or 8-6 will rank up regardless of victory or not. The 7-7 wrestler wins that eighth victory against an opponent with nothing to lose a staggering 75% of the time. Thus allowing the illusion of yaocho to overshadow a sport pure of corruption, or so we would think. As the saying goes, “the numbers never lie.”
ReplyDeleteI agree that while a person or a group study the statistics or the numbers of one's record, it is still very difficult to prove the fact that they were cheating. like the way that you broke down the way the tournament is played. I think you covered it all, good job.
DeleteThis main point of “pure corruption” video is that cheating and corruption in the world of sumo wrestlers is something very hard to proof. Sumo is a form of wrestling based on Shinto religion. This religion refers to ancestral worship of gods that sumo’s believes it will make them successful. In Japanese cheating means Yacho; Yacho can only be determined by patterns and numbers based on the number of wins of the sumo wrestlers. These sumo wrestlers are paid based on how high they are in rank and all this Risiski “ referring to strong man are treated like kings. This video also provides the example of how financial people like investors, gamblers increase the potential of cheating. This film also talks about the reputation, the social standing a suma has when he is ranked high, however if that is lost they also can suffer consequences like death and being stunned. Yacho is something many people over look for the reason that this sport has been around for over 2000 years.
ReplyDeleteI like how you actually explain the Shinto religion in your summary. It helps explain why cheating is so surprising and why it is so hard to actually prove it's happening. Good Job!
DeleteThis is great. I really like the fact that you implemented the total wins, in other words the way the pattern and the numbers show in Yacho. Very good paraphase. I don't think you left anything out.
ReplyDeleteIn the video Pure corruption they try to compare numbers and cheating. When watchingb the video i did not see any evidence to support that cheating and numbers have anything in common. Peter Bill and Alex Gibey talk about the rikishi-meaning strong man or wrestler and the cheating that goes on in suma wrestling. It's hard to prove the cheating that goes on in the sport because it takes place way before the event takes place. Thus making it very dificult to prove. the video also mentioned that high financed individuals tends to lean towards cheating. Corruption is hard to prove.
ReplyDeleteI like your post because you pointed out that corruption is hard to prove. The numbers could possibly be a coincidence and that's something to take in to consideration.
DeleteI agree, this is very specific.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact you included a lot of unfamiliar words and gave the definition.
Excellent paraphrase!
The documentary “Pure Corruption” directed by Alex Gibey insinuates that corruption has been leaking into the world of Sumo wrestling. Sumo wrestling has over two thousand years of history and purity that no one would ever suspect of cheating. Yaocho, meaning cheating by numbers, can be seen when examining the Sumo wrestlers winning records. A stable master and a retired sumo wrestler confessed that Yaocho goes on behind closed doors. Wrestlers are often introduced to yaocho in the beginning of their careers. There are benefits to winning such as an increase in pay and rising through the world of professional wrestling. This is what the dark world of Yaocho sumo wrestling is coming too.
ReplyDeleteSumo is a 2000 year old sport that presents itself as being pure. The short film “Pure Corruption”, is about how purity disguise cheating.
ReplyDeleteGambling took over sumo wrestling as well as cheating or Yaocho, rigging the matches. Before the wrestlers start, they perform their rituals such as stomping feet, which means stomping evil spirits away. This fools the audience to believe that there can’t possibly be any cheating due to the religious aspect of it.
People that’s involved with the corruption of the sport benefit from it somehow. However, the lower rank sumo wrestlers suffers because the lower you are the more your struggle of living becomes.
In reality, everyone cheats especially if the opportunity presents itself. Purity mask a lot of things and not only within this sport.
Freakonomics ‘Pure Corruption’ Chapter
ReplyDeleteBy: Alex Gibney
The video “Pure Corruption” puts forth a concept in which “purity can not only hide corruption but also make it more possible.” Seen as a sport that prides itself of a vast history, honor and purification rituals, Sumo wrestling hides its corruption in its perceived purity. The speakers in the video say that they can predict when Yaocho will happen in the latter part of the event and that the percentages are significantly biased to the fact. The data shows distinct patterns. For instance; if a wrestler on the bubble of either gaining or losing a ranking comes up against a wrestler who has already gained a ranking, and has nothing to lose, he is more likely to win the match. The reasons vary from wrestler to wrestler as to why they would commit Yaocho. Helping another wrestler achieve a higher ranking, social status, honor and respect are but a few of those reasons.
This is a good summary of what the numbers portion of the video was talking about. I liked your use of examples which better explained the main point "The speakers in the video say that they can predict when Yaocho will happen in the latter part of the event and that the percentages are significantly biased to the fact." Good show of the patterns explaining how the cheating happens.
DeleteIn the video 'Pure Corruption' two writers explain their theory on cheating with the ancient sport; Sumo wrestling. It is called Yaocho, meaning "matched rigging." Even though Sumo wresting may be covered by what one may call purity, with religious practices and strict rules that are applied in Sumo training and matches, adding up the numbers there seems to be a line of predictable wins. If one Sumo wrestler lets another sumo wrestler win a match then they may be paid back in another round meaning that Sumo wrestler will then let his opponent win. With steaks so high such as popularity in the Sumo world and the money involved it, therefore, gives Sumo wrestlers a reason to cheat. No ones ever really has been able to accurately prove that cheating is occurring especially since its so highly guarded in their society. However data does show that numbers don't quite match up right. Percentages prove that it cannot be pure coincidence and cheating may be taking place behind one of history's longest and most sacred sport.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how clear you state the main idea and explain the numbers process. Great job!
DeleteSumo wrestling is a two thousand year old sport that is synonymous with ritual, religion, honor and purity. The video Pure Corruption, outlines cheating and corruption that is masked by the purity of the Sumo culture. Yaocho, or match rigging, takes place for many reasons. The Sumo wrestlers (Rikishi) themselves, throw matches to improve social standing and reputation. Financial stakes for spectators, investors and gamblers also play a huge role. The Rikishi compete in Sumo tournements and move up in rank only by winning at least eight out of fifteen matches. The way to identify and expose yaocho is to look closely at these numbers and study patterns over time.
ReplyDeleteThe 2,000 year old sport of Sumo wrestling is centered around the religious practices of Shinto, a religion based on honor and purification. The word Shinto means "way of the Gods". Many of the rituals common to Sumo wrestling are in place to please the Japanese Gods; clapping of the hands to awaken the Gods, stamping out evil spirits with the feet, and throwing salt to purify the ring. Two bare skinned men battle it out hand to hand in a sand ring until a victor is declared. The Rakishi (wrestler/strongman) attempts to force his opponent out of the ring or to touch the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet. Rakishi spend years living together in apprenticeship. In order to attain a high rank, thousands of hours of pain staking sparing and work are necessary. While training life's focus is discipline, both morally and physically. Is this historically rich, spiritually based sport immune to corruption due to it's nature? Recently, yaocho (match rigging) scandals have been exposed in the Sumo world. Several instances have been divulged by so called whistle blowers. Investors and gamblers dish out a lot of money on these bouts and encourage these unethical practices to continue, from wrestler to spectator. The stakes are so high that certain whistle blowers have been killed for their openness. The increasing instances of cheating are infuriating to some, and ignored, even hidden by many. Sumo wrestling has an untouchable air about it in Japan, but some have altered their view based on personal morals and beliefs. Does corruption exist within the enlightened society of Sumo? The debate rages on.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you give detailed information on regards of what a sumo dose and how shinto plays a major part in the sport because if I had not known about what a sum wrestler was I would by reading this. I also like the part that you mention about the whistle blowers and how there have been instances where they may speak the truth then get killed because of it. Which also helps support the main idea that there is cheating going on in sumo.
Deletewell said, good job
DeleteThe video begins by stating the immense webbing of the competitive sport Sumo wrestling and the Shinto religion. Many ritualistic gestures made towards the gods from Shinto religion exist within Sumo; For instance, the clapping of the hands is to awaken the gods, the turning of the hands is to demonstrate both fighters are cleansed and fighting without weapons, and the stomping of the feet rids of evil spirits. It further explains that the art of Sumo is in and of itself only done to entertain the gods from the Shinto religion. However, despite its sacred backgrounds, many have come to suspect the Rikishi fighters to be cheating. The Japanese have a word for this act, it is called yaocho and in something as intricate as Sumo wrestling it is nearly impossible to determine if a fighter fell intentionally, or otherwise threw a fight, unless you look at the numbers. Every Sumo wrestler requires 8 fights to progress in his own rankings, with this being said, experts have come to believe that yaocho most often takes place when a fighter with a standing 8-6 ratio comes upon a fighter with 7-7, the 8-6 wrestler will likely throw the fight in exchange for money. When reviewed, these experts have also discovered that when the 8-6 fighter comes upon the 7-7 fighter again, the 8-6 fighter almost always wins that fight. As the Rikishi fighters are a very close-knit community, none of them will openly come forward and admit this. As the Japanese community functions greatly on the beliefs of the Honne, the hidden truth, and the Tatamae, the façade of propriety, the Sumo community’s corruptions have been widely covered up by the community, the Rikishi community, and even Japanese law enforcement. There have been several cases of retired sumo wrestlers speaking about this and then mysteriously dying afterwards, in one case a young Rikishi fighter was found beaten to death with beer bottles and baseball bats as punishment for trying to leave the Sumo world. It then goes on to say that these things exist all over the world, even in our own economy, and it is desire for that illusion that allows the hidden truth.
ReplyDeleteAgain, you had a very nice summary of the video. The depth and detail within the numbers that you provide are very intriguing leaving me wanting more. But, I do feel that you did seem to get off the main point towards the end. Not saying at all that this lost my interest, but the numbers were the main point and I feel you got away from that near the end. I really look forward to reading your blogs this semester as you have a very interesting style of writing. Thank you and good job.
DeleteYou brought some interesting and important facts I had over looked to the surface. The direct quotations were a nice touch and the conclusion was great!
ReplyDelete