Posted: May 14th, 2023

Journal entry questions based on the movie

Journal entry questions based on the movie

Write a reflection on the Betting on Zero documentary. Use your own thoughts. Do not just summarize the film. If you don’t know where to start, below are some possible things you could comment on. Something that surprised you A person or organization that you feel acted ethically A person or organization you feel acted unethically Behavior you recognized from the concepts we have learned in class (conflict of interest, discrimination, etc.) The part of the documentary you found most interesting Any journal not properly labeled will receive a deduction of 2 points! Video

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Today, I watched the Betting on Zero documentary, and I was surprised by the unethical practices of the multi-level marketing company Herbalife. It was shocking to see how Herbalife targets vulnerable populations, particularly immigrants, and uses deceptive marketing techniques to lure them into its business model, which ultimately results in many of them losing money.

One person who acted ethically in the documentary was Bill Ackman, the hedge fund manager who took a short position on Herbalife. Despite facing intense backlash and scrutiny from Herbalife supporters, Ackman stood by his position and continued to expose the company’s fraudulent practices.

On the other hand, the documentary highlighted several individuals and organizations that acted unethically. This includes Herbalife’s top executives, who knowingly exploit vulnerable populations for profit, as well as the politicians and organizations that accept donations from Herbalife and turn a blind eye to the company’s wrongdoing.

Throughout the documentary, I recognized several behaviors from the concepts we have learned in class. For example, Herbalife’s business model is based on a conflict of interest, as its distributors are incentivized to recruit others rather than sell products. Additionally, the company’s practices of targeting vulnerable populations and using deceptive marketing tactics can be seen as a form of discrimination.

The part of the documentary that I found most interesting was the way Herbalife’s top executives and supporters use language to manipulate their audiences. For example, they frequently use terms like “entrepreneurship” and “opportunity” to make their business model seem legitimate, even though it is ultimately harmful to those who participate in it.

Watching Betting on Zero was an eye-opening experience, and it made me more aware of the importance of holding companies accountable for their actions.