Read Jimenez, Why Celebrity Activism Does More Harm Than Good and Kluger, Jim Carrey, Please Shut Up about Vaccines . 1. According to Andres Jimenez, what fuels “celebrity-fueled, do-good awareness campaigns” (para. 3)?

2. What is Jimenez’s view of celebrities like Bono, George Clooney, Madonna, and Oprah Winfrey taking up causes such as debt cancelation, the increase in foreign aid, and others? What do people generally criticize about these efforts?

3. How, according to Jimenez, do celebrity activists generate broad support for their efforts? Why does Jimenez think the effects of those efforts are “disastrous . . . on the ground” (para. 8)? Does he see any upside? Explain your answer.

4. What does Jimenez consider to be the basic requirements for working with humanitarian or conflict crises? To what extent do you agree?



1. Jeffrey Kluger’s views on vaccines are clear from the very first sentence of this piece. How does he establish credibility despite the strident tone and one-sided nature of the views he presents?

2. How does Kluger characterize the “anti-vax” crowd? What does he consider the “tragicomedy” (para. 9) of the anti-vaccine movement?

3. Why is Kluger optimistic that the “anti-vax act has at last gotten old” (para. 11)? Do you agree? Explain your answer.