‘The Shadow Scholars’ Review: A Thought-Provoking Probe Into the Contract Cheating Industry

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As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over documentaries that delve into the intricacies of global socio-economic issues, “The Shadow Scholars” resonated deeply with my experiences and perspectives. The film’s exploration of the contract cheating industry is not only timely but also thoughtfully nuanced in its examination of the complex political and psychological implications for all parties involved.

Night after night, I, a diligent scholar from Kenya, pour my heart and sweat into crafting academic essays – on an array of topics, frequently under stringent deadlines – for students in distant lands, allowing them to claim these works as their own. The recognition seldom comes, the compensation is meager considering the knowledge and skill involved. Yet, I, along with many others in this profession, don’t view ourselves as exploited or deceitful. Instead, we see ourselves as finding innovative African solutions to the challenges posed by Western education systems, a perspective that brings a chuckle in Eloïse King’s documentary “The Shadow Scholars.” However, this compelling and thought-provoking film does not trivialise or sensationalize the multibillion-dollar “contract cheating” industry. Instead, it sheds light on how this industry provides a meager yet crucial livelihood for many educated and ambitious Kenyans who yearn to fulfill their academic aspirations but lack the means to do so themselves.

Using the research of Patricia Kingori, a Kenyan-born sociologist who at the age of 36 became the youngest Black person ever to be awarded a full professorship at Oxford in the UK, her film delves deeply into an encompassing and thoughtful exploration of its subject matter. By considering various social, economic, and racial disparities, the film steers away from moral absolutes and instead focuses on the intricate political and psychological effects of selling knowledge without acknowledgment of authorship.

The title of the document might suggest it’s about the hardworking, underappreciated intellectuals working tirelessly – often juggling day jobs and parenting duties – but ironically, it’s the more affluent clients in the Northern Hemisphere who are unseen. The only individual given a brief interview is Kat, a young U.S. student, who admits to outsourcing her assignments due to failing all her classes. She managed to gather the money needed for an essential essay by selling explicit content online. Her fear of losing her college education is evident, although she doesn’t question whether she truly deserves it; the high cost of tuition fees serves as a silent adversary on both sides.

The primary sentiments of King and Kingori lean towards other directions, yet the film provides identities (though under pseudonyms), visages (hidden behind AI-created “digital masks”), and narratives to the brilliant minds – who are typically unnamed on essay-agency platforms that link them with students, and often pocket most of the payment – who help Kat attain her degree in time. Among these writers, Mercy toils by night to financially sustain her kindergarten child, dreaming that her daughter will one day excel academically independently; for Chege and Faith, essay writing serves as a creative outlet amidst their frustration over Masters’ programs they were admitted but cannot afford.

If some of these authors appear optimistic about their circumstances, Kingori expresses deep concern for them – connecting the industry to a prolonged pattern where developed nations have exploited Africa for its workforce and riches, often without recognition or fair compensation. (In an interview, renowned Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o expands on this, comparing contract cheating to the appropriation of African innovations by white men during the slave era.) “They desire our concepts,” Kingori asserts, highlighting the dearth of African students at universities where these essays are frequently submitted. “Consider Kenya’s potential if all that writing bore Kenyan names instead of someone else’s.

Regarding the issue of students obtaining qualifications they don’t truly deserve for professions they might not be fully capable of handling, Kingori primarily places the responsibility on the students themselves. However, the situation could grow increasingly complex and intangible as AI progresses and potentially eliminates human-driven essay writing. The documentary “The Shadow Scholars” showcases this concern effectively with fast-paced production, humorous visual elements like academic citations, and a clear demonstration of the filmmakers’ work. However, it does not provide straightforward answers or solutions to an intellectual predicament in an era that might be moving beyond intellect. Instead, it encourages viewers to pause and engage in self-reflection.

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2024-11-19 19:18