I have wrestled with the thought of whether or not I should post my thoughts about Steve Irwin's tragic death for several hours today (I have no idea why for so long). I know what my initial reaction was, and it was not one of disbelief or of sorrow, but one of indifference.
Never having been an avid viewer of his television show (I can't even tell you what network it was on) I am not speaking from fan-based appreciation. The guy was a wildlife expert and highly succesful and influential conservationist --- two traits for which he has my respect. But let's be honest people, he was no Fred Rogers.
Do not get me wrong, Irwin's death was a tragedy, and I feel terrible for his wife and two young children. But let's get one thing straight people, whether the stringray is a "docile, harmless creature" or not, it is a wild animal.
After reading some of my blogger buddies' rather (almost overly) sympathetic and gushing reactions, I felt it was time for me to throw my hat in the ring.
"Survival expert" (whatever the heck that is) Ray Mears summed it up for me, more or less:
Mears said the Australian's death was a tragedy and his heart went out to his family.And not to further (unintentionally) convey the idea that I'm some insensitive Alpha-Hotel prick, but the comedian Carlos Mencia really summed it up in his skit about Siegfred & Roy.But he added that it proved "some things in nature should be left alone".
He said: "He clearly took a lot of risks and television encouraged him to do that.
"It's a shame that television audiences need that to be attracted to wildlife.
"Dangerous animals, you leave them alone because they will defend themselves. Nature defends itself, it isn't all about hugging animals and going 'ahh'.
"It's wonderful to observe but you have to be sensible and maintain a safe distance."
Mears warned of the "gladiatorial" television of today and labelled some wildlife shows "voyeuristic".
He continued: "Television has become very gladiatorial and it's not healthy.
"The voyeurism we are seeing on television has a cost and it's that cost Steve Irwin's family are paying today."
We all know Siegfred & Roy for their flamboyant wild "magic shows" with "tamed" tigers and the like.
Mencia's response to Roy's "incident"?
"They're F@#$%^&* tigers!" (paraphrase?)
Same thing with the manta ray. "Docile" creature or not, it's still a wild animal.
Again, my heart goes out to his family and friends, but no matter what the animal or the environment, everyone has to remember/realize --- Steve Irwin knew what he was getting into -- the wild.
Posted by Kyer at September 5, 2006 12:24 AM | TrackBack