and while people kill each other in wars worldwide....LiveJournal remembers what's Important.

[moonvoice]

Holy moly, I've seen more people cover Steve Irwin's death in posts on my FList (over 8 so far) in the past hour that it's disturbing (though I feel bad for his wife and two children, it's not like they will be penniless / without support / etc.) I'm sure the news in Australia will make it a headline on all the news stations even as we send illegal immigrants offshore to live in harsh conditions, even as we ignore the Australian Aboriginals who continue to live in fourth world - yes, fourth world - conditions.

Is this world skewed, or what?

I reckon the war of terror would get more coverage if everyone started killing each other with stingray barbs instead of bombs. *cough cough*

Comments

[lupabitch.livejournal.com]

*shrugs* It's like the day I posted about the morning after pill being made over the counter in the U.S.--hardly anyone ganked that link from me, but everybody and their mother was birching about how Pluto got downgraded from planet status.

As for Irwin, I posted that partly out of shock, but also because ya know what? I did really admire the guy. Americans tend to be apathetic fuckers, and most have to have everything spoonfed via entertainment. (And for those not familiar with me, yes, I am American.) He managed to make people in the States aware of endangered species when they wouldn't watch otherwise. Sure, there was a lot of "OMG snakes on a leg!", but there was also a lot of environmental sensitivity, too. And he did a lot for preserving wild places and species, too--and that, to me, is of utmost importance.

No, the situation isn't ideal. People act less than they complain about situations, and there's entirely too much complacency. But at this stage in the game, I'll take anything that gets more awareness out there, even if it has to be couched in sensationalism for the masses.

[thumbeline.livejournal.com]

Woah, I originally read that as "penisless"....

make of it what you will. :P

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

We're all tired and jaded with war, illegal immigrants, alcoholic aboriginals etc.

Here was a person who cared about something not enough people DO care about, the non cute and furry animals that are just as vital as every other species on this planet. He was an ambassador for them. As I said in my post, I just hope Terri, Bindi and Bob carry on the legacy, people NEED to be educated about conservation or else there won't be any world left for us, or the illegals or the alcoholic aboriginals or anyone.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

yes, I agree to a degree. But how many aboriginal centres focus on conservation, environmentalism and looking after our planet? There are plenty of them that don't get much coverage because of the fact they are in a minority group.

Steve Irwin wasn't one of the 'few' who was doing a great job, he was one of the many who just happened to get noticed because he was white, and because he had a gimmick.

He will be one of the only ambassadors of nature who will get any notice (with the exception of David Attenborough) or media attention, while thousands of other ambassadors of nature truck along doing animal rehabilitation, educate and entertain people about nature, and do their bit to help in conservation.

*shrugs* And we'll forget about them because why, we're tired and jaded? No, because the media forgot to shove the existence of plenty of other environmentalists. It's not all about cynicism, a lot of it is just about paying attention to what we see in the mass media around us.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Heh. Penisless.
Well, they are that too!

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

It's not an ideal situation, that's for sure.

But I wonder if as many people on my Flist will post when David Attenborough - a far better (I believe) conservationist and more consummate educator - passes away? I find myself thinking that, if he's not killed by something poisonous, he won't. It might be mentioned by a couple of my more nature-loving FList members, but it won't have the same impact.

It's ironic, but I think Steve Irwin was far more well-loved by non-Australians, and I'm glad that he raised awareness of conservation etc. elsewhere, but I find it sad that conservation issues had to be made into a gimmick for people to pay attention to them.

Give me David Attenborough any day.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Uh, that's meant to be: 'no, because the media forgot to shove the existence of plenty of other environmentalists in our face.'

Probably because they're more busy actually looking after our environment, than doing photo shoots and camera calls, and coming up with new gimmicks to keep the masses entertained.

[thumbeline.livejournal.com]

haha, i almost said that but thought it would be in bad taste, since the kids never shoulda had his penis to begin with ;P

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Haha. Is it bad that I laughed at the supposed 'bad taste?'
Clearly I need a nap. *grin*

[thumbeline.livejournal.com]

It took me a second to get that but oooh.. you're bad!

*slaps hand*

[darakat-ewr.livejournal.com]

There is only one thing I can say to this... CRIKEY!

Sorry that had to be done by someone eventually. Its really stupid how news covers things like this, but as I have said in the past there is not much one can do to stop it.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

CRIKEY!
ROFL.

Yeah, the news is stupid. I love it. It's part of my love-hate relationship with the media.

[sidheblessed.livejournal.com]

I feel for his wife, having to raise their two children alone. She's a nice lady, I met her once on a famly trip to Queensland. I feel especially bad for his son though as he's so young he won't remember his dad.

[chibithejournal.livejournal.com]

Wow I noticed a bunch of entries from everyone this morning too, but Im not making one because I totally agree with you.
And people wonder why terrorists do what they do. Its a freaking plea to be heard (sometimes).
It is all skewed, isnt it? Very sad.

[crsg.livejournal.com]

Yup, this would make it number five on my f-list. So far.

And for my 2 cents:

I'm no fan, but he was just the type of guy who doesn't get killed. Its almost like it could be some practical joke, its that kind of unreal.

Meh, what news sells I guess. I'm too used to it to really go on a rant about how Steve Irwin's death is rather the least of the world's troubles at this particular moment (or indeed any moment).

Plus, he was probably (with respect), asking for it.

[the-old-soul.livejournal.com]

I don't see the fuss either. I assumed I was just heartless, but yeah it is skewed.

[rivenscythe.livejournal.com]

What has surprised me about the whole shebang is the venom being directed at those that aren't elevating him to sainthood. I've seen people being chased off bulletin boards as being heartless and callous for not being overwhelmingly positive about him.

THen again, superhumanism as part of the grieving process has always been strange to me, as it always feels so fucking dishonest to the person who has died, whether they were an international celebrity or someone living in the fourth world.

We are an fucked up species.

[rivenscythe.livejournal.com]

This audio rant from a well-known furry personality (2 gryphon) broaches this subject in a rant on funerals in general.

NSFW, I guess. http://www.ranting-gryphon.com/Rants/2rant-funerals.mp3

[blackdragon5.livejournal.com]

I guess I don't know why people are so shocked. I always assumed something would eat or poison him eventually.

[lupabitch.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* Agreed. But then again, publicity is a huge thing over here. As I said, you can't get important things to most people here without giving it a big dose of entertainment value. It doesn't surprise me, though, that his popularity wasn't as great in his home country.

Part of me hopes that what he did, though, will have gotten at least some people more interested in environmental issues, even if it's only to care enough to vote against a measure that would harm an endangered species. Apathy is still too rampant here, and I doubt that most folks see much beyond their televisions--but at least it wasn't just another "reality TV" show.

OTOH, this is a good reminder to also remember that it's not just about the celebs. Right underneath the headline for Irwin's death there was a link to a story about a New York state trooper who died from injuries sustained in apprehending a criminal. I read it, too, and I'm betting his family is no less heartbroken.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

*nods* It might sound strange, or ignorant on my behalf, but I don't think I realised the extent of the apathy in the US. I know that American mass media has to cater to an audience that now requires things like jump cuts, editing, juxtaposition etc. to retain interest (which is why such techniques are more common in Australia and the UK). I shouldn't be surprised, because there's a program shown on the National Geographic channel that we get about animals, but its entire spin is how dangerous each animal is. I can't remember what it's called, but the whole program seems to create interest by just showing death, featuring urgency in the narrator's voice, and using so many jump cuts and special effects... I dunno. I don't like that program.

Steve Irwin was something of a joke here, and when he broke the law by touching / riding around with whales in Antarctica (I believe that's where it was), it just reinforced the opinion of many. Here, he was either someone you loved or you hated. I think as well, because Australia has had quite a few icons of environmentalism, including the more placid Malcolm Douglas (I think that's his name). That said, a lot of kids really loved Steve Irwin.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the way he died doesn't surprise me in the least. As I said to Glen last night, 'he kind of asked for it.' He's somewhat well known for flouting Australian and international law and touching / riding around on animals that you're not supposed to touch. Even if he wasn't doing that to this animal, pretty much everyone I've talked to so far in Oz has admitted absolutely no surprise that this is the way he went.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I haven't had any of the venom come my way yet, but maybe that's because people sense that I just won't put up with it. It's my journal for god's sake, I can have whatever opinion I want.

But I've seen another gazillion posts go up about it since I posted this one.

And you'll never guess what was a feature of our conversation in meditation group last night.

Amusingly, Glen went onto Wikipedia to see if it had already been updated. It hadn't, so he went to the Stingray section, and someone had written; 'these fuckers killed Steve Irwin!!!!' within about 20 minutes of the announcement that Steve Irwin was dead.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm assuming that maybe I am a little heartless. But seeing about another 15 threads on exactly the same topic after this post just seemed like overkill.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

He probably was (with respect) asking for it. The way he often treated and played with animals provoked them outright. Anyone who has to go 'don't do this at home, or THIS' probably wasn't going to be every animal's best friend.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

It IS skewed. I don't hate Steve Irwin, I just had no time for him, like most Australians. But to see it being covered so fervently, *everywhere*, I find truly disturbing.

If people just created an over-excited gimmick, it's like they'll get far more fame than others. :/

[jet-ski.livejournal.com]

You know, there is the element of 'he's the kind of person who you just don't expect to die', but lots of people in oz that i've spoken to haven't even SEEN the crocodile hunter....

There was one ep in particular where he picked up a snake and was playing with it on camera, then it bit him. Drama ensued because he did not know if it was venomous or not and he had to look it up in his field guide. If you don't know if its venemous or not, why pick it up? Great role model there.

Just because he was the only conservationist that managed to capture the attention of a nation of apathetic people with the attention span of a gnat does not make him worthy of a State funeral, as is being considered by Peter Beattie.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I must admit, I do feel sorry for the wife and the children, but I am also aware that she is pretty much set up, she will probably carry on his legacy, she has finances and the support of a whole nation, as well as all the staff members at Australia zoo.

She is - despite her grief - much more fortunate than many other Mums who lose their husband. It's terrible to say, but it's also true. The kids will have documentaries about their father, hundreds and thousands of photographs, interviews, etc. Unlike the young children of parents who die who may have very little to remember them by, or nothing at all.

It's sad, but they're in a good position as well to meet this tragedy.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Just because he was the only conservationist that managed to capture the attention of a nation of apathetic people with the attention span of a gnat does not make him worthy of a State funeral, as is being considered by Peter Beattie.

*sigh* I don't even have the words.

And yeah, he was a shit role model. He really was. I'm not going to suddenly lie about how I felt about him because he's passed on. He interfered with animals, he broke the law, he messed around with them and their ecosystems often with no respect of how stressed the animal might actually be etc.

The one good thing he did was probably raise public interest, or open the doors for someone who actually is a good role model.

I never liked Crocodile Hunter, I watched one episode and was disgusted. He may have raised public interest for some, but he certainly disgusted enough others that the benefits would have been compromised in Australia.

A state funeral?
*sigh*

[lupabitch.livejournal.com]

Just think of all the bad stereotypes about the ignorant American--there are plenty of people who fit the bill. Environmentalism is relegated to the realm of the "liberals", and it takes a long time to get anything mainstreamed--there are still a lot of place that don't have recycling pickup.

Sad as it is, it really took someone like Irwin to get the point across to a lot of Americans, which is why I admire him--yeah, it was entertainment, but it introduced people to ideas that they wouldn't otherwise have caught on to.

[sidheblessed.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree, she is more fortunate. However some things you metion as evidenc she is more forunate could also be a exra burden. Being in the public eye means her children will have a lot of video footage of their dad however it also means their grief will also be public. That's going to make it harer, I suspect.

Also she may have all that support financially and from the fans but that won't deaden the pain of being without her huband. I bet she would give it a away to just have one more hug or kiss from him.

So I agree she is more fortunate, I just don't think it's going to help all that mch with her grief.

[sidheblessed.livejournal.com]

Agreed. ^.^

[jet-ski.livejournal.com]

I hope his family says no cos I dont think the politicians are going to back down on it...

I mean really ... Kerry Packer got a State funeral in 2005 didn't he?

[paleo.livejournal.com]

I see what you're saying, particularly since Irwin's claim to fame in Australia was merely becoming a pop icon to another country.
For me though, when someone dies, unless I was already actively wishing them dead, I do think it is important to try to understand what good they did and honor that.
Unfortunantly, most folks don't like to think too deeply. Americans in particualar are addicted to high emotional force-feedings. If someone dies, they either become a saint or totally demonized. Irwin is facing both right now, and I find both rather stupid.
I personally saw Irwin as not the greatest role model in animal handling and he was a huge camera hog. However, he did change many people's views on reptiles, and I feel that any good towards animals should be honored.
Sadly, people are only interested in lighting candles to Saint Irwin now, and I doubt any real thought on continuing conservation of reptiles will last more than a month.