The BBC are asking how many of us would watch the tape of Steve Irwins fatal encounter with the stingray...?

Question

How many of you would - and why?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5326802.stm

Spotlight - it is not a joke. It is a serious question. Would you? Why? No? Why not? I'm intrested in peoples thoughts on the subject!

Answer 1

yes I would because I can then stand there dribbling in amazement then say 'Fu ck me thats gross'. Then I'd probably have nightmares about it.

Answer 2

The divers bring up a good point in learning from mistakes and how to avoid them. Another would would be sheer interest in the news story--Being from the US, I've watched the shooting death of JFK many times (in news specials or movies) and he was a beloved President. I'm sure there are many others.

Steve Irwin, as well as the other "animal adventurers," knew that ratings increase when mocked conflict occurs between handler and animal. He probably initiated the conflict.

I think the reason why Irwin's family won't release the footage is what probably happened afterward. When the crew saw Irwin attacked, what do you think they did to the stingray? Remember, Irwin was supposed to be some kind of animal savior or environmentalist. I think that's what they are hiding.

Answer 3

I wouldn't, because it is encouraging voyeurism. Tragedy as entertainment. Also, think of his family. Why are the BBC even asking, they have to follow laid down standards decency. It smacks of the BBC abrogating their responsibilities by appealing directly to the viewer. This, no doubt, being done in the name of democracy but, for me, that is too much democracy. You will only get responses from people who have strong feelings either way. So it will not be a representative poll. Also, the public cannot be trusted to 'self censor', because there are too many warped minds out there. That is precisely why we have independent censors, although these days, the standards are very loose.

The very fact that the BBC is holding a poll, suggests that showing it, is a possibility on their part. Money, must also be in the mix somewhere.

Answer 4

the bottom line in this argument lies with the family...if they feel it is right to see the death of steve doing what he loved doing then that would be the case....only they will decide and i hope if they do they charge an arm and a leg for the benefit of the causes steve espoused........i will never forget the image of steve irwin talking to the camera while sharks were in a feeding frenzy all around him while he stood in the water...the guy was a crazy kook but he was fascinating, funny and very entertaining...i kind of felt one day his luck would run out the way he took risks dealing with wildlife but i would never have guessed it would take a stingray to be the culprit....my condolences to his friends and family....he was one of a kind and his legacy will continue as his shows run on animal planet

Answer 5

Did you know that four years ago he said, "If I die I hope there's a camera around filming it." I read that the cameraman said Stevo never saw the stingray until after it stung him. They think it may have felt cornered by Steve and the cameraman. I would watch it, just to see why the stingray attacked him, so that I won't ever make that same mistake. He was an educator and if his death can teach or save just one other person, then I think he would want us to see it, not to be morbid, or sick, but to learn from it. He dedicated his entire life to teaching us about wildlife. Even in death he can continue to teach us that even if a wild creature has a reputation for being nonaggressive, never turn your back on them because you just never know. That stingray may have just gotten away from a dangerous situation with another preditory sea creature and was in an offensive mode rather than its usual defensive mode.

Answer 6

If they actually had the audacity to air it, I would watch it out of curiosity and disbelief (and shock). However, I don't think they should air it - isn't anything sacred anymore? If I was Irwin's wife, I wouldn't be happy about such a private and morbid event telecast all over the world. Come on, a little privacy and respect, people...

Answer 7

They should put it in the gallery with that bear expert who died with his misses and there screams were caught on tape with a little video, then move unto the pictures taken of the friend of bill odie who got eaten by a tiger and took snaps till the end ie last picture was a gapiny tigers mouth, end with steve and we'll all have a cry, that would be gruesome,not sure you could really make it work ie. pull it off. Sounds amazing, its what he wanted though.

Answer 8

Sorry,but I think the reasoning that you would want to see it so you don't make the same mistake is just plain BS.You are just trying to justify a reason for your morbid curiosity.That excuse is almost as lame as those who say they need it for a school project.If you are an experienced diver,you already know the risks,you don't have to view a tape of someone dying.

Answer 9

I wouldn't want a member of my family to be shown dying in such a terrible way on television so wouldn't put Terri through the same thing. It's awful and voyeuristic.

Answer 10

i'm not sure if i would watch it but i think it should be shown as steve wanted it to be shown, plus it might help other people to realise that steve irwin was experienced in what he did and even he wasn't invincible, so it might help other divers to be a little more understanding of the dangers of a creature that is "reportedly" shy and reclusive, and yes i do feel that the tape would help alot of people to realise life can be taken away from us so quickly

Answer 11

Nope. I think it's barbaric. I worked for a hosipice for 3 years and I saw enough people die to suit me. Tel the BBC not to show a snuff film (I was over there in May, wounderful country BTW!).

I'd rather have imaginary violence and death, like the movie Vampire Biker Babes. I got killed by a vampire in that one, but nobody really got hurt.