I will be disheartened if the Steve Irwin Stingray Attack Video is never viewed by the public. I'll also be saddened if the Stingray Attack Video is shown on news channels all over the world, free of charge. Shouldn't we do more than simply sit like couch potatoes watching a great man's final moments without contributing in some way?
I believe there is a way to show Mr. Irwin's sting ray attack video to the public and have it serve the greatest good, and that is to show it as a special world wide pay per view event. I also don't think the death itself needs to be shown. However we all could learn just what exactly happened up until the point of the attack, that would be enough for me. The actual contact between Mr. Irwin and the Stingray doesn't actually have to be shown. The Video could be stopped the frame before the Stingray actually touches Mr. Irwin, but in the process millions would learn exactly what happened and why, and the money raised could be donated to animal rescue and animal sanctuaries around the world.
Mr. Irwin had already earned the adoration and respect of the everyday average Joe. Even animal rights and animal rescue groups grudgingly acknowledge that what Mr. Irwin did with crocs and other exotic animals was far better than what hunters, furriers, and slaughterhouses do to animals. Mr. Irwin brought attention, education, respect, and suspense into his unscripted animal encounters. It was mano a mano as Mr. Irwin serenaded ferocious animals for all to see. Unlike "canned hunts" in which "wild" but caged animals are first drugged and then shot at close range by a person with too much money and not enough soul, Mr. Irwin's job was never to kill an animal but to let us see how an animal actually behaves in real life situations.
There were no armed bodyguards around Mr. Irwin trained to fire at any animal that misbehaved or got too close, and that is why Mr. Irwin was a hero to many. Clothed only in what many might deem "a walk in the park" leisure wear, Mr. Irwin impacted us all with his in the moment interaction with animals that wanted to eat him.
The prolonged, worldwide universal shock at Mr. Irwin's instant demise needs to be addressed in a way that rivals the greatness that was Mr. Irwin. A world wide pay per view event of the stingray attack is one way we can truly pay homage to this brave man who merged our fear and curiosity about wild animals into videos that were viewed the world over.
I'd like to see the Sting Ray Attack video raise a hundred million dollars or more on behalf of the Irwin family, with the hope that most of the money would then be donated far and wide among the worlds animal rescue groups and animal sanctuaries that always are in need of funds.
Maybe enough money could be raised from a world wide pay per view event that the yearly interest on the money raised could be donated in perpetuity to animal rescue and animal sanctuary organizations . What a fitting tribute that would be to a man who deserves no less of an accolade.
I have never subscribed to a special pay per view event in my life, but I would not hesitate to pay homage to the man who merged the world of animals and man, anything less than pay per view and I will feel like we cheated the man, and ourselves.
If you loathe the idea of creating perpetual funds for the animals of the world via a pay per view event of the stingray attack, will you be willing to look away the first time, the second time, and every other time you have a chance to see a bootlegged internet version of the attack for free?
Mr. Irwins last documentary just aired on Discovery Channel
I was saddened by Mr. Irwins last documentary because it made me realize that it was his voice over skill that made him such a phenomenon. Without his voice over in the last documentary Mr. Irwin participated in, I just wasn't drawn in nearly as much.
When it's all said and done, the planet would have been better off raising that 100 million dollars from a pay per view event, the yearly interest rate from that 100 million dollars could have funded many different ecological endeavors on an annual basis.
Meanwhile, it looks like Mr. Irwins young daughter may carry the torch onward, and that will probably be a good thing.
by
Alessandro Machi (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 174 comments)
on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 6:05:43 AM
Steve Irwin's death was tragic. Yes. Alot have suffered. But the tape should simply be shown to his family so they see he went in a way that he would have wanted. Doing something he loved and cherished. He was quoted saying "I have no fear of losing my life. If I have to save a koala, crocodile, kangaroo, or snake, mate I will save it." Steve Irwin was a Great man and showing his death to everyone would only bring more sorrow and pain. The tape should simply be destroyed. Why have such a depressing thing around?
by
Bethany James (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 10:22:55 PM
I thought my editorial laid out exactly why this one time would be different versus showing other kinds of deaths or public executions in the future.
Mr. Irwin was truly one of a kind and raising a hundred million dollars in his name to then benefit wild life all over the world is a tribute, not an insult.
What would Mr. Irwin say if he were asked? "Crikey, you better all pay to see me tragically die rather than wait to see it for free off of some bootlegged version from the internet".
To not show the video at all means we can't learn from from Mr. Irwin's death, how it happened, what went wrong, what do we have to fear if we ever see a stingray...., to allow the video to seep into the mainstream for free via a bootlegged version would be the real tragedy.
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Alessandro Machi (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 174 comments)
on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 11:56:35 PM
Think of Steve's dear family and the harm this could do to them, specially his two lovely children.
Speaking from experience I know how it is to have the death of a loved one to be so put out there for the world to see. I was seven when my loved one died and too young to handle it so over twenty years later it hit news and a documentary has been made. I saw the pictures of my loved one in court and on T.V., pictures that were taken at her autopsy. To see those pictures as a 30 some year old was devastating and very thankful that as a 7 year I didn't have to see them, it was bad enough to watch her die. All though the pictures have helped others detectives they were seen by millions of people, and that can be very intrusive.
I say think of Steve's children, they are so young. I agree that the video can be educational to those who are in the line of work that Steve was in, but it's not useful for the whole word to see. Yes if it was televised I would most likely see it after all we are living in a rubberneck world (it's like passing a car accident, everyone wants to slow down and see if anyone has died), but I would not pay to watch someone die, that's just sick.
We are living in a cold-hearted world and that is sad, I know what it's like to watch a love one die and then to have the world know too and I don't wish that kind of pain upon my worse enemy.
Think of Terri a lovely wife and their two beautiful children and the rest of the family and friends that spent time loving this dear and giving man name Steve Irwin.
We as a public were welcomed by Steve and his family into their lives and they showed us what was close to their hearts and we need to be thankful for that. Let the family have this to themselves, after all they have given us so much, we at lest can give them the gift of compassion.
by
Nancy Spaulding (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 3:55:54 AM
If a video of my death could be used to raise millions for the environment or endangered animals, or for any good cause, as long as my immediate family approved, which I think they would, I'd be for it.
Death is a part of each person's life. There is no shame in a noble death, or in facing death nobly. Seeing the dying process, in my experience, seeing an open coffin, is the better way, since it helps you to fully face the loss.
by
Rob Kall (807 articles, 3921 quicklinks, 332 diaries, 1702 comments)
on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 6:16:20 AM
There is a ying and a yang to the issue of profiting on someone's death and what will the family think.
Mr. Irwin felt comfortable bringing his approximately one year old child into a staged encounter with a crocodile that ended up being quite controversial. Didn't Mr. Irwin also make a living encountering animals that would have rather been left alone?
Are we so smug and above all other species that it's OK for us to use them for our entertainment and to profit from them but when the opportunity arises to return the favor on the animals behalf we only think about ourselves?
I don't actually want to see the death myself. I would still pay anyways as way of contributing to the fundraising. What I am more curious about was the exact situation Mr. Irwin was in prior to his death. I would be curious to see how the stingray behaved, how the stinger was used, up until the point just before it struck Mr. Irwin. I don't need to see beyond that. Right now a lot of people have opinions about stingrays and how dangrous they are that are probably malformed as a result of hearing about Mr. Irwin while seeing nothing about the actual encounter.
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Alessandro Machi (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 174 comments)
on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 11:30:08 AM
The ultimate snuff/bestiality movie to succour the environment?
Hardly? Can two wrongs make a right! To leave death its due dignity, you do not splash it indiscriminately all over the planet for voyeurs to jerk off on like some kind of Big Brother? Irwin's death cannot be tainted with vulgarity.
To suggest it is to miss the point.
The simple fact that he died should be enough to generate donations from the four corners of the globe to the causes he cared so passionately about. If anyone wants to view a video of the man drawing his last breath why stop there? Why not a clip of him in bed with his wife as well? The notion is wrongheaded, it reduces the life work of the ultimate eco-warrior to the lowest common denominator.
The man fell with majesty, effectively sacrifing his life to his cause, the environment. The knowledge that Irwin's behaviour would inevitably lead to a premature end must have been uppermost in his family's mind, perhaps they were reconciled to the fact, but does that mean, in their grief, they should have to suffer such a brutal violation of their privacy?
To blazon Irwin's passing is to reduce his legacy to the level of a low life snuff movie. If is preposterous pure and simple.
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Odette Sacroug (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments)
on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 8:16:03 PM
WTF ??????
Show Steve Irwin's death as taped by his cameraman ?
Only in America, this drive to have the video footage made public demonstrates the ILLNESS that prevails in American society.
NOTHING IS SACRED.
Well folks, go take a running jump at yerselves, you'll probably enjoy it too.
As fer that crap about "Oh you must show us so we don't do the same thing " DUH !
There have been two recorded deaths from encounters with stingrays in recorded Australian history, so the chances of anyone else, especially in America of succumbing from such an attack would be highly unlikely, probably have a better chance of being struck by lightning,
And this demonstartes very clearly, the morbid cold blooded callousness of American society in demanding to even view this footage.
Quiet aside from the fact, that to do so, would under the current circumstances BE ILLEGAL, as said video footage is in the hands of the Police awaiting the Coroner's enquiry.
What's that you say ?
It could still be released clandestinely ?
Yeah sure, as long as you have no respect for our laws hey ?
So what sort of people does that make, who are clamouring for the release of this footage ?
Speaks for it'self I reckon.
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Eddy Schmid (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 9 comments)
on Friday, September 8, 2006 at 2:21:01 AM
Only if the family deems it appropriate should anyone even think of airing such a tragic event. To raise millions for the reptiles and other animals Mr Irwin loved is great, but once again, only if the family sees it as something positive.
What a Man! His love and passion for all animals burst through the screen everytime.
by
sbaker (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 127 comments)
on Friday, September 8, 2006 at 10:02:09 AM
Everyone needs to remember that death can always be tragic, especially to Steve Irwin who had a family and who was in good health. When Steve Irwin started this job he said no matter what happens, to keep the cameras rolling and if the situation was to take a turn, that he'd like to have footage as he's being munched down by a croc. In this same statement that Steve made he also mentioned that he would be absolutely fine with having the footage available to the public. Personally i do think if the family is alright with this, the video can most definitely be used in many ways; either for the raising of money for the family or for animal rescues and such, but for education as well. Again this death is a tragic thing, but if would be even more tragic if this situation were to be simply left alone and nothing done in the memory of Irwin. He lived and shared his life with us, taught us of the beauty, importance, and unpredictability of some of the planet's wildest and most dangerous animals.
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Brenden Phillips (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Friday, September 8, 2006 at 9:23:47 PM
I think it's now been a couple of days that I updated the editorial to expressly state that the video could be shown up until the stingray was about to make contact with Mr. Irwin.
That most assuredly is not the same thing as showing the actual death of Mr. Irwin, to imply that it is like showing his death is a bit of an exaggeration.
Forgot what YOU think about this for just a moment, do you really believe Mr. Irwin would be offended to know that his own death (which wouldn't actually be shown) created a perpetual financial windfall for the animals of the world?
by
Alessandro Machi (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 174 comments)
on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 12:49:00 AM
If we understand you right, you have now effectively withdrawn your idea of selling a snuff movie of the great man's dying moment as a fund raising exercise?
So you want a prize?
Are those who read your outrageous proposal in the first place to be grateful to you for this sudden change of heart? Do you believe that, they, through divination, should KNOW you have seen the error of your ways and guess that you would cover your tracks by rewriting the text ... so the entire internet hanging on your every word and would consequently be aware of the hottest revised version!
Sorry kiddo, your "OpEd" crashed on take-off! Writing an article is akin to landing a plane, you get ONE chance.
Without a trace of guile, you cheerfully take on your readership reproaching critics for not RE READing the rubbish you wrote initially long after its shelf-live date has expired! From the depths of Cloud Cuckoo-land you seem to assume that readers are imbued with the gift of telephathy, and that with the benefit of hindsight they KNOW instinctively when you have finished re-editing any er stale "thoughts" and all long after deadlines and credibility have expired!
You are irritated that no one has apologised for expressing dismay at your "OpEd" now that it has changed. Why didn't clairvoyancy enable them to withdraw all their posts and apologise for the inconvenience caused you?
Kafka must be turning in his grave!
So in an earlier life you were a Dadaist? that only goes part of the way to explaining how you ever got to this point...
If only the central issue were not so serious, we could all sit back and howl with laughter at this grotesque interlude! Your manifold grasp of the black art of communication, virtual reality, fact, fiction, folly and spin is impressive!
Back to reality with a bump! Sorry fella! you are too late, any er.. rubbish you may have written has been read and cannot be DISINVENTED, as testified by comments posted in the thread.
H.G. Wells turned back the clock last century but to date, his time-machine has never been reproduced.
The fact is that crass insensitivity causes offence.
Power to the written word.
by
Odette Sacroug (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments)
on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 7:38:26 PM
I stand by my original version, I slightly changed it because the issue of how far one sees is not the defining point to my idea. The idea was to tribute Mr. Irwin and raise a lot of money for the wildlife, your continued insistence in calling it a snuff film is your trip.
Mr. Irwin was not universally revered by all, he was and is an interesting and brave man who was able to profit from his interaction with animals, whether the animals wanted to be a part of the act or not, yet that was much more humane than showing up with a gun for the specific purpose of killing an animal. It would be great to see money raised since Mr. Irwin will no longer be around to both exploit and educate the public about wildlife.
by
Alessandro Machi (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 174 comments)
on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 1:17:36 AM
We have learned that if a stingray especially around any major body organs stings you don't pull it at. I will take it as far as to say if you get pierced with anything anywhere on the body keep your cool (if your able to) and let the doctor take it out. When I first heard about Steve pulling out the stinger the first thought I had was, no you shouldn't have done that, but caught up in the moment I can understand why he did.
Yes Steve did say he would like for people to see what happen if he died on camera, but I'm also sure that he didn't expect to die while his kids were so young. Yes leave it up to the family.
I ask do we really did to see a video to learn how not to pull things out of your body because your chance of survival is better? We all know this, as I'm sure Steve did but you don't think when in the moment. I think we need not see it, and stingray attacks are so rare. Where I live our zoo has a big stingray hands on exhibit and this has not made the zoo or the parents think twice because attacks are so rare.
by
Nancy Spaulding (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 1:00:56 AM
Dad's Position on his Son's death is a Struggle for Sure...
I have only seen a couple of brief soundbites from Steve Irwin's father, I find them to be truthful and sincere, but incomplete as well. Yes I do agree with Mr. Irwin's father that Steve was a regular guy, but Steve Irwin was also more than that. Steve Irwin was a regular guy who also became an icon for man's involvement with nature via a path that had never really been taken before. Mr. Irwin's memory will quickly fade away if Mr. Irwin's father's position that his son was a regular guy, and nothing more, is allowed to be the final say in the matter.
As for not taking the stinger out, this wasn't like a bee sting in which the Stingray swam away without it's stinger, is it? Your potentially incorrect (but logically constructed) perception of what actually happened is exactly why we should all see, for a fee, the situation Mr. Irwin was in, even if the video is cut the moment before contact is made between the Stingray and Mr. Irwin. We currently don't really understand how the attack actually happened and along with the money raised for wildlife preservation it would allow for Mr. Irwin, the icon, to be remembered for his entire body of work far after we are all gone.
Is it possible that Mr. Irwin would only be remembered for the stingray attack? Not if the tribute pay per view video really does a great job of documenting Mr. Irwin's entire career.
Another tact that could be taken would be to "rotoscope" the actual attack. Rotoscoping would entail making a black and white drawing that exactly traces the actual motions of the Stingray and Mr. Irwin, but only as a black and white drawing. Mr. Irwins real face and body would no longer remain in the rotoscoped image, and that truly would educate as to how the enounter actually happened while keeping the actual real horror from being revealed.
I find it surprising that there have been so few stingray attacks, considering how dangerous looking and how serrated the stingray's stinger actually is.
by
Alessandro Machi (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 174 comments)
on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 2:59:50 PM
Are you even watching the news oh no wait you just said you just saw bits of interviews on the internet.
1. In the news it was said that if the stinger wasn't pulled out then he would have had a better chance of survival.
2. Unless YOU SAW THE VIDEO then how do you know that the stinger didn't break off...they can break you know! Yes it is not like a bee sting but it is possible for the stinger of a stingray to break.
3. For the fans, family and friends of Steve no matter how much the family makes him to be any regular joe he will always be remember by those who truly care.
4. RESPECT THE FAMILY!!!!!!!!!
5. DON'T JUST LISTEN TO BITS YOU HERE ON THE INTERNET ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH NEWS AND NEWS SHOWS IN IT'S FULL VERISON. BE WELL INFROMED!
by
Nancy Spaulding (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 6:39:02 PM
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