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| The Irwin video: Would you watch it? | The Irwin video: Would you watch it? |
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| Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin's final moments were captured on camera. But should that film ever be broadcast to the watching public? | Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin's final moments were captured on camera. But should that film ever be broadcast to the watching public? |
| Yes, says Anna Smajdor No, says Daniel Sokol | Yes, says Anna Smajdor No, says Daniel Sokol |
| Steve Irwin made a career partly based on taking risks with wildlife. His death this week at the barb of a stingray on Australia's Barrier Reef was filmed, and in a Sydney Morning Herald poll 40% of the 24,000 or so respondents thought it should be shown. | Steve Irwin made a career partly based on taking risks with wildlife. His death this week at the barb of a stingray on Australia's Barrier Reef was filmed, and in a Sydney Morning Herald poll 40% of the 24,000 or so respondents thought it should be shown. |
| Here, two medical ethicists try to answer the question of whether anyone should be able to watch it. | Here, two medical ethicists try to answer the question of whether anyone should be able to watch it. |
| ANNA SMAJDOR, IMPERIAL COLLEGE, LONDON | ANNA SMAJDOR, IMPERIAL COLLEGE, LONDON |
| While we might question what kind of person would want to watch such a gruesome spectacle, I suggest there are reasons why we should at least consider making the footage available to the public. Steve Irwin was a well-known public figure, whose popular TV shows regularly drew large audiences. | While we might question what kind of person would want to watch such a gruesome spectacle, I suggest there are reasons why we should at least consider making the footage available to the public. Steve Irwin was a well-known public figure, whose popular TV shows regularly drew large audiences. |
| His death occurred while he was in the process of filming another documentary - hence the existence of the footage in question. The life and death of a public figure are - naturally - of public interest. This is particularly the case when a person is well-known because of the risks he takes. | His death occurred while he was in the process of filming another documentary - hence the existence of the footage in question. The life and death of a public figure are - naturally - of public interest. This is particularly the case when a person is well-known because of the risks he takes. |
| When Irwin wrestled with crocodiles, some of our amazement at his feats was surely connected with the risk involved. Irwin was a courageous man, and courage relies on danger for its expression. | When Irwin wrestled with crocodiles, some of our amazement at his feats was surely connected with the risk involved. Irwin was a courageous man, and courage relies on danger for its expression. |
| Had Irwin's exploits with crocodiles been entirely safe, he would not have been regarded as an intrepid hunter and naturalist, and perhaps we would have been less inclined to tune in when his programmes were being aired. | Had Irwin's exploits with crocodiles been entirely safe, he would not have been regarded as an intrepid hunter and naturalist, and perhaps we would have been less inclined to tune in when his programmes were being aired. |
| The point here is that Irwin's public appeal was premised on facing danger. At any stage of his media career, disaster could have struck; animals are unpredictable as Irwin himself was aware, so even an intelligent man, physically strong, and an educated naturalist, cannot be certain of what an animal will do next. | The point here is that Irwin's public appeal was premised on facing danger. At any stage of his media career, disaster could have struck; animals are unpredictable as Irwin himself was aware, so even an intelligent man, physically strong, and an educated naturalist, cannot be certain of what an animal will do next. |
| Irwin was willing to undertake these risks for the sake of our entertainment and our education, and at a broader level, for the sake of conservation. Irwin's role as an educator is important here. | Irwin was willing to undertake these risks for the sake of our entertainment and our education, and at a broader level, for the sake of conservation. Irwin's role as an educator is important here. |
| He was willing to or provoke animals so that viewers could see what happens when a crocodile or snake goes into attack mode While his documentaries were undoubtedly sensational and highly entertaining, his aim was also to enlighten viewers about the animals he interacted with, their behaviour when threatened, and their means of defence. | He was willing to or provoke animals so that viewers could see what happens when a crocodile or snake goes into attack mode While his documentaries were undoubtedly sensational and highly entertaining, his aim was also to enlighten viewers about the animals he interacted with, their behaviour when threatened, and their means of defence. |
| He was willing to "tease" or provoke animals so that viewers could see what happens when a crocodile or snake goes into attack mode. Irwin's tragic death can be regarded as a poignant reminder of the fact that this kind of work involves severe risks. | He was willing to "tease" or provoke animals so that viewers could see what happens when a crocodile or snake goes into attack mode. Irwin's tragic death can be regarded as a poignant reminder of the fact that this kind of work involves severe risks. |
| Up till now we have witnessed Irwin sporting with crocodiles, poisonous snakes and tarantulas, always emerging unscathed and as lively as ever. The footage of Irwin's final film can in itself be regarded as a necessary part of our education: these animals are dangerous, and fooling around with them can be deadly. | Up till now we have witnessed Irwin sporting with crocodiles, poisonous snakes and tarantulas, always emerging unscathed and as lively as ever. The footage of Irwin's final film can in itself be regarded as a necessary part of our education: these animals are dangerous, and fooling around with them can be deadly. |
| 'His ultimate message' | 'His ultimate message' |
| So, let us ask: who would want to watch the footage of Irwin's fatal encounter with a stingray? Perhaps those for whom Irwin's programmes revealed a world whose creatures fascinate us partly because of their dangerousness and unpredictability. | So, let us ask: who would want to watch the footage of Irwin's fatal encounter with a stingray? Perhaps those for whom Irwin's programmes revealed a world whose creatures fascinate us partly because of their dangerousness and unpredictability. |
| Irwin spent much of his life bringing to a wider public a vision of "nature red in tooth and claw", no fluffy bunnies or cute kittens here. His programmes were not for the squeamish, but portrayed wild animals capable of killing a man. | Irwin spent much of his life bringing to a wider public a vision of "nature red in tooth and claw", no fluffy bunnies or cute kittens here. His programmes were not for the squeamish, but portrayed wild animals capable of killing a man. |
| The footage of Irwin's death is his ultimate message to us of the ruthlessness and power that we admire and fear in nature. | The footage of Irwin's death is his ultimate message to us of the ruthlessness and power that we admire and fear in nature. |
| DANIEL SOKOL, KEELE UNIVERSITY | DANIEL SOKOL, KEELE UNIVERSITY |
| In an interview four years ago, Steve Irwin said "If I'm going to die, at least I want it filmed." | In an interview four years ago, Steve Irwin said "If I'm going to die, at least I want it filmed." |
| Of course, this may not have been an invitation to broadcast the footage to the world - he may have wanted only a select few to see it or made the remark with his tongue firmly in his cheek - but it is plausible, in light of his ebullient personality and intrepid attitude, that this is precisely what he meant. There is, nonetheless, some uncertainty as to what Irwin would have wanted. | Of course, this may not have been an invitation to broadcast the footage to the world - he may have wanted only a select few to see it or made the remark with his tongue firmly in his cheek - but it is plausible, in light of his ebullient personality and intrepid attitude, that this is precisely what he meant. There is, nonetheless, some uncertainty as to what Irwin would have wanted. |
| Irwin's family and his crew members should have a say in the decision | Irwin's family and his crew members should have a say in the decision |
| Our beliefs today may differ from those we held even a year ago. Presumably, his wife and close friends could provide the most educated guess on his latest views on the matter. Still, the most cautious approach (applying what some call the "precautionary principle") would oppose releasing the tape. The reasoning goes "If we're not sure, better play it safe and leave things as they are". | Our beliefs today may differ from those we held even a year ago. Presumably, his wife and close friends could provide the most educated guess on his latest views on the matter. Still, the most cautious approach (applying what some call the "precautionary principle") would oppose releasing the tape. The reasoning goes "If we're not sure, better play it safe and leave things as they are". |
| The issue would not be resolved even if it were clear that Steve Irwin had wanted to broadcast the footage to the public. There is no absolute obligation to honour the wishes of a dead - or, indeed, a living - person. It depends on the nature of the wish itself. Is it reasonable? Can it be fulfilled? Will it cause distress to others? | The issue would not be resolved even if it were clear that Steve Irwin had wanted to broadcast the footage to the public. There is no absolute obligation to honour the wishes of a dead - or, indeed, a living - person. It depends on the nature of the wish itself. Is it reasonable? Can it be fulfilled? Will it cause distress to others? |
| Irwin's family and his crew members should have a say in the decision to release the footage. John Stainton, his close friend and manager, has already indicated after watching the tape that he wants it destroyed. | Irwin's family and his crew members should have a say in the decision to release the footage. John Stainton, his close friend and manager, has already indicated after watching the tape that he wants it destroyed. |
| The public and graphic exposure of his death could have significant psychological effects on his relatives and, in particular, his two young children. | The public and graphic exposure of his death could have significant psychological effects on his relatives and, in particular, his two young children. |
| Even if his entourage gives the green light and the tape is released - and many believe this last event will inevitably happen - there remains a question of personal morality. Should you, the viewer, watch the footage? | Even if his entourage gives the green light and the tape is released - and many believe this last event will inevitably happen - there remains a question of personal morality. Should you, the viewer, watch the footage? |
| Why watch? | Why watch? |
| The answer depends on your motives. Are you a marine biologist or ethologist (someone who studies animal behaviour) eager to understand the defensive behaviour of a frightened stingray? Are you a cardiologist or toxicologist interested in aspects of the injury itself? | The answer depends on your motives. Are you a marine biologist or ethologist (someone who studies animal behaviour) eager to understand the defensive behaviour of a frightened stingray? Are you a cardiologist or toxicologist interested in aspects of the injury itself? |
| Before watching the footage, we should ask ourselves: why do I want to watch this? I suspect many people would answer "for entertainment" or "out of curiosity". | Before watching the footage, we should ask ourselves: why do I want to watch this? I suspect many people would answer "for entertainment" or "out of curiosity". |
| Is there not something discomforting about these answers? Do they not reflect a morbid desire to witness a fatal tragedy? Sometimes our instinctive "yuk" response to an event or suggestion is not based on reason but on deep-rooted prejudice or ignorance. | Is there not something discomforting about these answers? Do they not reflect a morbid desire to witness a fatal tragedy? Sometimes our instinctive "yuk" response to an event or suggestion is not based on reason but on deep-rooted prejudice or ignorance. |
| This time, the "yuk" is more firmly grounded. It is a mistake to say that watching the clip in private would harm no one, as the event has already occurred. | This time, the "yuk" is more firmly grounded. It is a mistake to say that watching the clip in private would harm no one, as the event has already occurred. |
| It may well harm the watcher, whose humanity and moral sensibility will suffer. Irwin's passion for nature and his exuberance leapt out of the screen. Let that memory remain, and let the footage of his pierced heart disappear with the stingray into the depths of the ocean. | It may well harm the watcher, whose humanity and moral sensibility will suffer. Irwin's passion for nature and his exuberance leapt out of the screen. Let that memory remain, and let the footage of his pierced heart disappear with the stingray into the depths of the ocean. |
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |