Crikey...

[martinlivings]

Steve Irwin is dead.

Some have said hoo-fucking-ray.

Personally, I've watched enough of Irwin's shows to realise that at least 95% of what he did was nowhere near as sensationalistic as people think. I suspect most, especially Australians, haven't actually watched his show terribly much, and thus based their preconceptions on the stereotypical perceptions of the man, especially the South Park parody. "Oi'm gonna creep up behind 'im... and shove me thumb up 'is butt-hole! Aw yeah, he's really pissed now!".

I have to admit, I used to be in this camp too. It's knee-jerk cultural cringe, hard-wired into the Australian psyche. But since being in the UK, I've watched quite a few of the Crocodile Hunter Diaries shows, and perhaps he's calmed down in more recent years, but these shows were very respectful of nature, albeit in Irwin's own inimitable (ie, manic and over-enthusiastic) style. That, combined with his amazing interview on Andrew Denton's ABC show "Enough Rope" (to be repeated this week as a tribute, all nay sayers should watch it), greatly increased my respect for the man. Sure, he had his Michael Jackson moment, but I think that's just a sign of passion, not stupidity.

The man was many things, but he wasn't stupid. And, while some are gloating that he died the way he deserved, I say he died doing what he loved. And that brings a whole different smile to my face.

Comments

[lie-xin.livejournal.com]

I had an opinion. It was taken badly. I opologise. But I do hope that people who read your link to my comment read *the whole thing* and realise, as angriest pointed out, that I had nothing against the man himself. Just his persona. I now know to keep my comments light and fluffy.

[martinlivings.livejournal.com]

Heck, there's no need to keep comments light and fluffy, but if you're attacking a "media construct", you should probably say so. The initial post - and that's all most casual browsers will read, remember that - was clearly aimed at the man, or perhaps unclearly aimed at the construct. But it's the man that died, not the persona; that'll live on forever through reruns. To call someone a "stupid fuck", amongst other things, then turn around and say you have nothing against the man, seems a little bizarre.

I guess on LJ it's important to say what you mean and mean what you say. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. That's yours, and this is mine. Don't back down just because it's not popular. If it's what you believe, stand by it. But also be prepared for differences of opinion, that's the joy of expressing yourself frankly in a public forum. Heck, look at benpeek, who seems to troll for controversy on an hourly basis. :)

[benpeek.livejournal.com]

Heck, look at benpeek, who seems to troll for controversy on an hourly basis. :)

you'd be surprised how little i troll for, actually. people seem to just offer it up for me...

[martinlivings.livejournal.com]

That's true, you're just you. Maybe "troll for" should have been "gleefully provoke". ;)

[benpeek.livejournal.com]

i only do that every now and then :)