Steve Irwin, natural selection at work

[Jeff Higgins]

I'm truly sorry to see the guy go. He seemed like a guy who was genuinly interested in the well-being of, an our understanding of, the species he studied.

That said, he was a showman. He loved the attention and, arguably, put it to good use. It also made him quite well off, I'm sure. I'm equally sure there are others in his field doing just as important work without all the publicity and or risk. One could argue that the publicity he generated helped his cause. I don't think so; it certainly helped him, though.

Some one compared his death to Earnhardt's. The same comparrison came to mind for me; a famous celebrity dies pursuing what they love. A high-risk venture that really does nothing for anyone else. The world mourns. Makes them out as "heroes" of some sort. On the same day, a kid dies in combat in Iraq, or Afganistan; fighting to make the world a better place for people he never knew. And no one knows or cares who he was. They care about the flashy celebrity, in it for himself. As this very thread demonstrates.

[Craig 930 RS]

He had more balls and energy than I could ever have.
Didn't have others do his dirty work.

I was saddened a bit when I heard the news.......

[masraum]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
... On the same day, a kid dies in combat in Iraq, or Afganistan; fighting to make the world a better place for people he never knew. And no one knows or cares who he was. They care about the flashy celebrity, in it for himself. As this very thread demonstrates.

Sadly, even worse, people ***** and moan about the job that the kid was doing.

[hytem]

I was very sorry to hear about this, and enjoyed his shows very much. The guy had balls. And he knew his way around animals and had a fondness for them. Good communicator, too.

The other fellow who tracks down snakes-- Austin Stevens --he's another clever guy who loves reptiles, though I can't figure why. Can you imagine holding a 30 ft python and talking into a movie camera at the same time? Ouch.

Both these men have shared a love and respect for the animals they've tracked and handled, as true environmentalists. Their shows have taught me a lot about animals in the wild.

[Joe Bob]

Guy was trying to make a buck....where's the problem?

[450knotOffice]

Well, actually, Steve Irwin did help advance his cause, which was to bring the general public closer to an understanding of animals in their natural habitat. He went into their environment, found them and put them right in front of the camera for a close up shot while he taught us a little something about them. Then he always gently let them be. I can't remember how many times he'd be out on some expedition in the bush and would be driving along on some road and would encounter an animal (a snake for instance) sitting in the middle of the road in harm's way. He always moved the animal back into the brush and out of harm's way.

Another time I remember him being in India and walking through a market and seeing these poor Cobra snakes jammed into these tiny cages, waiting to be killed so some tourist or local could have a drink that would supposedly make them virile. He was visibly both angry and saddened and made a point of highlighting this sad, barbaric practice.

He obviously was a good man and it seems he simply wanted the world to learn as much as it could about these wild animals and he seemed to feel that if it took a big personality and some showmanship to meet that goal then so be it.

He had a big worldwide audience so I'd say he definitely made a difference. It certainly helped his cause, Jeff.

[lisa_spyder]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
I'm truly sorry to see the guy go. He seemed like a guy who was genuinly interested in the well-being of, an our understanding of, the species he studied.

That said, he was a showman. He loved the attention and, arguably, put it to good use. It also made him quite well off, I'm sure. I'm equally sure there are others in his field doing just as important work without all the publicity and or risk. One could argue that the publicity he generated helped his cause. I don't think so; it certainly helped him, though.

Some one compared his death to Earnhardt's. The same comparrison came to mind for me; a famous celebrity dies pursuing what they love. A high-risk venture that really does nothing for anyone else. The world mourns. Makes them out as "heroes" of some sort. On the same day, a kid dies in combat in Iraq, or Afganistan; fighting to make the world a better place for people he never knew. And no one knows or cares who he was. They care about the flashy celebrity, in it for himself. As this very thread demonstrates.

I can't get onto the Australia Zoo website at the moment - it's busy (I wonder why)...you need to investigate "the wildlife warrior".

I am sure the Irwins have made plenty of money doing what they do (best). The Australia Zoo is living proof. What is not so apparent is the investment in natural habitat in different parts of the world they have made.

Steve Irwin admitted his wife Terri is "a bloody good capitalist". But when they would get a vast lump of money together, they would invest in "habitat purchase"...they have done it in Aus and in The States and elsewhere.

Talkback radio in Melbourne has been running hot since the tragedy yesterday. Aussies loved this bloke as he was so committed to his cause. He has used his fame and celebrity to attempt to bring about long term change. He was definitely an active participant in life, not an observer and "didn't give a rip" what anyone else thought.

A State Funeral has been offered by the Queensland Government and the Prime Minister held a press conference to offer his family's and government's condolences.

[M.D. Holloway]

I watch his shows with our Son and each time we see it he says "Dad, that guys gonna die doin that!" When we found out watiching the news our Boy looked over at me and said "See..."

It is a shame. The guy had ballz and interest and sparked many a youngster. I feel bad for his Wife and Kid. I hope she understood the risks he took daily and quickly accepts his passing. MHRIP.

[Fishcop]

The latest info indicates he died almost instantly after *removing* the broken-off spike from his chest. But they can't say yet whether it was the venom or damage to his heart.

There is complete footge of the entire incident Hopefully taste and decency will ensure it does not make it onto the internet...

It might be a little hard to explain to you guys over there in the US, but it is extremely hard to become a "hero" over here - where a pretty hard lot to impress. Steve Irwin is one of the few universally liked non-sports heroes we have. We'll take the loss hard.

[Porsche]

It's sad indeed. He was one of the rare people who was REAL - he was real on-camera as he was off-camera - like him or not, you've got to admire him for that. I feel sorry for his kids - they lost their dad one day after Father's day.

[DonDavis]

Originally posted by Fishcop
It might be a little hard to explain to you guys over there in the US, but it is extremely hard to become a "hero" over here - where a pretty hard lot to impress. Steve Irwin is one of the few universally liked non-sports heroes we have. We'll take the loss hard.

I was thinking that earlier today. He was huge everywhere and for a good thing. I'm sure the folks 'down under' are having a tough time. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Lots of folks predicted he would go at the hands of a croc or snake and others claimed he would "get his" at the hand of some kind of wildlife but I'm guessing few guessed it would be a freak accident like this.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Still, the guy was a nutjob - not for what he was doing with animals, but for the fact that he put his 1-month son in jeopardy by bringing him into a croccodile pen. I lost all respect for him after that incident.

-Wayne

Many feel that way. But what those same people forget is he knew what he was doing. And evidentially everyone who was close to him said he was probably one of the best fathers they knew.

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by dd74
Many feel that way. But what those same people forget is he knew what he was doing. And evidentially everyone who was close to him said he was probably one of the best fathers they knew.

That's how I felt about it.

[svandamme]

"But it is understood Steve’s family have vowed to grant the real-life Crocodile Dundee his "dying wish".

Steve famously said: "My number one rule is to keep that camera rolling. Even if it’s shaky or slightly out of focus, I don’t give a rip!

"Even if a big big old alligator is chewing me up I want to go down and go, ‘Crikey!’ just before I die. That would be the ultimate for me."

An insider said: "This is exactly what Steve would have wanted. He knew the dangers and was totally up for the cameras to get everything."

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=384



that's one internet video , i can do without...

[techweenie]

Originally posted by dd74
Many feel that way. But what those same people forget is he knew what he was doing. And evidentially everyone who was close to him said he was probably one of the best fathers they knew.

This thread is interesting. It's a real litmus test of how resentful some people are of a life well lived.

We seem to be in an era where achievements are denigrated, and lack of achievement is rewarded.

[Moneyguy1]

Mediocrity rules!!!!!

Everything is a video game, presented on a two dimensional screen; no depth, no personal danger. Everything is a "sound bite".

Death on the screen is somehow less real and less relevant.

Unfortunate.

[911S Targa]

Steve Irwin admitted his wife Terri is "a bloody good capitalist". But when they would get a vast lump of money together, they would invest in "habitat purchase"...they have done it in Aus and in The States and elsewhere.

They were planning on doing a habitat here in Vegas.

[Scooter]

Originally posted by techweenie
This thread is interesting. It's a real litmus test of how resentful some people are of a life well lived.

We seem to be in an era where achievements are denigrated, and lack of achievement is rewarded.

Ditto!

[dd74]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
Mediocrity rules!!!!!

Everything is a video game, presented on a two dimensional screen; no depth, no personal danger. Everything is a "sound bite".

Death on the screen is somehow less real and less relevant.

Unfortunate.

Not necessarily true. It is quite crushing to many to see a person of Irwin's stature die as he did, particularly after the robust way in which he captured and displayed the animals he has showcased.

No one takes Irwin's death for granted. I think the simple lesson here is Irwin submitted to the very thing he loved - nature. It's actually a perfect ending in many ways to his type of person.

[einreb]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
It's easy to see who in this thread has kids and who does not.

-Wayne

I don't think so. Some let their kids race karts, hunt, motocross, etc. Others wrap their kids in bubble wrap. It was simply Irwin's own 'risk calculation' factoring into how he wanted to raise his children.

Random common things I would consider WAY more dangerous than what he did...

- Letting a 16 year old drive at night
- Poor firearm education in households with guns
- Feeding your kid all processed crap and no fruits/veggies
- Photo Ops with bears in national parks
- Drinking while boating with the family
- etc... etc...