Olympic tragedy: death video on the news???

Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
edited February 2010 in A Moving Train
I watched the Olympic opening ceremonies tonight. Right after came the CTV National News. The story of the Georgian luge athlete's death was up first. The anchor said "the following video is disturbing, but is necessary to tell the story". Then I sat there in total shock and disbelief:

THEY SHOWED THE ACTUAL VIDEO OF THE LUGE ATHLETE'S DEATH RUN. Including him flying out of the track and smacking into the metal pole.

Never did I think for one second that the disturbing video they were about to show was his actual death. I thought it might have been mourners, or the ambulance driving him away, or something. I thought it was thoroughly disgusting, not to mention disrepectful to the man's family, friends, and team mates. Still images, maybe. A computer-generated 3-D representation of what happened would have been acceptable. But the ACTUAL fucking video?

I felt like throwing up.
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
    that is pretty messed up that they showed it. i remember numerous times where race car drivers were killed in wrecks and they were shown on the news, but in those cases they were contained in a sheet metal covered car...apparently this guy flew off of the track and there was nothing to obscure the view or block the scene...im glad i did not see it...i can imagine it would be like watching a "faces of death" video from the '80s..
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • I was talking to my siblings this morning, and they said they showed it multiple times even before the opening ceremonies and since then. why the hell do they think that's appropriate to show? It's beyond me.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • tybirdtybird Posts: 17,388
    NBC showed it a couple of times before the opening ceremonies began....which was a surprise to me too. Desperate for ratings already???
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    tybird wrote:
    NBC showed it a couple of times before the opening ceremonies began....which was a surprise to me too. Desperate for ratings already???


    a couple? i think it was at least 5 or 6 times...really pathetic on any broadcasters part to show it all...there is no need to show it and if someone wants to see it there is the internet
  • Fox didn't show it out of respect for his family and his team mates. I did happen to see it though and wish I hadn't. :(
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    I haven't seen it yet nor do I want to see it even though I've seen worse in my medical field work. :( A terrible way to the start of the Olympics. So are they going to go ahead with the luge events anyway i hope they will use a catch fence? It's going to of course draw more fans just to see if this tragedy will happen again.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    norm wrote:

    Thanks Norm

    Everybody's got to deviate from the norm
    Everybody's got to elevate from the norm


    I'm glad they decided to change the course because they couldn't afford the chace of this tragedy to happen again. It would shut down the Olympics.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • pjfan021pjfan021 Posts: 684
    i was pretty shocked that they showed it too...they really didn't need to at all and if that were a member of my family i'd appreciate it if they kept it off the air...seeing a boob during a halftime show is a big deal but showing a man fly to his death is ok?
  • EnkiduEnkidu So Cal Posts: 2,996
    I just posted about this in the other forum - my husband says he thinks NBC will milk it for ratings - talk up the super dangerous track so people will watch luge and bobsled. I thought it was awful last night when they showed the footage at the top of the Olympic coverage.

    And the front page of the LA Times has a big color picture of the guy hitting the post. Disgusting.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD9DRFJK00
    "We assume that those who crash will stay on the track and we don't pay too much attention to the structures outside the track."

    really douchebag? one is supposed to control themselves at 90 miles per hour? :roll:
    Hackl said the decision to have the men begin from the women's start was made "to please those who don't know anything about the sport."

    seriously, you're an idiot
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    Anything for $$$$....I hope it back fires on them
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,915
    norm wrote:
    http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hk9zcEXTuljzTo5YXNv_bha7vQsAD9DRFJK00
    "We assume that those who crash will stay on the track and we don't pay too much attention to the structures outside the track."

    really douchebag? one is supposed to control themselves at 90 miles per hour? :roll:
    Hackl said the decision to have the men begin from the women's start was made "to please those who don't know anything about the sport."

    seriously, you're an idiot

    In all fairness, I did see one of the better luge atheles saying starting from the womens start made the track boring and simple after his practice runs. The commentators did mention that it is never the top lugers they are worried about but the bottom 6 that are up and coming like this kid and do not have as much experience. But to that point as well, one of the best lugers in the world crashed as well earlier yesterday.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    Cliffy6745 wrote:
    norm wrote:
    http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hk9zcEXTuljzTo5YXNv_bha7vQsAD9DRFJK00
    "We assume that those who crash will stay on the track and we don't pay too much attention to the structures outside the track."

    really douchebag? one is supposed to control themselves at 90 miles per hour? :roll:
    Hackl said the decision to have the men begin from the women's start was made "to please those who don't know anything about the sport."

    seriously, you're an idiot

    In all fairness, I did see one of the better luge atheles saying starting from the womens start made the track boring and simple after his practice runs. The commentators did mention that it is never the top lugers they are worried about but the bottom 6 that are up and coming like this kid and do not have as much experience. But to that point as well, one of the best lugers in the world crashed as well earlier yesterday.


    yeah i've heard that too...i guess my question is, boring to who? the racer? or the fan? because as a fan it seems pretty exciting as it is...a guy on lying on a sled going 85 miles per hour is pretty exciting if you ask me

    and if the inexperienced lugers don't have enough experience to ride this course, what's the point of them being there? crash test dummies? we've seen how that turns out
  • FiveB247xFiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    I'm gonna disagree with most on this topic, but please hear me out before you rush to judgment.

    I look at topics like these as a reflection of society. We live in a violent society, everywhere in tv, music, movies and similar we see violence in one form or another, and we've become in many ways numb to it. Except in one main way - we attempt to shield society from the actual pain or recognition of violence (even in accidents like these). Our entertainment is filled with talks or sights of murder, profanity and violence in a false reality yet rarely do we ever think about the actual reality of these occurrences. We are a pro-war nation, yet can't bare to see the results of such on the tv (for any participants). We are shielded to minimize the realistic results and emotions any normal person would have for such things. So at the end of the day, should some luge accident or other graphic result of violence be shown on tv - I don't think so. But with that stated, it shouldn't be because we're attempting to alter people's state of mind or reality, it should be because people shouldn't want to see it...as a result of our recognition that it's someone's child, family member or similar dying. But in our society they do want to see it - you know why? Because we're numb to it, cause it doesn't seem real.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,915
    norm wrote:

    yeah i've heard that too...i guess my question is, boring to who? the racer? or the fan? because as a fan it seems pretty exciting as it is...a guy on lying on a sled going 85 miles per hour is pretty exciting if you ask me

    and if the inexperienced lugers don't have enough experience to ride this course, what's the point of them being there? crash test dummies? we've seen how that turns out


    I think he meant it ws boring for the lugers, I don't think fans will be able to tell the difference but the lugers I am sure can.

    I agree, I defniitely don't understand why an experienced luger would be at the Olympics, or even less experienced enough to cause concern for the commentators
  • FiveB247x wrote:
    I'm gonna disagree with most on this topic, but please hear me out before you rush to judgment.

    I look at topics like these as a reflection of society. We live in a violent society, everywhere in tv, music, movies and similar we see violence in one form or another, and we've become in many ways numb to it. Except in one main way - we attempt to shield society from the actual pain or recognition of violence (even in accidents like these). Our entertainment is filled with talks or sights of murder, profanity and violence in a false reality yet rarely do we ever think about the actual reality of these occurrences. We are a pro-war nation, yet can't bare to see the results of such on the tv (for any participants). We are shielded to minimize the realistic results and emotions any normal person would have for such things. So at the end of the day, should some luge accident or other graphic result of violence be shown on tv - I don't think so. But with that stated, it shouldn't be because we're attempting to alter people's state of mind or reality, it should be because people shouldn't want to see it...as a result of our recognition that it's someone's child, family member or similar dying. But in our society they do want to see it - you know why? Because we're numb to it, cause it doesn't seem real.

    the problem with your theory is that it assumes that humans as a general rule can't distinguish between reality and fiction. Most of the movie-going/tv-watching populace can. We may be desensitized to fake violence, but not to real tragedy. For example, I have been a fan of wrestling since I was 5, back in 1980. I saw men hitting each other with steel chairs and Mick Foley falling off 30 foot cages onto tables, and it was rare that I thought it was too violent to watch. Why? Because I knew it was a perfomance. Yes, the men/women may have been getting hurt, but they were stunt people. This footage was REAL death, not something on a TV screen where when the take is finished the actor gets up and walks away. See, the average lucid viewer is aware of this fact. They knew that when the Olympics went off the air last night, that this guy wasn't getting up and going back to his family. He was still dead.

    And that's the difference. It should not have been shown on TV.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • FiveB247xFiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    I'm not saying everyone is merely dumb or delusional, but I think the vast majority of people honestly think its second-nature and don't have the natural reaction on their own. A simple example of this turn on the tv and count how many tv shows involve pure violence - murder, crime solving, gangs, etc. As an average tv watcher, you may only view this as a show or a false reality, but if you had some type of related experience you'd draw a very different reaction or reality from these things. I mean, we don't glorify things like rape or rapists in our culture or through entertainment because it is a crime of control. Murder is a crime of violence. So we have entertainment which relate to or the focal points of violence instead. Like I said previously, I don't disagree with you that the news shouldn't be showing these things, but when you set a false sense of perception and reality for a person (their entire life), they do not see the personal, natural cause/effect side of these things. It's no different from little leagues having games that end with no winner/loser (no score is kept). You setup a false sense of reality and when these kids grow up under these constant false realities, they don't see reality for what it is or how it works.
    the problem with your theory is that it assumes that humans as a general rule can't distinguish between reality and fiction. Most of the movie-going/tv-watching populace can. We may be desensitized to fake violence, but not to real tragedy. For example, I have been a fan of wrestling since I was 5, back in 1980. I saw men hitting each other with steel chairs and Mick Foley falling off 30 foot cages onto tables, and it was rare that I thought it was too violent to watch. Why? Because I knew it was a perfomance. Yes, the men/women may have been getting hurt, but they were stunt people. This footage was REAL death, not something on a TV screen where when the take is finished the actor gets up and walks away. See, the average lucid viewer is aware of this fact. They knew that when the Olympics went off the air last night, that this guy wasn't getting up and going back to his family. He was still dead.

    And that's the difference. It should not have been shown on TV.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,915
    They are still going around 90mph after they cut about 2 football fields off the length of the track, can't imagine how fast they would be going if they were started from the mens start.
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    Cliffy6745 wrote:
    They are still going around 90mph after they cut about 2 football fields off the length of the track, can't imagine how fast they would be going if they were started from the mens start.

    I'm checking it out too and they're hitting speeds of 90 mph, give me a tobaggon coarse or hockey anytime. That sport is crazy. :o

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,915
    g under p wrote:
    Cliffy6745 wrote:
    They are still going around 90mph after they cut about 2 football fields off the length of the track, can't imagine how fast they would be going if they were started from the mens start.

    I'm checking it out too and they're hitting speeds of 90 mph, give me a tobaggon coarse or hockey anytime. That sport is crazy. :o

    Peace

    Insane, 90mph, 6 inches off the ground, rock hard ice and a 50 pound sled, absolutely insane.
  • dasvidanadasvidana Grand Junction CO Posts: 1,349
    I feel so sorry for this man's family. Having to deal with the unexpected death of a loved one is painful enough. Then add in the world wide attention plus the video being all over the internet.....ugh.
    It's nice to be nice to the nice.
  • I dont see the big deal with showing it. Sure its sad to see someone die but without seeing or facing death how can we come to sympathize with other humans. We see necks in the woods shooting at deer every morning on some channel. There plenty of 'caught on tape' type shows on tv all the time showing death. Its a natural part of life and in fact is the only one true thing we know about our existence... we will die. I dont think seeing it is a bad thing. It should make you think about life and there after. Something we shouldnt be numb to.
  • I dont see the big deal with showing it. Sure its sad to see someone die but without seeing or facing death how can we come to sympathize with other humans. We see necks in the woods shooting at deer every morning on some channel. There plenty of 'caught on tape' type shows on tv all the time showing death. Its a natural part of life and in fact is the only one true thing we know about our existence... we will die. I dont think seeing it is a bad thing. It should make you think about life and there after. Something we shouldnt be numb to.

    I'm CERTAIN you'd feel different if it was a family member of yours. If you don't, then, sorry, but I believe there is something wrong with you.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,915
    I dont see the big deal with showing it. Sure its sad to see someone die but without seeing or facing death how can we come to sympathize with other humans. We see necks in the woods shooting at deer every morning on some channel. There plenty of 'caught on tape' type shows on tv all the time showing death. Its a natural part of life and in fact is the only one true thing we know about our existence... we will die. I dont think seeing it is a bad thing. It should make you think about life and there after. Something we shouldnt be numb to.

    I'm CERTAIN you'd feel different if it was a family member of yours. If you don't, then, sorry, but I believe there is something wrong with you.

    I am also certain that this guys family was not watching the NBC broadcast of the opening ceremonies from Georgia. Not that it makes much of a difference, just sayin.
  • FiveB247xFiveB247x Posts: 2,330
    I don't think it's yours or anyone else's responsibility to police what people should think, feel or believe. If we want to be treated like adults and responsible members of society that have and show respect for common ideals that benefit all, we all have to do our part. Simply telling someone what they should be, feel or think doesn't accomplish this fact. Censorship and blindfolding people from hardship, cause/effect issues and similar does not accomplish - if anything, the exposure of these things does cause awareness, thought provoking conversation and people to think thus altering actions.
    I'm CERTAIN you'd feel different if it was a family member of yours. If you don't, then, sorry, but I believe there is something wrong with you.
    CONservative governMENt

    Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
  • JD SalJD Sal Posts: 790
    I dont see the big deal with showing it. Sure its sad to see someone die but without seeing or facing death how can we come to sympathize with other humans. We see necks in the woods shooting at deer every morning on some channel. There plenty of 'caught on tape' type shows on tv all the time showing death. Its a natural part of life and in fact is the only one true thing we know about our existence... we will die. I dont think seeing it is a bad thing. It should make you think about life and there after. Something we shouldnt be numb to.

    I strongly disagree with you. Human beings don't need to actually see a person die in order to sympathize...simply hearing about someone's death should be enough to make one think about life and there after.

    Hell, nothing makes me angrier than hearing about a kid being abused, but I don't need to see a child being beaten or molested on TV in order to properly relate or sympathize. And taking a dump is a natural part of life too, however we don't need to see someone moving their bowels on TV. How about sex? Sure is natural, but you can't watch that uncensored on CBS, now can you? I agree that death isn't something we should be numb to, although showing a clip of some tragic luge accident several times on TV only adds to the numbness in my opinion.
    "If no one sees you, you're not here at all"
  • FiveB247x wrote:
    I don't think it's yours or anyone else's responsibility to police what people should think, feel or believe. If we want to be treated like adults and responsible members of society that have and show respect for common ideals that benefit all, we all have to do our part. Simply telling someone what they should be, feel or think doesn't accomplish this fact. Censorship and blindfolding people from hardship, cause/effect issues and similar does not accomplish - if anything, the exposure of these things does cause awareness, thought provoking conversation and people to think thus altering actions.
    I'm CERTAIN you'd feel different if it was a family member of yours. If you don't, then, sorry, but I believe there is something wrong with you.

    I have an opinion, buddy. It is my opinion that if someone's child died, and they had no problem having that death being shown on tv, then I think they might have something wrong with them. You are being a hypocrite if you are telling me that my opinion is not valid because it disagrees with someone else's. The point was obviously missed, but I was trying to say that if someone feels this way, it has to be across the board, if you are ok with anyone's death being on tv, you'd have to hold that same position even if it was one of your loved ones, which I highly doubt he would.

    It causes no more awareness than it being reported without video. Here's something for you: my friend was out bowling with her kids and a whole bunch of kids, and it came on the tv and all these 10 year olds saw it and were horrified. Tell me: was THAT approptiate and responsible for the news to show knowing KIDS would potentially see it?
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Fact is that person chose to put his life at risk on national television. If it was my family member I would know the risk involved and expect it to be shown knowing the news media's tendencies. Would you feel the same way about a bull rider, or a base jumper or Dale Earnhardts death being played over and over? I've heard people across the bored say the idiot shouldn't have been on that bull or going that fast in a car. The video wasn't that bad anyway I've seen much worse injuries in football and other tv shows. Matter of fact I've seen more sickening injuries on a show on MTV which targets kids.
  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    Personally I think it should be shown. People need to see reality. Not fake reality like "Jersey Shore" and that BS.

    For example you buy a pack of cigarettes in the US and it comes with a cute Camel on it and a coupon for free smokeless tobacco.

    You buy a pack of smokes in Canada and there is a picture of a Black Lung on the back with disclaimers telling you why you shouldn't smoke.

    People need to be exposed to everything.
    NERDS!
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