Comments on: Celebrity death match: Steve Irwin vs. Germaine Greer

By: Tom Pittman

Tom Pittman — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 22:16:43 +0000

Thank you for your comments, wombatuk, but the whole point is NOT the hype. YOUR point may be the hype, but that is in no way, shape or form the point of my blog.

THE point is that it is that it is foolish and insensitive to needlessly offend people, and a person allegedly gifted with extraordinary intellect should especially should know better.

As I wrote before, I’m not a Steve Irwin fan. I am not defending him in the least; I feel the real tragedy is a young family lost its dad. And I cannot comprehend someone writing that they “truly believe Steve Irwin got what he deserved.” I hope you don’t really mean that.

How can we watch the horror these Islamic extremists inflict on the civilized world and think the world needs more haters?

By: wombatuk

wombatuk — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 04:28:02 +0000

errgh the whole point is the hype, Germaine Greer is by no account “stupid” and most people wouldn’t last 2 seconds in the intellectual ring against her. You don’t have to agree with what she said, but then again to use the argument
that it is insensitive at this time is way missing the point. If a person chooses to live in the public arena of opinion they die in the ring of public opinion. Just because she has publicly called him an idiot does not make her one. She is not and has never been a crumpet eating elitist and in fact has constantly written against any sort of inherited position you seem to imply she is part of. I for one truly believe Steve Irwin got what he deserved, and I don’t believe in harrassing animals for human enjoyment. Why do we cry when we see a cuddly bear being forced to dance, but laugh with “educational joy” when we see an ancient predator couped up in a cage being forced to perform 3 times a day?

By: Cat

Cat — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 01:41:50 +0000

Honestly I don’t think she really cares whether her comments are headlines or not – I’m sure she has bigger fish to fry (oh, brief history here – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germaine_Greer )
She did actually say that the death of any 44 year old man with a young family is sad. Her comments, which were more aimed at how ridiculous media hype (and public response, which is totally way out of proportion) was surrounding the event, at no point were not thought out. It is actually quite amusing to see her in action in said interview, as the journalist is being sensationalist, and really quite poor (this being the standard for programs such as ACA) and her level of intellect is just so far above his – and he doesn’t realise. If you are interested, the interview is on YouTube (perhaps then you can see if she is inhuman or not, instead of relying on second hand media reports, which you realise love a conflict and making someone the bad guy. This in itself is also rather heartless – so who’s the real bad guy here?)

By: Tom Pittman

Tom Pittman — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 01:06:58 +0000

Thanks for the comments, Cat. I appreciate knowing a little bit more about her.

However, if Germaine Greer is any kind of a significant “thinker” for our times, then it is no wonder our times are so troubled. What kind of a moron slaps grieving people in the face at the peak of their mourning? I don’t care how many initials follow your name or how many books you’ve sold; that’s just dumb.

Germaine Greer is what you get when you educate a mind without educating a heart.

You wrote of “those speaking without thinking and clearly missing the point…” Germaine Greer is their patron saint. Speaking of patron saints, Germaine Greer is probably relieved that Pope Benedict XVI latest comments are the new headlines.

By: Cat

Cat — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 14:43:47 +0000

“If you don’t know who Germaine Greer is, you are by no means alone — I didn’t until I read about her today.”
Ah, clearly, you have no idea about the more important thinkers (yes, thinkers) of recent times. Germaine is famous in her own right for her often controversial publications and academic ventures.

Germaine’s comments were delivered at perhaps an insensitive time (I’m not even sure why her out of all academics, feminists, or otherwise), but are quite correct at pointing out the overall ridiculousness of media hype and mass public excitement over a celebrity; and suggesting that not everyone in the world is a complete moron. Even more hilarious is how ‘outraged’ and OMG!!11!! the public response to her comments are – clearly those speaking without thinking and completely missing the point – and those who jump on that mindless bandwagon.

Having said that, it is valuable to listen to these different opinions regarding something – keep your eyes and ears open and who knows what you’ll learn.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 20:43:37 +0000

“Germaine Greer is a bitter, elitist old lady”

An understatement :\