“Maybe there are a lot of snobs in Australia who are embarrassed by Steve Irwin, but I guarantee you, right now there are a lot of feminists the world over who are embarrassed by Germaine Greer. At least I hope so.”
For an alleged intellectual and supposed academic, Germaine Greer isn’t very smart.
If you don’t know who Germaine Greer is, you are by no means alone — I didn’t until I read about her today. Ms. Greer’s claim to fame is as the author of the feminist book, “The Female Eunuch.”
According to CNN, Ms. Greer went on Australian TV’s “A Current Affair” news program, and said that those who mourn “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin’s passing are “idiots,” and she said possibly millions of Australians were embarrassed by him.
“It’s no surprise he came to grief,” she crowed.
When it comes to Steve Irwin, I’m indifferent. I’ve never watched a television show of his and I never saw his movie. I did think he was interesting when he appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I do know that my children and their friends loved to do impersonations of him, and he seemed to have a very charismatic personality. And from what I read, he has done a lot both for animals and for how people think of animals.
I realize the world lost a celebrity of worldwide renown, but to me the loss of a father to a young family is the greater tragedy.
Regardless of how you feel about Steve Irwin though, if a mature human being like Germaine Greer can’t act mature about his passing, she could at least act human!
Maybe there are a lot of snobs in Australia who are embarrassed by Steve Irwin, but I guarantee you, right now there are a lot of feminists the world over who are embarrassed by Germaine Greer. At least I hope so.
By all appearances, Germaine Greer is a bitter, elitist old lady who is as much without heart as she is common sense.
When Germaine Greer’s time comes, she’ll likely go choking on a rogue crumpet at an tea party. And ironically, when that day comes, and I’m sure she’ll hate this, she’s more likely be remembered as the lady who was bitter about Steve Irwin’s fame, than she is to be remembered for any fame she may have otherwise acquired.
Blog801 
“Germaine Greer is a bitter, elitist old lady”
An understatement
Comment by Pamela — Friday, September 8, 2006 @ 8:43 pm |
“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.
Comment by Cat — Saturday, September 16, 2006 @ 2:43 pm |
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.
Comment by Tom Pittman — Sunday, September 17, 2006 @ 1:06 am |
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?)
Comment by Cat — Saturday, September 16, 2006 @ 7:41 pm |
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?
Comment by wombatuk — Thursday, September 21, 2006 @ 10:28 pm |
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?
Comment by Tom Pittman — Monday, September 25, 2006 @ 4:16 pm |