All day today I have been reading reactions to the death of Steve Irwin online and in the papers and have seen a lot of eulogizing on TV. Can we just pause for a minute and take stock of what we're doing here?
I realize that after someone dies, the natural reaction is to eulogize them and feel sorry for their family's loss, but let's face it: no matter how sad it is or how passionate he was about his work, he was one of the most annoying and (sometimes rightly) ridiculed people on the planet. It's not shocking that he went this way, folks. Be honest: how many of you thought when you read the news, "I'm not surprised," or "It finally happened,"?
Yes, he was an incredible force for conservation and environmentalism in his way. Although, one of his only public comments on the issue of trophy hunting for crocs had more to do with the loss of tourism than the protection of the animals in question. We also shouldn't forget that the message he sent on his TV shows was one of conservation, but also of the thrill of seeking the company of dangerous creatures (and you and I both know he's not the same as say, Jack Hanna: filming an animal is one thing, but going up and hugging it is entirely another). A laudable message? I'm not sure.
Yes, he died doing what he loved, and yes, he left behind two children who will grow up without a father. That indeed makes me sad, but what's even more sad to me is that (according to the Australian press, who has been far more than kind about this matter) this trip was an on-a-whim outing to film something for his daughter's upcoming TV show. And according to members of the crew with him, they knew he was out of his element in the water but he wanted to do it anyway.
How will she feel when she realizes that he died trying to do something for her? THAT makes me even more sad, that she'll have to carry that unnecessary burden in addition to living without a father. I feel sad for her for this reason, but also because her father didn't think enough of her to ensure his own safety for her future's sake.
I want to be tenderhearted about this, and I feel for his family and fans. However, as tempted as I may be to overdo my sad feelings on the subject and censor myself, we would all do well to remember that this was not only ironic, but predictable. Very sad, but predictable.
