Eaten By a Polar Bear

gynn · 06-08-2011, 02:03

I'm sure that the mauling of a teenage student by a Polar Bear oin an island north of Norway was a tragic loss for the family, and our sincere condolences go out to all concerned.

One thing strikes me. The student in question was blessed with the Christian name Horatio, was attending Eton College, and was on a trip paid for by his wealthy parents, and it was the the sort of trip that most teenagers could only ever dream about.

Does his death deserve the same outpouring of public grief that would doubtless be forthcoming to a a teenager called Kevin, say, who went to the local comprehensive school and was mauled to death on a day trip to Chester Zoo?

I don't think it does.

garinda · 06-08-2011, 08:27

There were people from many different schools on the trip.

I don't think this boy's family and friends will find their grief any easier to bear, because he had an unusual name.

It's a sad end to a young life, regardless of what background he came from.

jaysay · 06-08-2011, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

I'm sure that the mauling of a teenage student by a Polar Bear oin an island north of Norway was a tragic loss for the family, and our sincere condolences go out to all concerned.

One thing strikes me. The student in question was blessed with the Christian name Horatio, was attending Eton College, and was on a trip paid for by his wealthy parents, and it was the the sort of trip that most teenagers could only ever dream about.

Does his death deserve the same outpouring of public grief that would doubtless be forthcoming to a a teenager called Kevin, say, who went to the local comprehensive school and was mauled to death on a day trip to Chester Zoo?

I don't think it does.

I think thats a crass thing to say at the very least

Neil · 06-08-2011, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I don't think this boy's family and friends will find their grief any easier to bear.....

That comment was not funny

cashman · 06-08-2011, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

That comment was not funny

Doubt if it was meant to be, i hadn't noticed until you pointed it out.

odders · 06-08-2011, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

Does his death deserve the same outpouring of public grief that would doubtless be forthcoming to a a teenager called Kevin, say, who went to the local comprehensive school and was mauled to death on a day trip to Chester Zoo?

I don't think it does.

I would think it would get as much press coverage. It is not everyday you get a story of this magnitude, maybe they do in Norway, but these bears do live there

. The UK press are only following upon a tragic case of a UK citizen.

garinda · 06-08-2011, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

That comment was not funny

It wasn't meant to be.

jaysay · 06-08-2011, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

It wasn't meant to be.

I didn't think it was either G

WillowTheWhisp · 06-08-2011, 11:26

It's terrible tragedy. What does it matter how rich the parents are or how much they paid for the trip? What does it matter what the boy was called or which school he went to? The news reports would be the same for the death of any child on any school trip and the grief of the parents would be just as terrible.

Michael1954 · 06-08-2011, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

I'm sure that the mauling of a teenage student by a Polar Bear oin an island north of Norway was a tragic loss for the family, and our sincere condolences go out to all concerned.

One thing strikes me. The student in question was blessed with the Christian name Horatio, was attending Eton College, and was on a trip paid for by his wealthy parents, and it was the the sort of trip that most teenagers could only ever dream about.

Does his death deserve the same outpouring of public grief that would doubtless be forthcoming to a a teenager called Kevin, say, who went to the local comprehensive school and was mauled to death on a day trip to Chester Zoo?

I don't think it does.

One minute you are offering sincere condolences and in the next you are questioning whether his death merits the same level of grief compared with someone from a different background. Sincere? Pull the other one, Gynn.

gynn · 06-08-2011, 13:56

I wrote the original post at 3.03 this morning after a night out on the John Smiths. On reflection, and in the cold light of day, my comments were insensitive and unfair.

My apologies.

Neil · 06-08-2011, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

It wasn't meant to be.

Your losing your touch then, I thought it was one of your old school type posts.

garinda · 06-08-2011, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Your losing your touch then, I thought it was one of your old school type posts.

I wouldn't remark on someone's insensitivity, about the death of a child, and then make some jokey innuendo.

Perhaps you're losing your touch, reading me.

Besides I'd only just woken up, and I'd be incapable of such nasty subtlety until I'd had at least two cups of coffee.

Eric · 06-08-2011, 20:58

Just read an article in the "Guardian", and they too use the phrase "bearing up well" when they refer to the survivors. Seems like the bear was on the small side, probably just a youngster. The question of why they were messing around in Polar Bear country without making better provision for bear attacks is beyond me. You don't mess around with Polar Bears. They are very dangerous animals. Fully grown, they can be 3x as big as the one that killed the kid. I've seen quite a few full grown specimens and they are intimidating.

By the way, as some of you historically inclined members may be aware, another Horatio, Horation Nelson, was supposedly chased by a Polar Bear. This occured on an expedition to find the NWP, sometime in the early 1770s I believe. He was serving on HMS Carcass at the time. I think I'll go to Google and see if my memory is serving me right.

steeljack · 06-08-2011, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

Does his death deserve the same outpouring of public grief that would doubtless be forthcoming to a a teenager called Kevin, say, who went to the local comprehensive school and was mauled to death on a day trip to Chester Zoo?

I don't think it does.

the comments in this post are nothing more than inverted snobbery and petty jealousy , in all probability if little Kevin had managed to get mauled to death it would probably have been his own fault for not being able to read/comprehend the signs saying do not tease the animals , but not to worry Kevin's nearest and dearest will think they have won the lottery when the compensation payout arrives