Cecil the Lion

[Kalliope]

To me, this whole "Cecil" episode represents pretty much everything that is wrong with Internet "social justice". While clearly the killing of this particular lion involved what almost certainly was some illegal behavior on the part of the hired guide, or Palmer, or the both of them. They should be subjected to whatever punishments the law calls for, if found guilty of any crimes. But the collective Internet "freak out", complete with death threats, calls for summary execution of Palmer, celebrities Tweeting out his home address, and making him out to be the personification of evil on this planet gives new meaning to the words "disproportionate response". Add to that the media "pile-on" that saw the case of "Cecil's" death became multi-day front-page fodder for many global newspapers and Internet news outlets and you end up with one heck of an echo chamber.

I think CGP Grey's analysis is right again that "anger" is the largest virus on the Internet:

 

[Planogirl]

I think that many people might be tired of so much of what they see nowadays. This might be something where people can feel like it's safe to speak out and get angry. So much isn't safe nowadays.

I think that those who threaten to kill anyone are going way over the top. I believe that most of that is frustration.

 

[JimmyV]

If you want to tropy hunt, grab your spear and go hunt the animals in their natural habitat. Lure it out with food and then shoot it, some "hunting" that is. Worthless piece of carp

I disagree. Most hunted animals do not have opposable thumbs. So they can't wield spears in return. If you want to "fairly hunt" an animal, strip naked, go to the animal's natural habitat, and fight it with your bare hands and let's see who wins. The moment one introduces a weapon of any kind into the equation, the fight is no longer "fair" or "sporting". It just makes the animal's death slower and of a different sort. The only way to fight an animal "fairly" is to go into the fight with no advantage. After a few "fair" fights between men and grizzly bears, or lions, or rhinos or leopards, or cheetahs, then perhaps this notion of trophy hunting will disappear. If one wants to "engage" an animal using a mechanical advantage, one should use a camera with a short focal length lens. Be brave enough to get close to the animal so that you can get a good picture and then post it for all of your friends to see. Show them how brave you are and how close you were able to get to the beast. But in the end, both "hunter" and animal walk away alive.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wow! Did anyone see this?

Disney Animator Aaron Blais Pays Tribute to Cecil the Lion

http://www.elvisduran.com/articles/...atch-disney-animator-pays-tribute-to-13826232

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

I disagree. Most hunted animals do not have opposable thumbs. So they can't wield spears in return. If you want to "fairly hunt" an animal, strip naked, go to the animal's natural habitat, and fight it with your bare hands and let's see who wins.

I did this once with a 6' alligator, stripped down to my boxers, I was drunk off my ...

Wait a minute, what forum am I on again? Never-mind.

 

[robinb]

Wow! Did anyone see this?

Disney Animator Aaron Blais Pays Tribute to Cecil the Lion

http://www.elvisduran.com/articles/...atch-disney-animator-pays-tribute-to-13826232

Who the hell is chopping onions at this hour?!?

That is amazing.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Who the hell is chopping onions at this hour?!?

Haha, I know, really!