Of course on every news channel yesterday lead into the Olympics in Vancouver with the story about the tragedy surrounding the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the young 21 year old luger who was set to compete at this years Olympics but who had died after a terrible training crash at Whistler just a few hours earlier.
It's not the reporting of the incident that bothers me but the fact that in a day and age where youtube and video uploads exist, there tends to be this "it's alright for us to show it on the television over and over" attitude that is so prevalent. I get that it's news and if they don't report it then they could "gasp" be outdone by a youtuber or the like, but just how far have we come in this day of information overload? How desensitized are we? Yes, in their defense the media outlets do warn us that "the images that we are about to see are a bit much and we might want to turn away..." but that's like asking a kid in a candy store to not look at the candy once he's entered the store. We're human and as such we are curious.
Years ago we would never think about playing such horrible accidents on television even if we had the footage and newspapers didn't put such graphic scenes onto the front page of their newspapers. Forgive me but I just can't accept this SHOCK mentality. If you ask me I feel that such things should be kept out and off the television. If not for common decency how about for the saddened family members who not only have to bury a son but who thanks to the internet and viral uploads, will have to see these shocking images played out for years to come - over and over.
In writing this blog I thought to myself how could I best show to you who Nodar was and of course I could have given you all the most common picture to headline this blog that of which shows him in midair before the accident as can be seen over almost all media outlets, some even headlining with his body actually striking the pole. But instead I choose to lead with a more honest approach. One that shows a young man ready to compete in a most honorable and historical event.
I'm not as naive as to believe that we will ever go back to the times of real journalism that was more about the story and less about shocking people to get ratings but one can dream right? My heart goes out to the family of this young luger who I'm sure would have brought them many years of happiness had his life not been cut short - gone to soon.
