The Cost of Entertainment

Yesterday, in an event still under investigation, a trainer was killed in an incident at a Sea World amusement park. There is reason to think that an orca, a killer whale, is at fault. This particular whale has been involved in at least two other incidents which also resulted in a death. Yet people still seem to think that regular interaction between humans and huge wild animals a good idea.

Are we arrogant enough to believe that we can tame anything? Is it responsible stewardship to assume that we can always rid any given animal of any and all traits which come natural to it? But perhaps the most important question of all us, why do we feel that we need entertainment from a source so obviously dangerous to someone's well being?

That people will pay and watch begs the question. That other folks are willing to perform in such risky ventures ignores the true threat involved as well. So the fact that no one makes these trainers work with potentially savage beasts cannot be an issue either: the issue is whether such jobs are really the type of jobs which ought to be sought.

Especially when you are dealing with an animal with a deadly history, caution ought to hold a high priority when dealing with these questions. Yet the real shame is that someone had to die before they are even considered. We are a decadent, selfish lot, we Americans.