Colin the whale - overreact much?

Question

Why are people so upset over the whale. Other than nudge boats, it did nothing. Humans anthropomorphizing the whale, naming it Colin even though it was a female humpback. If you read the comments carefully it has turned into a rant about governments not listening to activists, specifically the wildlife lobby. Tears are shed, how many babies will be named Colin after this? Why has Sydney become so stupid with emotion?

Answer 1

Good to see a few intelligent voices in this issue. Out of sight, out of mind.

Answer 2

from a psychological perspective, being abandoned by one's parents is an issue that would effect many without them realising. people see something natural (the mother leaving its sick baby whale) and think it is sad because they humanise and personalise the situation, identifying with a very common issue.  

Answer 3

I'm surprised that the Japanese don't offer to help out , you know for scientific sushi purposes.

Hey you wouldn't be human if you didn't feel sorry for an abandoned infant left to fend for itself. Empathy is a trait fast been lost in modern society it's a sad reflection on the track  we are heading on.

Answer 4

Yeah it is getting a little ridiculous. Then again we might get a few tourists coming from other parts of the world to see the whales passing through. Tis the season after all, that's probably why it's been blown so far out of proportion.

Gotta love the media!!!!!

Answer 5

Yes, I was annoyed this morning at that news show (the one with Koshy) even though the whale was going to be euthanised as soon as they could catch it, they were still showing footage of it and carrying on with the emotional claptrap.

The media really gets people going with those images and the emotive language - "heartbreaking  story" etc.

Now they are talking about a memorial for Colette (Colin's new female name), how stupid is that?

Answer 6

People are overreacting and going a little to far with this.

Don't get me wrong, its devastating that a whale had to lose its life.

But this happens every day. It is probably happening right now in the middle of the ocean and we don't even know about it. Its just life.

Answer 7

People are upset because they've now put the whale down when it clearly had a lot of strength left. They left it for a week and didn't even TRY to feed it, even though it needs its mother to feed it , they still could have attempted but didnt.

It also put Australia to shame as we are completely against the Japanese and what they do with the whales over there, and here we are , not able to try and help a baby whale , not even attempt.

Sounds stupid, but its awful

Answer 8

It's a such pity the media etc can't put the same effort into helping the cold, neglected and hungry children of our country.

It's heart wrenching to see any animal suffer but we should be looking after all our babies, both animal and human, not just the ones the media find news worthy.