Excellent thoughts. They've provoked two of my own.
1) I think one part of the dynamic in play regarding what we look at as a spectacle and what we don't involves the famous "punching up/punching down" dichotomy. If these were just a bunch of ordinary guys whose home-built sailboat sank in the Atlantic on an ill-fated attempt to score a cheap Caribbean vacation, that would be sad but not spectacular because they're too close to us. Another part is probably morality - we make spectacles out of those we consider our moral inferiors, or at least equals. Hence the longtime popularity of "Cops" and "To Catch a Predator."
2) The tension between empathy and the desire to consume reminds me of nothing more than the cognitive tension that surrounds eating meat.
Dr Robinson, I really enjoy your writing. Just wanted to make one correction. I believe passengers paid $250k not $250 million. The difference in amount is significant though I don’t think it changes your point. One would still need to be very wealthy to pay that much money for something as unnecessary as that trip.
You’re welcome. It was an easy mistake to make. Keep up the good work. Your writing is challenging and insightful in ways that Christians need to be. Your treatment of Josh Butler’s book was so, so good. I read each installment as soon as it was published. Your mind and voice are a gift to the church.
Excellent thoughts. They've provoked two of my own.
1) I think one part of the dynamic in play regarding what we look at as a spectacle and what we don't involves the famous "punching up/punching down" dichotomy. If these were just a bunch of ordinary guys whose home-built sailboat sank in the Atlantic on an ill-fated attempt to score a cheap Caribbean vacation, that would be sad but not spectacular because they're too close to us. Another part is probably morality - we make spectacles out of those we consider our moral inferiors, or at least equals. Hence the longtime popularity of "Cops" and "To Catch a Predator."
2) The tension between empathy and the desire to consume reminds me of nothing more than the cognitive tension that surrounds eating meat.
https://webcomicname.com/image/167017439059
Yes! There is certainly something about the wealth involved that allows for "othering" and the understanding that this is an acceptable spectacle.
Cool insights!
Dr Robinson, I really enjoy your writing. Just wanted to make one correction. I believe passengers paid $250k not $250 million. The difference in amount is significant though I don’t think it changes your point. One would still need to be very wealthy to pay that much money for something as unnecessary as that trip.
Yeah, I edited it. I started writing "quarter million" and then changed it.
In all seriousness - thank you for pointing it out!
You’re welcome. It was an easy mistake to make. Keep up the good work. Your writing is challenging and insightful in ways that Christians need to be. Your treatment of Josh Butler’s book was so, so good. I read each installment as soon as it was published. Your mind and voice are a gift to the church.