Zennie 0 #1 May 7, 2001 Well, Frank & I have managed to get in yet another debate. That's alright, it keeps life interesting. I figured we might as well get it out of that thread, because our argument really doesn't belong there.QuoteThat writer probably knows as much about skydiving as most of the people who visit this forum know about journalism - not much! I work with journalists all day every day, and I understand the challenges they face - deadlines, people who aren't forthcoming with information, and a wildly diverse range of subjects they must learn about - sometimes in just a few minutes...So reporters are pressured to get the "story" out often at the expense of the truth -- just as lawyers are pressured win cases at the expense of the truth. Does that make it right?Who's fault is it? Ultimately, it's ourselves for wanting information, any information, NOW -- regardless of its accuracy. Media outfits are just giving us what we want. But it often results in a "ready, fire, aim" syndrome.There's plenty of blame to go around, but it still doesn't make me any more inclined to trust what's reported. If anything, the "deadline pressure" argument makes me less so.I got out of law because I was disgusted with the rationalization that went on in supporting utterly indefensible positions. Reporting something, anything in the name of "deadline pressure" is equally indefensible (as is our lust for information, regardless of its accuracy).------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deleted 0 #2 May 8, 2001 Zennie, good deal startin another thread – I didn’t want to post this there either. Okay, I haven’t jumped in almost two years, but I’ve kept up almost daily with the news in the sport, including the fatalities. I’ve learned a LOT, I can’t stress that enough. And reading about the media’s bullshit interpretation of what happened is just that, bullshit. But they don’t know any better, they do there job, they get whatever info they can in the short period they can and then let it out to the public. My point is, who gives a fuck? Like I said, it’s been almost two years since I’ve been in the air, and it’s killing me. But I still feel like this is MY sport (as well all the other skydivers out there). What do we care what everybody else thinks about it? I’m not trying to be cocky or anything, cause it’s hardly my place, but I really want to know, why do we care about what everybody else thinks so much?Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dirtsucks 0 #3 May 8, 2001 Son of a fuck, I swear I logged in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PalmettoTiger 1 #4 May 8, 2001 QuoteMy point is, who gives a fuck?My problem with the mainstream reporting of skydiving is that non-skydivers take it as gospel truth, and that leads to a lot of the misunderstandings that cause us trouble. I think the lesson here is to always look for the story behind the story in whatever you read, realize that at least 10% of what you read is wrong and another 20% is misleading, and try to be a positive ambassador for skydiving.Blues, squares,PTiger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #5 May 8, 2001 Quotetry to be a positive ambassador for skydivingThis is the real trick. If we could get some folks in the media to come to the DZ and do a jump, I think it would go along way toward clearing up misconceptions about our sport.I've always said most negative opinions can be eliminated with knowledge and understanding. I've thought about suggesting to our DZO to get a radio station van or a local TV crew to come out and do a jump and report on the experience. I think other DZs have done this with very positive results.------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #6 May 8, 2001 QuoteI think other DZs have done this with very positive results. I'm proud to say that I work in the skydivingest newsroom in the country! CHEK-TV has, in the past 2 years, had a whole wack of positive skydiving coverage. I know I've talked about this before, but it was back on the old DZ.com... One of our suppertime news anchors did a tandem, which I turned in to a very informative news story. We've had coverage of a bunch of demo-jumps, including one that won a local movie theatre an international award for "best movie premier of the year" (our guys landed on the roof of the theater on opening night of Mission Impossible 2").Josh, I don't know what part of left field you're coming from, but I certainly want my sport to be respected by the community at large. I DO care what others think. Skydiving is a wonderful sport, and the more people who are encouraged to try it, the better. Negative news coverage only makes the public think we are a bunch of daredevils with a death wish. But I think the opposite is true. Taking part in our sport is living life to the fullest. Man, I am soooo alive when that door opens...A "sport" that needs LESS coverage is WWF wrestling. That clown show is screwing up way too many kids ... wasn't there a kid in the USA who recently killed a little girl by doing a WWF move to her? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
what42 0 #7 May 8, 2001 Quotewasn't there a kid in the USA who recently killed a little girl by doing a WWF move to her? Yes there was. He was 14 when he killed the girl and at the age of 15 he got life in prison. I think this happened in Florida. Apparently it took more than one 'move' to kill her though. It was reported that she had dozens of injureries.Wesley--I want to fly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #8 May 8, 2001 QuoteA "sport" that needs LESS coverage is WWF wrestling. That clown show is screwing up way too many kids ... wasn't there a kid in the USA who recently killed a little girl by doing a WWF move to her?Yep. But wait, it gets better (or worse I suppose). My wife & I were watching Howard Stern last night (yes he gets old after a while, but they were having fun with a polygraph machine last night so we tuned in ) and right after the "Girls Gone Wild" TV promo, they promoted a new video -- "Backyard Wrestling".And it's just what it sounds like. A bunch of rubes jumping off of roofs, trampolines, TV antennas onto guys laying on fold-out tables and filming it. What's the last thing you hear a stupid redneck say?"Hey y'all, watch this."------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellian 0 #9 May 8, 2001 I totally agree about wanting positive coverage for skydiving in the media. I watch programs on Discovery chanel and watch skydivers being called "people willing to lose their lives for one jump" which is totally out of context, tell me, if you knew that within the next 10 jumps you'd die, would you do another? i very very much doubt it.I always take pains to quell anyone talking negatively about skydiving, i feel, even though i have never tasted freefall, i'm still part of the sports' family and that we all have to try and help people understand the real meaning why we jump, to live, not to die. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
