Should the moment of death be shown on TV?
Should the moment of death be shown on TV?
Author
Discussion

rhinochopig

Original Poster:

17,932 posts

227 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
The programme being shown tonight on Sky showing the assisted death. What are your views on it - the worst case of voyeurism or essential in creating a proper debate on the matter?

Personally, I'm all for assisted death and I think the government needs to grasp this nettle and have a proper debate on the subject. If such a programme creates this debate then so be it.


Eddh

4,656 posts

221 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
I don't see why it is been broadcast, I also don't see why anyone would want to watch it.

Neil_H

15,418 posts

280 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
If the person in question agrees to it, I can't see the problem myself.

dundarach

6,226 posts

257 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
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I guess each to their own - it was his choice, both the death and the television.

I find it interesting, however will not be watching.

I think the faces of death DVD are worse in my opinion, at least this chap was consulted upon.


Davey111

732 posts

215 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
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I'm really struggling to decide how I feel on the matter. I think it depends how the whole programme is done. It is definately a topic that needs to be brought to debate, if for no other reason than to create a policy that is clear for those suffering and their loved ones. Personally I don't think people should end their lives but I'm sure I would change my mind if a loved one was suffering and truly wanted it. Will definately be interesting to watch it, I just hope that they show it in a way that allows all involved to keepo their dignity.

JJCW

2,449 posts

215 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Irrelevant question imo.
Everyone's personal choice whether they want to watch it or not.

Although i fully expect some bunch of tts to write in and complain about it, after choosing to watch it, fully knowing what they'd be watching. (Very radio 2 Russel Brand-esque)

FNG

4,747 posts

253 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
TV is rammed full of people dying in fiction, to the extent it can wash over the viewer unless it involves the "hero" of the piece.

I think a little real life could go a long way to make people think a bit more carefully about what death means.

If there's one place this subject is appropriate, it's TV screens IMO.

deviant

4,316 posts

239 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
FNG said:
TV is rammed full of people dying in fiction, to the extent it can wash over the viewer unless it involves the "hero" of the piece.

I think a little real life could go a long way to make people think a bit more carefully about what death means.

If there's one place this subject is appropriate, it's TV screens IMO.
But its the constant viewing of ever more inventive ways of dying through fictional TV that people will watch what is supposed to be a very personal and moving time and they wont 'get' what they are watching.

The show wil end and they will just carry on channel hopping.

Fetchez la vache

5,900 posts

243 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
JJCW said:
Irrelevant question imo.
Everyone's personal choice whether they want to watch it or not.

Although i fully expect some bunch of tts to write in and complain about it, after choosing to watch it, fully knowing what they'd be watching. (Very radio 2 Russel Brand-esque)
Or more like people wont watch it, then they'll read about it afterwards in the tabloids, then read the transcript, THEN complain about it, causing the poor chap to be exhumed, brough back to life, and then sacked, who will then go on holiday to the US and do the same thing for far more money.

Landlord

12,689 posts

286 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Eddh said:
I don't see why it is been broadcast, I also don't see why anyone would want to watch it.
Tissues:check. Lubricant:check Curtains closed:check Zip:undone... here we go...

merc_man

1,926 posts

231 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Given the press recently about this matter I think it's important that people should, if they choose, be able to see exactly what happens when a person chooses to end their life in this way. It'll help de-mystify the whole process and hopefully blow a few myths about the whole Dignitas thing that seem to crop up in the gutter press from time to time.

Perhaps the unwillingless to confront death is the reason so many people get screwed up when someone close to them passes away. Anything that might benefit those so afflicted is surely a good thing.

I'm firmly of the opinion that everyone has the right to choose when they wish to end it all and surely this way out is better than an unassisted suicide. I would personally hate to get to the point where I felt a prisoner in my own body or knew that I would end up a dribbling wreck barely aware of what was going on around me.

In any event, no one has to watch if they don't want to.

rhinochopig

Original Poster:

17,932 posts

227 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Landlord said:
Eddh said:
I don't see why it is been broadcast, I also don't see why anyone would want to watch it.
Tissues:check. Lubricant:check Curtains closed:check Zip:undone... here we go...
You are one sick puppy, but rofl

JJCW

2,449 posts

215 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Fetchez la vache said:
JJCW said:
Irrelevant question imo.
Everyone's personal choice whether they want to watch it or not.

Although i fully expect some bunch of tts to write in and complain about it, after choosing to watch it, fully knowing what they'd be watching. (Very radio 2 Russel Brand-esque)
Or more like people wont watch it, then they'll read about it afterwards in the tabloids, then read the transcript, THEN complain about it, causing the poor chap to be exhumed, brough back to life, and then sacked, who will then go on holiday to the US and do the same thing for far more money.
yes

FNG

4,747 posts

253 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
deviant said:
FNG said:
TV is rammed full of people dying in fiction, to the extent it can wash over the viewer unless it involves the "hero" of the piece.

I think a little real life could go a long way to make people think a bit more carefully about what death means.

If there's one place this subject is appropriate, it's TV screens IMO.
But its the constant viewing of ever more inventive ways of dying through fictional TV that people will watch what is supposed to be a very personal and moving time and they wont 'get' what they are watching.

The show wil end and they will just carry on channel hopping.
I'm thinking more of trying to open peoples' eyes to the realities of life and death... probably utterly pointless I agree.

NDA

25,615 posts

254 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all

The additional PR created will ensure a more ghoulish audience. It might also (I hope) convince some that assisted dying has it's place in society.

Like many here, I have watched a parent die and wished death could have come sooner.

On balance I don't think it should be shown, it's an intensely private and terribly sad moment - but we live in an dumb down age where we HAVE to see everything or we won't understand.

scorp

8,783 posts

258 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Fetchez la vache said:
Or more like people wont watch it, then they'll read about it afterwards in the tabloids, then read the transcript, THEN complain about it, causing the poor chap to be exhumed, brough back to life, and then sacked, who will then go on holiday to the US and do the same thing for far more money.
hehe
So much cynicism in such a short post, excellent biggrin

Think I agree with a number of posters here, if it offends you, don't watch it, we don't need nanny telling us what thoughts are "suitable" and what aren't. Showing someone passing away peacefully after suffering through the later part of their life has at least some merit, i don't think it's gratuitous, i am presuming this was done with the persons consent.

Seems to me this country is slipping back into it's witch hunting days, i wish people would STFU complaining about pointless things.


Edited by scorp on Wednesday 10th December 12:23

theboyfold

11,469 posts

255 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
merc_man said:
Given the press recently about this matter I think it's important that people should, if they choose, be able to see exactly what happens when a person chooses to end their life in this way. It'll help de-mystify the whole process and hopefully blow a few myths about the whole Dignitas thing that seem to crop up in the gutter press from time to time.

Perhaps the unwillingless to confront death is the reason so many people get screwed up when someone close to them passes away. Anything that might benefit those so afflicted is surely a good thing.

I'm firmly of the opinion that everyone has the right to choose when they wish to end it all and surely this way out is better than an unassisted suicide. I would personally hate to get to the point where I felt a prisoner in my own body or knew that I would end up a dribbling wreck barely aware of what was going on around me.

In any event, no one has to watch if they don't want to.
I'd agree with the above, death is something that people tend not to want to think about, and when it comes around it causes more issues then they would have ever foreseen.

Sometimes people need 'shocking' images of taboo subjects to wake them up to something we all will one day have to face.

Geronimo

626 posts

221 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
They won't show it.

dundarach

6,226 posts

257 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
Geronimo said:
They won't show it.
they showed most of it this morning on sky news

mechsympathy

58,642 posts

284 months

Wednesday 10th December 2008
quotequote all
theboyfold said:
merc_man said:
Stuff I agree with.
I'd agree with the above, death is something that people tend not to want to think about, and when it comes around it causes more issues then they would have ever foreseen.

Sometimes people need 'shocking' images of taboo subjects to wake them up to something we all will one day have to face.
Absolutely. Hopefully it'll make people consider quality of life, all too often in hospital the family is desperate for everything to be done to prolong someone's life without considering the consequences.