New York, 1:02 AM
Thu Dec 10
57 posts in the last 24 hours
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Gawker 
10/19/09
10/19/09
It saddens me that the three children in that family have no one to step in and protect them from the glare of the media that his parents have invited in.
And it saddens me that so many people think that being famous is the answer to whatever needs they have when it should be intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer upon initial inspection that fame is, to use the tired old phrase, a two-edged sword.
I don't watch much TV any more and less and less reality TV. I learn about most of it from reading the web. I am beginning to think, though, that maybe there should be some consideration in the laws of broadcast TV that the use of children in so-called reality shows be curtailed or eliminated. It's one thing if you as an adult choose to do crazy things for fame, it's another to use your kids.
The one lesson that people who seek to become famous through reality TV that they never seem to learn is that once you start opening your life to scrutiny, the scrutiny doesn't stop when you want it to.
Gosselins, I'm talking to you, too! #boyintheballoon
10/19/09
You could almost read Octomom, Gosselins, and The Heinous Heenes, as 3 acts in a morality play.
A lot of focus, lately, on the family:
[en.wikipedia.org] #boyintheballoon
10/19/09
10/18/09
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/Simpsons
10/18/09
Look at that photo, will you? He is a father who has neglected to provide STAIRS out of his home for his family, which includes three young children. He has not provided an adequate FOUNDATION. He has provided opportunities for his kids to fall and break their necks. That's all I need to know. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
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10/19/09
Hey, I type "foundation" in all caps sometimes too!
Construction contractor (as he's been described in a few places) that neglects to build stairs? This reality show has to be scripted. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
The fact that the local can instantly become the international doesn't negate the pathos of such events, and it isn't voyeuristic to watch and worry over a situation like that -- it's human.
Watching reality shows of the Jon & Kate ilk is voyeuristic (competition reality shows like Project Runway, etc., not so much -- those aren't even remotely "real life" and everyone's in on the setup and invested in the prize/outcome), but when this balloon boy stuff all started, no one even knew these people were reality show vets.
Seriously, what is with "news" people? It's like the Five Stages of Media Circus are Hype, Doubt, Blame, Self-Flagellate, Repeat.
It's embarrassing. Just stop it. Either man up and accept the sometimes uncomfortable truths following a story uncovers or get another job. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
10/18/09
I'm sure for some there was titilation; the idea that a child might plummet to his death on national television might excited some bizarro macabre subset of Americans who feel no moral superiority and relish in the morbid. But I think most people care about children, and most people who watched this felt for the child, nothing more, nothing less. I'm surprised there is a media analysis of this, and I don't like the idea that "if it wasn't us, it would've been someone else." That's a bizarre defense, like saying if you didn't kill that person, eventually something would've. If Gawker intends to purchase strange expositing from muscle-bound electromagnetics afficianados, they should own up to that purchase, not haphazardly support it while they duck the rotten fruit being lobbed at them. This was an interesting story. In the beginning, it was a tale of pure 1980's melodrama: a boy in a runaway balloon, and that connected with a lot of people because it reminded us of a time two decades ago when this sort of simple storytelling could evoke such emotions. Then it became a revelation of deceit, and of people's emotions being used for someone's personal gains, another dialogue of the runaway capitalist mentality that defines the American way of life. And now we are at the stage of the proceedings where someone will be punished, and we will all have to reevaluate how we respond to sensationalist stories that have very little if anything to do with our personal lives. But there is nothing for us to feel guitly about (some of the sympathy and kindness shown in the live thread about the runaway balloon was spectacularly human and empathetic in a way I haven't seen on Gawker in some time), and I suppose any guilt being thrown around is really on the part of those who make a profit on these sorts of things.
But really, Foster, Denton, you are in the business of news, and a business makes money. Live with it, and move on. This self-reflection, for once, is totally unneeded. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
I think most people would agree with you that completely freaking out over something like this is a little weird, but empathy for people going through a scary experience is not really the same thing. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
And then to find out it was a hoax for financial gain...that would cause a bit of outrage and sadness. But it's hardly correct to blame me for having a reaction. And it's difficult to blame "the" media either, although if I watched any broadcast news I might feel differently about that.
The source of this is the author of the hoax, nothing more. I don't think he should be crucified, but I also don't think his responsibility in the matter should be shifted around because it got a lot of attention. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
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10/18/09
People have sacrificed their children for fame before Heene. Lindsay Lohan used to be a talented young actress and now she's a pathetic joke because her parents were more interested in being on ET then on taking care of the thing that made them special to being with. And what about Jon and Kate and however many? Jon talks about his 'career' as if he's done anything noteworthy in his life other than donate sperm. We get to hear every ugly detail about their divorce because they each race the other to get to the media first. Meanwhile their meal tickets have to raise themselves. What's going to stay in my mind forever isn't Falcon blurting out his 'father's' secret but the sight of a SIX YEAR OLD CHILD vomiting his guts out while his parents sit transfixed by the camera.
Maybe we'll learn this time. Maybe next time someone tries to launch them on the international stage, we'll all stop and take a second look and see if it's worth it.
10/18/09
10/18/09
What this balloon incident has done is recast human frailty in a such light that, if only for a moment, revealed our ability to empathize with one another. Instead of lecturing us about television why not connect these dots for people so they can direct some of their good will towards greater NSF funding, and more accountability from public office holders? In other words, if we stop reelecting people who wage war, or fail to generate peace, and offer greater support for scientists--the real ones--we aren't all mad--then we can prevent many far more tragic occurrences than the one that supposedly awaited Falcon. With your help we can remove the stigma of "nerd" that engulfs scientists and diplomacy wonks, and make the world slightly a less hostile place in the process. After that, we can discuss ways of lionizing the scientists in the public's eye so that all women will insist on dating men of letters--but can talk about that later.
10/19/09
Holy shit, I think I love you. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
Most conflict is 'manufactured' as it is people who are creating it; whether it is legitimate or fallacious conflict is really the issue. The fact that Heene-ious exploited his children and the goodwill of America is hardly Gawker's (or any other media's) fault. The responsibility to Falcon lies at the feet of his parents.
With blogs and the internet as a prime source for news, a full news cycle lasts about 30 seconds... or however long it takes a reader to refresh their screen, type a new web address, flip a channel, etc.. The starter pistol that was fired was fueled by a voracious desire by media to be first to report and by readers to get the most up to date info on compelling stories.
This was a compelling story from beginning to the sad end. The beginning tugged on our heart strings and the end was a piece of betrayal pie served up by Heene. A story worth of telling. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
Fame-hungry dad makes up a story about his young son being trapped in a moving balloon. The mark of a truly great story is that it provokes a primal response of intense curiosity from the listener/viewer who wants to understand what the hell is going on.
I would be happy to take a strong moral stand and grumble about the State of American Media and hate on What is Happening To Our Culture. But that would be profoundly hypocritical on my part. And yes, the Heene kids are going to get quite emotionally damaged, especially Falcon who is probably scarred for life. But then every great story also has a strong element of tragedy to it. And also yes, these are real humans suffering real pain. But then how many people give a crap about the Darfur genocide? Some victims are just more interesting than others. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
In this, 'The Age of Bullshit', what is the real world value of Truth? #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
Are people going to point fingers at the hypothetical parents and cry "hoax" because of these nitwits? I worry for this hypothetical family, who would be subjected to such judgment and scrutiny on top of having to go through a horrifying experience.
I know realistically there will probably never be another "balloon boy", specifically, but with all the people with kids who have youtube videos, blogs, or any sort of notoriety whatsoever, it's not outside the realm of possibility. Just because someone is eccentric, or has ideas that are outside the realm of what most of us consider "normal", doesn't mean they're automatically this schmuck, or someone like him.
I'm not faulting the media - that's what they do, is cover stories that people are interested in. Instead I fault this insane father who clearly had no one's interests at heart but his own.
I am also fully aware that this "worry" sounds kind of insane, but that's just how I roll ;) #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
I have seen too much coverage that describes the child's words about "doing it for a show" as the defining moment in this debacle when many people repeatedly said that the physics of the thing as reported was impossible and that it was an obvious hoax long before that "moment" but were brushed aside.
Not only is the parent offloading the burden onto the child but so are the police force and the news media. I think this real living breathing child is in grave danger and I call his treatment by first his parents and second the culture at large abusive and deeply disturbing. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
I do worry about the kid, but I was presenting a different perspective as to how this situation can and will affect people in the future. My observation is not just about one kid and one family, but the overall implications of this douchenozzle's actions as to how it affects his family, as well as society at large. #boyintheballoon
10/18/09
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