Using animals in the Olymics opening ceremony
Discussion
I like Danny Boyle's films. I think he's clever.
However I think he's got this one badly wrong and I don't like it one jot. All the talented British artists out there in the UK, could easily create something amazing and representative without real live animals.
http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2012/06/2080#.T...
However I think he's got this one badly wrong and I don't like it one jot. All the talented British artists out there in the UK, could easily create something amazing and representative without real live animals.
http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2012/06/2080#.T...
If you read the article, it tells you what animals there. It is supported by a number of welfare organisations in the UK.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jun/22/danny-...
Personally, I don't find using animals in shows or performances very pleasant. Or for the purposes of winning money, be it ciruses, racing or performances of any kind. I find it disrespectful, vulgar and arrogant.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jun/22/danny-...
Personally, I don't find using animals in shows or performances very pleasant. Or for the purposes of winning money, be it ciruses, racing or performances of any kind. I find it disrespectful, vulgar and arrogant.
Hmm.
I'm not sure where I stand on this. I think it's a bit of a stupid idea, and would like to see exactly how welfare objectives will be met, and the whole thing sounds unbearably cheesy, but there is a whiff of the animal rights groups involved courting controversy for publicity. The stuff about showing a free range rural idyl being unrepresentative of factory farming is a bit of a stretch.
I'm not sure where I stand on this. I think it's a bit of a stupid idea, and would like to see exactly how welfare objectives will be met, and the whole thing sounds unbearably cheesy, but there is a whiff of the animal rights groups involved courting controversy for publicity. The stuff about showing a free range rural idyl being unrepresentative of factory farming is a bit of a stretch.
that's why I referred to the Warhorse models, wasn't really thinking panto horse I think the concept is tacky but I think it's being overplayed by people with a personal agenda and no experience of the animals concerned. For example Police horses are comfortable in the middle of a riot if trained to do so. I can ride my very noisy old ride on mower past the chickens and they just look up and then carry on as they were. The sheep are a menace because as soon as they see me approach on same noisy mower they come and nose around. I've no experience of ducks or cows but my next door neighbour has geese which are totally unafraid of anything however big or noisy. The RSPCA have too much to lose by being involved in anything that causes animals to be distressed.
ETA: Just to clarify, I wasn't referring to you Bex, just a lot of the activists.
ETA: Just to clarify, I wasn't referring to you Bex, just a lot of the activists.
Edited by UnderTheRadar on Saturday 23 June 04:20
otolith said:
What is he planning?
to light the olympic flame a child will carry the torch, a giraffe will lower it's head, and using a specially created 'head saddle' the child will mount the giraffe. the giraffe will then ascend the steps towards the towering olympic cauldron, and at the top it will extend its neck so that the child can light the flame.it's gonna be awesome.
bexVN said:
It would be ok if you were referring to me, we all have opinions 
but the games is really about people (and horses!) so I think using people to portray animals makes far more sense and would look more arty etc
I agree and it's quite different from farm animals to police horses who are trained for years to ignore noise and chaos. I think it's wholly inappropriate and quite sad that we still see animals as tools for our orchestrated entertainment and then we try to justify this by saying it's OK because..... but the games is really about people (and horses!) so I think using people to portray animals makes far more sense and would look more arty etcOh, and I am not an activist, I'm not a yoghurt knitter, I just happen to care passionately about animals (and also people) whose voice is limited or unheard.
I don't think farm animals represent a sporting event. I don't think animals and fireworks/huge noisy ceremonies mix and I fundamentally don't agree in using animals in this way when we have more 'intelligence' and resources at our disposal.
One of the organisations in the coalition of opposition against this event is CIWF. They lead on efforts to improve the lives of and end the suffering of animals used in farming both in the UK and EU. For exampLe pigs who are kept their entire lives in a sow box (unable to turn around, or move freely). They don't try to stop people farming or eating meat - just show care and compassion for animals we are charged with. I think it is a shame that organisations like this and others, will have their message undermined by the inappropriate use of animals on this world stage event.
parakitaMol. said:
bexVN said:
It would be ok if you were referring to me, we all have opinions but the games is really about people (and horses!) so I think using people to portray animals makes far more sense and would look more arty etc
I agree and it's quite different from farm animals to police horses who are trained for years to ignore noise and chaos. I think it's wholly inappropriate and quite sad that we still see animals as tools for our orchestrated entertainment and then we try to justify this by saying it's OK because..... but the games is really about people (and horses!) so I think using people to portray animals makes far more sense and would look more arty etcOh, and I am not an activist, I'm not a yoghurt knitter, I just happen to care passionately about animals (and also people) whose voice is limited or unheard.
I don't think farm animals represent a sporting event. I don't think animals and fireworks/huge noisy ceremonies mix and I fundamentally don't agree in using animals in this way when we have more 'intelligence' and resources at our disposal.
One of the organisations in the coalition of opposition against this event is CIWF. They lead on efforts to improve the lives of and end the suffering of animals used in farming both in the UK and EU. For exampLe pigs who are kept their entire lives in a sow box (unable to turn around, or move freely). They don't try to stop people farming or eating meat - just show care and compassion for animals we are charged with. I think it is a shame that organisations like this and others, will have their message undermined by the inappropriate use of animals on this world stage event.
Use Psychology said:
to light the olympic flame a child will carry the torch,
I heard that they are actually going to set the child on fire, and train the giraffe to thence carry the burning child over to light the torch?? 
Sounds okay to me, as long as the giraffe isn't hurt or confused, or upset, or becomes teary eyed at all.
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