Am I missing something in the Britt Lapthorne story? Any child’s death is undoubtedly an appalling tragedy for the parents involved …. but candlelit vigils? Public memorial services? Weeks of breathless coverage in the Australian media? Why no state funeral? It’s absurd. It speaks of something grisly and voyeuristic I reckon. Some empty place in the public soul that is filled by events like these. A vacuum sensed by the mass media. It’s like grieving for a TV character. Or a dead princess. The other obvious strand to it is the automatic reflex of the popular media to revel in victimhood, and sense some inevitable conspiracy of uncaring authorities. I don’t know it just feels weird to me. I feel for the Lapthornes … what a hideous situation. But I don’t see why we are so suddenly and overwhelmingly either grief struck or obsessed by this one sad death.
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11 Comments
I’m with you – yes, I feel sorry for them but all I see (which is admittedly all the media has) is a portrait of a pisspot. I just don’t get the amount of coverage.
Ah Ha Jonathan! I don’t wish to be cynical; but! Yes, it is a tragedy for the parents and other relatives. But you have just articulated what has been in my mind for a while. What indeed is the whole thing really about? Short of having a state funeral for Britt, and elevating her to sainthood it would be v hard to understand all this suffocating coverage by the media. There just has to have been something which the public aren’t aware of. Some people might say it is none of the publics’ business. Then why give the girl such a massive coverage? I suppose it just comes down to how much money was put on the contract sheet. “My daughter’s death for sale to the highest bidder.”
Trivalve. I think you are being a little unfair. How can a person that young be dismissed as a piss-pot?
That said Venise, I dont think for a moment that the family have profited here. The coverage has been universal, which hardly suggests that any deals for exclusivity have been done. That would be unutterable in any event.
Jonathon – u feel for the lapthornes…
Mmmm…
Hideous situation -yes!
You should all remember herein that when something happens to any australian abroad especially – we DO care!
Perhaps you could ALL check out some other FACTS on http://www.mtvexit.org for a reality check…
Britt = A young adventurous traveller who has lost her life whilst exploring the world!
Backpacking the world = almost every young persons dream after high school!
You should be so lucky in your life to love and adore a son or daughter, who HAS returned home safely to your arms after such an adventure, alive….
RIP Britt Lapthorne AND MUCH LOVE to those who have cared, thousands of people around the globe!
xxxxx PS sad to say i was a “green” once upon a time – right now, jonathon green….
kyles – not happy
Spot on Jonathan and I agree with everything you said. Sad – sure but why all this?
Trish Crossin did the right thing shutting down the Senate hearing into this as well, Brandis and Fielding should be ashamed of themselves
“Pisspot” was that really necessary Trivalve?
Chapelle Corby take 2.
In this instance the medias coverage of the Britt Lapthorne tragedy has given us all an opportunity to stop and think about others – I know many other people go missing – maybe the media should cover them all – maybe its good for us all to get involved at some level. Maybe it helps the family of the victim when the grief is shared – forget your cynicism for a while and just look at what has happened. I’m deeply saddened by this event and the loss of this young life, im sad for the family and friends.
Definite case of MWWS – Missing White Woman Sydndrome
Horrible when anyone goes missing, and sorry for her parents, but really, just another spoilt rich white trash drunk Australian who no one really likes. Australians abroad are not liked. Europeans don’t like vulgar “I’m so larrickan dude” “aussies”. Beyond “what a horrendous thing to happen”, I don’t care, one less bland pissed “aussie”bimbo on the planet.
This is not over yet… as you probably know, a witchunt has started… Ross Coulthart rides a sensationalist horse here – I would’ve thought he is smarter than this. All those awards … one might think they were given for some kind of quality… hmmm…. Something stinks here, we just need to wait and see what that is…