Jackass is a fandom, right?
So obviously we all know that Ryan Dunn from "Jackass" was killed in a horrible car crash early yesterday morning. And many family members, friends, and fans are in mourning right now. But then Roger Ebert had to speak up. Needless to say, many are pissed at his insensitivity.

Sadly, I kind of figured something like this was going to happen considering the stunts "Jackass" is known for (and we all remember the "Steve Irwin had it coming" wank), but still... that doesn't excuse Ebert's words at all.

Beware the comments in the MSN article, they are just as bad as Ebert's original tweet.

ETA: I would normally agree with the comments here as well, except that the police haven't actually confirmed that he was drunk. If it turns out that that's what happened, that's one thing. But... I'd rather wait to find out the results before I agree with one side or the other.

ETA 2: Apparently Ebert has apologized to Dunn's family and friends saying he tweeted too soon. From People.com

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sandglass
2011-06-23 06:15 am UTC (link)

I'm sorry, the entire fucking internet doesn't exist to be a cushion to those who are grieving.

Yes, it's not the point of the Internet, but that doesn't give him free reign to say whatever whenever. He too is responsible for his actions, and part of that is being called out when it's appropriate. Which, given his blog post, he recognizes.

Don't get me wrong, if he'd waited until the facts were verified (as he later said he should have) or been a bit kinder (I wouldn't complain about "Friends don't let friends..."), I wouldn't care. But if the point is that the Internet doesn't exist for coddling, then...why shouldn't I call him out on insensitivity?

I realize I'm being overly kind to Dunn--what he did was horrific and unpardonable. But at the same time, the respect for the dead is only partially for their memory, it's also part for the people mourning him. I don't think it's unfair to call for a public figure to err on the side of kindness, especially immediately after someone's death.

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eleutheria
2011-06-23 10:14 am UTC (link)

but that doesn't give him free reign to say whatever whenever

Unless it's in violation of the TOS or the law, yes it does. That's exactly what I'm arguing it does.

Just like you (and the people who didn't like what he said) have a right to criticize him for it.

My thing is there's a difference between saying that, and saying "muzzle yourself if you're going to say something that hurts me" to someone in their own space where you are not intrinsically a part of that space (I'm splitting a hair here, but if you know someone on your flist is going to be hurt by what you're saying, filter that shit, because you've got something of an obligation to them). Ebert is arguing that he didn't intend his statement to offend, he intended it to be true. He thought telling people not to drink and drive was important enough to say no matter what. He has that right. And if he doesn't, that's not an internet I want any part of.

No, it's not to say that I haven't thought "that person should never have said that" and hell, that I haven't said that. It's just... one public figure making another public figure uncomfortable doesn't meet any sniff test I could devise for when you get to police someone else's space.

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ekaterinv
2011-06-24 12:27 am UTC (link)

Telling the truth about why a drunk, speeding driver killed himself and someone else is not something that I consider "insensitive". I would be PISSED OFF if anyone tried to pat me on the head and "poor dear, let's not talk about the alcohol problem" after the alcoholic in my family died. Ebert didn't e-mail the family saying their son drank too much and got what he deserved. In fact, he never said anything like that anywhere, and never invaded their space. He said, basically, driving drunk and speeding are things that will get you killed, and here is proof. Which I would be shouting from the rooftops if the drunk driving alcoholic in my family had just died.

And when Ebert made his remarks, he knew that the dude drank 3 beers and 3 shots and then sped. He drank alcohol, lots of it, before driving, and then sped. Ebert wasn't reasoning in advance of facts at all.

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