Ageism from Attenborough

Why deleted? As someone whose OH does sit in a corner and slobber, I am not particularly offended by his, presumably tongue-in-cheek, remark. There are lots of better things he could have said, but I am not prepared to get in a lather about it.

I'm not in a lather. It just adds to my dislike of the man which already existed.

If someone less sanctified said such a thing there'd be outrage.

Or maybe not. People don't seem to care much about everyday ageism, not in the same way they do about everyday sexism, even when what's said is off the cuff or said jokingly.

Or anything someone like the car man, wotsisname, the Other Jeremy, says that's in the slightest bit non-PC. And let's face it, much of what he says is non-PC, deliberately. ?

Personally I think he's a great role model for older people.

I suspect he wasn't thinking in terms of those with dementia and in care but those who are fully mentally fit but just pack in life when they hit retirement and sit in an armchair and do nothing, falling asleep after lunch, with their mouths open and dribbling slightly - and not infrequently ending up drifting into mental deterioration and care.

We all know that the key to old age is the mantra 'use it or lose it' and if like David Attenboorugh you are one of those people who always needs to have lots of balls in the air and projects on the go, and I confess to being that way inclined myself, it is difficult to understand those who choose to spend all the freedom and choice retirement offers to choose to do - nothing.

I think all of us, however much we accept people are different, and can understand different attitudes and actions, always have one area where we struggle and if you are inclined to be a durex battery bunny you can struggle to comprehend those who cannot even be bothered to insert a battery, any battery.

Personally, having little or no interest in animals, I have no opinion or reaction to DA, as he is merely a name to me.

And a brilliant role model for people who dislike the animal, Homo sapiens.

Attenborough's just lucky to have a had a job he loves for most of his life and good health to go with it. It is a job he has done extremely well so his employers are willing to keep him on. He has brought in cash for his employers so it's worth them making allowances for his age. I dont' believe they don't have to do that.

So, yes, a role model of sorts, but most people aren't as well endowed with his luck (background), his intelligence, and his good health. In that respect he reminds me of Margaret Thatcher, she who believed anyone could pull themselves up by their boot straps and didn't seem to make any allowances for the fact that not everyone was as bright as she was at school and that her family circumstances, though 'humble', were far less humble and insecure that those of many other people.

I'm not ranting aginst what is often called privilege, just pointing out that it makes a difference to one's life chances.

Good post Munica. You've made me want to insert a battery this morning. I've always thought a garden party of the amassed tribe of Attenborough would be overly exhausting though. I knew someone who had met DA and her family made her put a £1 in a swear box for every time she mentioned his name. She never quite got over it.

Some people who retire to do not much might just be tired. Attenborough's job was never like a labourer's except, possibly, in short bursts. And he has simply had more opportunities than most people.

Yes, he has used them and all credit to him for that but most people simply don't have such good luck: family background, intelligence, excellent education, connections, health well into old age, etc.

Monica has a good point having seen this too many times !!!
Mind you am in a bit of a slobbering mood now!

I think, if Attenborough had not already expressed his general dislike of human beings, I might not have thought the remark in question ageist. But he has frequently made it very clear that he thinks the human species is revolting so this latest remark is just another expression of his general feelings of disgust towards his own species.

Besides, it's terribly fashionable to have a massive guilt complex about humanity as deliberate planet wreckers rather than as just another species trying to survive in the best way it can, now realising that some of its past actions have caused damage and trying to do something about it.

Yes, retire to a chair in the corner is such as easy option. Everyone has the choice, which is Attenborough's point.

Perhaps he's hit a nerve with Baggs

strange though, to imply that lack of intelligence is a factor in those who sit in the corner vegetating

Each to his own.

I never liked him and that voice! And when he lied about the baby polarbears who were being filmed in captivity not the wild- we saw what a really commercial person he was.

What he says is true, he could retire an sit in an armmchair and slobber if he wanted to and to be honest you only have to viait care homes to know that this is true.

Is stating true facts about the old, ageism? I don't think so. There are truths about the old just like there are truths about babies being a nuisance and driving you crazy but we accept it as real life.

sorry about the typos I need my other glasses

I think DA has led a very privileged life and is not really in a position to talk about ordinary people.
Most of my family will not watch his programmes because they find his voice irritating and his manner patronising.

I do quite a bit of sitting in a corner, but I'm definitely not slobbering or vegetating! I'm employed in making hats, scarves and other such crocheted items which I intend selling at the next fundraiser this town holds. I like going out and doing things as long as they don't cost me anything.

REassuring to read there are others who don't regard him as a god. I can't bear his smugness and oiliness so don't watch his programmes. Also because they're at least seventy per cent about fighting and killing - I know it happens but it's definitely given too much emphasis in his programmes.

Here we go again. What a bunch of old witches some of you are.....

Live and let live. He's not hurting you.

I don't regard him as a god but I rather like him, as much as you can like someone you don't know. I met him once, he was lovely.

I will have to go and sit in the corner -and possibly slobber-- while I think about this

I don't usually slobber but I do always manage to spill something down myself; is that a worrying sign?

That's exactly it KatyK ....how can one form an opinion on someone you don't know?

Well said!!

Jalima

Anya....witchism? so early in the day???

Anya Well I have had my idols over the years but you live and learn. When these 'celebs' have been jailed for sexual offences over the last few years, I have sometimes said to DH 'oh I rather liked him'. DH always says 'they show you what they want you to see, that's why it's called show business'. Cynical? Maybe.