Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin died off the coast of Australia when a stingray impaled his heart. "He died doing what he loved best," a friend noted. He did. But what he loved best was a death sentence. Did anyone doubt Irwin would go out any way but this way? Anyone who remembers old PBS animal documentaries knows how dramatically Irwin revolutionized wildlife programs. Once detached observer, man is now an active participant. Viewers feel as though they are watching something dangerous. And Irwin's death proves that they are. Irwin leaves behind his wife, two children, and an entertained world. Should we feel guilty for being amused?

UPDATE: The last line of this post has apparently led to misunderstanding. "Should we feel guilty for being amused?" refers to being amused by Irwin's dare-devil animal show, not by his death--which is about as far away from amusing as something can be. In other words, did our--fans of Crocodile Hunter--voyeurism indirectly lead to Steve Irwin's death, and should we feel guilty for fueling the risky behavior of Irwin. Had there been no audience for Irwin's dangerous stunts, there would have been far fewer dangerous stunts by Irwin. He would probably be alive today had he not been busy trying to entertain us. Most comments indicate that readers generally got what I was saying, but a few of the comments derived a very different, and to me quite horrifying, meaning from my words. My apologies for not writing that last sentence in a manner that would have cleared up any ambiguity.

Steve Irwin always instructed his camera men to keep the camera rolling no matter what, if he needed help he would tell them. If a tragic event were to happen, Irwin wanted to ensure the cameras would catch it. Knowing this, I don't think we should feel guilty for being amused. Though very tragic, this death was a fitting one for Irwin. He will be missed.

The man knew the risks he was taking so I feel neither guilty or amused.
Ad me to the club that just assumed one of these days an animal would get the best of him, although I'd just assumed it would be a croc or bitten by a poisonous snake.
With all the coverage about how docile the stingray is supposed to be, I'd be willing to bet this is one of the few times Irwin let his guard down when dealing with a wild creature.
From what little I know about him it seemed he was for real in his love for animals,for what he did and it wasn't just for the money and fame.
Rest in peace Mr. Irwin.

Feel guilty? With all the animals he ticked off over the years, it was going to happen sooner or later.

The man lived and died doing what he loved to do. rest in peace Steve Irwin.

Was a body recovered or did the sharks get it?

He not only constantly endangered himself, which is stupid enough in itself, but don't forget that he infamously endangered his 1-month-old son in the presence of a 16-foot crocodile just two years ago.

It was only a question of time before he joined Grizzly Man, that other ignorant/arrogant naif.

We should only feel guilty being amused by the video of his grizzly death which, if it hasn't already, will be making the rounds of the internet for all to see.

Cracky! Isn't that 200lb. black stingray with the eight inch serated barbed tail a beauty!! Let's just snorkel over here and take a.....aaaarrrggh.

Bound to happen when you play the odds.

Worse rememberance picture I saw this morning showed the Crock Man feeding a huge jumping crockadile while holding his newborn baby.

F'ing nutcase.

At least he died doing what he loved: Getting impaled by a stingray.

Good one. Yeah, that's probably what the bomb squad guys all say...."at least Joe went doing what he loved: blown up while trying to defuse that pipe bomb". Pluuuuease.

steve was a great roll model to everyone. he had 2 kids and a wife its sad that hes dead

What's wrong with you people? All you can do is critizize?!! What if you died? Would you like a blog saying how dumb you are?

Would you know?

If I pissed off animals my whole life and got killed by one, you can make fun of me all you want.

Ur all asses!! i mean yea, we all knew he would die, we all knew it would happen, hell, i thought he would get his head chopped off by a croc for crying out loud, but you know what?

Steve irwin was the greatest man ever. two years ago, there was no possible harm that could have been done to his infant son, and that's smart.

He has gone where no man has ever gone, or possibly ever WILL go, and instead of everyone dissing and hating him for being the great guy he was, you should be mourning him, and praying for him in the afterlife.

i swear, he was great, one of the few people that caught my attention in life, you should miss him, because when you can do what he's done in life, you'd be missed as well.

Goodbye Steve Irwin, you were a man of great fortune, and WILL be missed by all, especially your 3 year old son, 8 year old daughter, and you're loving wife.

good bye, r.i.p

The question brought up is this; should we feel guilty or amused over the death of Steve Irwin.

I don't feel guilty of his death, only because I did not know him personally. Am I amused by his death?

NO, I am not amused by his death. What amuses me, were the many programs that he was included, as a professional, who not only KNEW what he was doing, but more-over, knew the risks that could derive from his line of work. We were ALL amused by his enthusiastically aclaimed personality, one that EVERYBODY will remember for years to come.

Another answer must be stated.

I DO feel guilty for how amused some of you may BE of his death.

quotes like "he had it coming"
or
"he knew what he was doing"

in an ignorance is.. well.. IGNORANT.

Of course, we can all agree, that he knew what he was doing, and that... maybe he DID have death coming to him... but it wasn't anything he wasn't prepared for. I am sure, he loved, more than we know, his career. Although he had just as much of a chance of dying, as any of us do at our daily jobs and lifestyles... his life was just publicized.

So, to say in a haughty fasion, "he had it coming".... is a statement that should not be taken to heart... as I will ignore it...

He WAS however, taking a larger risk, by going into the ocean... surroundings in which are still ... ALIEN to many of us... as I am sure they were to Steve. As much of a "global hero" he was, and an influence to anyone who has ever seen any of his programs, he will be missed... and that statement.... is one that has been rendered too lightly by fans, by family of his, and by those who didn't know him (like myself).

Death (to most people), is an ugly thing, especially when one might leave behind children, and a wife. YES, but isn't it yet more beautiful, when one dies, in passion? in love? Living with a FULL day to day adventurous risky life, doesn't earn you death... death had to earn Steve.

Here is a guy, that was obviously bigger than life. Larger than a life any of us may know, because he lived, doing what many of us, could never do.

The respect behind this man, was IMMENSE! It's fantastic to watch... how the world lays thier schedules aside, and thier walls, to pay respect to a man who had so much influence on a world, one that can't learn to enjoy life to the fullest.

Steve was a neat human being... and a true man of life.

My only question that lays in ALL seriousness is this; Did he know God?

I only feel guilty if he did not know God.

Rest in Peace Steve Irwin. I am glad you lived.

Take care.

Fly with Christ! >>

Marc(a)s!

The question brought up is this; should we feel guilty or amused over the death of Steve Irwin.

I don't feel guilty of his death, only because I did not know him personally. Am I amused by his death?

NO, I am not amused by his death. What amuses me, were the many programs that he was included, as a professional, who not only KNEW what he was doing, but more-over, knew the risks that could derive from his line of work. We were ALL amused by his enthusiastically aclaimed personality, one that EVERYBODY will remember for years to come.

Another answer must be stated.

I DO feel guilty for how amused some of you may BE of his death.

quotes like "he had it coming"
or
"he knew what he was doing"

in an ignorance is.. well.. IGNORANT.

Of course, we can all agree, that he knew what he was doing, and that... maybe he DID have death coming to him... but it wasn't anything he wasn't prepared for. I am sure, he loved, more than we know, his career. Although he had just as much of a chance of dying, as any of us do at our daily jobs and lifestyles... his life was just publicized.

So, to say in a haughty fasion, "he had it coming".... is a statement that should not be taken to heart... as I will ignore it...

He WAS however, taking a larger risk, by going into the ocean... surroundings in which are still ... ALIEN to many of us... as I am sure they were to Steve. As much of a "global hero" he was, and an influence to anyone who has ever seen any of his programs, he will be missed... and that statement.... is one that has been rendered too lightly by fans, by family of his, and by those who didn't know him (like myself).

Death (to most people), is an ugly thing, especially when one might leave behind children, and a wife. YES, but isn't it yet more beautiful, when one dies, in passion? in love? Living with a FULL day to day adventurous risky life, doesn't earn you death... death had to earn Steve.

Here is a guy, that was obviously bigger than life. Larger than a life any of us may know, because he lived, doing what many of us, could never do.

The respect behind this man, was IMMENSE! It's fantastic to watch... how the world lays thier schedules aside, and thier walls, to pay respect to a man who had so much influence on a world, one that can't learn to enjoy life to the fullest.

Steve was a neat human being... and a true man of life.

My only question that lays in ALL seriousness is this; Did he know God?

I only feel guilty if he did not know God.

Rest in Peace Steve Irwin. I am glad you lived.

Take care.

Fly with Christ! >>

Marc(a)s!

I can't belive all of the heartless people on this blog. He was someones son,father, and husband. I'm sure they are beside theirselves with greef and the pain they feel losing their loved one. Steve was a kind and generous man. Not only to humans but to all of God's creation. I think we all need to ask ourselves, what do we contribute to life instead of critisizing the people that do. Show some respect for goodness sake. Grow up and think about the things you do every day and how that could affect your loved ones. It may not be chasing crocks or swimming with sharks, but I bet we all can think of something we have done that maybe wasn't in our best interest or in our love ones best interest. So think twice about casting those stones your throwing because those who live in glass houses usually are the ones who in up getting hurt.

This was certainly a tragedy and sad to the extent that he leaves a young family behind. But, this guy wasn't the new Marlon Perkins and was no hero. He took way too many chances with very dangerous wild animals. Even to the extent where he taunted and teased them. Not that they know the difference but wild animals don't think, they instinctively react (as did his killer) and it was only a matter of time before one of them got him (like, if you drive a race car, there’s a pretty good chance if you do it long enough, you’ll get into a wreck?). So I suppose, although sadly tragic, some humor can be found in this situation as many of us would question this guy’s sanity.

Just to clear things up: the last line of this post "Should we feel guilty for being amused?" refers to being amused by Irwin's televised dare-devil exploits, not by his death. In other words, people watch Irwin--like they watch NASCAR--because there is more than a hint of danger. Should we feel guilty that we watched a man risk his life for our entertainment? I don't feel in any way amused by Irwin's death.

I made a joke above, but in seriousness: Its horrifying. He was a great guy from what I know of him, and its awful that he had to die and leave a young family behinnd.

rip steve you were a good man and u died doing wot u belived in and jus rip now

I feel all of you that have anything to say bad about irwin should shut up. he showed all of us so much about animals that we would have never known. amused I dont think so. watch what you say. it comes back to get you. god bless him and his family.

steve irwin was a brave man who truly and dearly loved animals.althought many people think he was only in it for the money,he actually cared for those creatures.on an interview with steve irwin,he said the only reason he held baby bob while feeding the crocodile was to let him{bob}get introduced to the crocodile before he{bob}learned about it at the age when little kids fear such creatures.i also agree with kayla`s post.IF YOU`RE GONNA MAKE A COMMENT,THEN LET IT BE SOMETHING NICE OR DON`T MAKE A COMMENT AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YA GOT THAT?

The untimely passing of Steve Irwin is a great tragedy. This has effected my family more than I could have imagined; he has been a great influence on myself and my two boys. The world will never be the same. In the past, I have dealt with this type of emotional pain through music. Being a song writer and composer, I have written musical compositions and songs to honour friends, family, and fallen heroes to ease the pain and commemorate the contributions they've made in life. Steve falls under the obvious catagory of "HERO." Please accept and share with the world this musical tribute in honour of the great "CROCODILE HUNTER" Steve Irwin.. WE LOVE YOU STEVE!!

Sincerely:
David James

P.S. - You can visit me at: http;//www.davidjamesmusic.net
and download the musical tribute "THE MIGHTY STEVE"

I think that once he had a family that should have come first. He was a idoit and dong what he loved killed him. When his kids grow up they will think that he didnt love them at all

He was a idoit and dong what he loved killed him. Luckly the moran didnt kill his son what kind of person puts there kid in danger like that.

Steve Irwin was a great guy, and he should be remebered. I knew he wasn't a bad guy, but he was a good guy. When I heard he died, I just burt out crying. I wondered what happen, so one night there was a show that was going to show what had killed him, when I found out, I was shocked, I didn't know that stingrays could kill you! I'll miss you Steve, and I'll always think of you when I hear the word Steve or whenever I want to.

steve Irwin was good at what he did and loved to entertain the people but educate them at the same time. He will be missed rip steve