Tír Na HiFi

Just having a bit of a rant here! Does anybody else find all of this Titanic stuff, well, a bit ghoulish? Certainly, it should be remembered, but to celebrate it in the way it's being celebrated?????? More than 1,500 people died in the icy waters of the North Atlantic due to mans' hubris and arrogance, and this should never be forgotten. The tales of heroism and cowardice, of good luck and bad luck make the story of the disaster absolutely compelling, even after a hundred years.
However, to me, the Balmoral retracing the voyage, with passengers in period clothing is extreme bad taste. I don't know what they intend to do at the time, date and location of Titanic's sinking, but a simple ceremony and a laying of wreaths on the water would go along way towards changing my mind, but why would anybody want to commemorate a disaster in a copycat fashion???
Having said all of the above I fully intend to visit the Titanic Centre in Belfast when the rush has quietened down.
Rant over .....back to normal now.

Just an afterthought, what will they do to remember the Twin Towers in 2101???

I *completely* agree, and was going to post a similar rant on...well, I don't know, but somewhere! If you suggested "reenacting" aspects of September 11th people would (rightly) condemn you for being crass at best. I don't know where along the line Titanic went from being "horrible disaster" to "moment of history worthy of celebration" but I think a certain movie probably has something to do with it. It's unfortunate that it's also so wrapped up with NI 2012. I dunno, I must be getting old.

Outraged in Dun Laoghaire.

I saw a thread titled "Titanic" and though "ah ffs is no where safe!" but of course the thread is a well judged (and polite) rant against the tacky exploitation of a terrible disaster. I too find most of the coverage/events/products to verge on grave robbing. I don't think Tayto Titanic snacks serve the memory of the victims very well. Maybe somebody made it up as a joke.

What are you going as?

Good for you John, yes it excessive and tacky, I thought that I was the only one who felt this way, thanks for that.

JAW wrote:Just having a bit of a rant here! Does anybody else find all of this Titanic stuff, well, a bit ghoulish? Certainly, it should be remembered, but to celebrate it in the way it's being celebrated?????? More than 1,500 people died in the icy waters of the North Atlantic due to mans' hubris and arrogance, and this should never be forgotten. The tales of heroism and cowardice, of good luck and bad luck make the story of the disaster absolutely compelling, even after a hundred years.
However, to me, the Balmoral retracing the voyage, with passengers in period clothing is extreme bad taste. I don't know what they intend to do at the time, date and location of Titanic's sinking, but a simple ceremony and a laying of wreaths on the water would go along way towards changing my mind, but why would anybody want to commemorate a disaster in a copycat fashion???
Having said all of the above I fully intend to visit the Titanic Centre in Belfast when the rush has quietened down.
Rant over .....back to normal now.

Just an afterthought, what will they do to remember the Twin Towers in 2101???

Totally agree with you Johnny....It is a totally fascinating but extremely poignant story and I tend to learn something new every time the yearly anniversary comes round. But, for God's, sake celebrate with due respect!

cybot wrote:

JAW wrote:Just having a bit of a rant here! Does anybody else find all of this Titanic stuff, well, a bit ghoulish? Certainly, it should be remembered, but to celebrate it in the way it's being celebrated?????? More than 1,500 people died in the icy waters of the North Atlantic due to mans' hubris and arrogance, and this should never be forgotten. The tales of heroism and cowardice, of good luck and bad luck make the story of the disaster absolutely compelling, even after a hundred years.
However, to me, the Balmoral retracing the voyage, with passengers in period clothing is extreme bad taste. I don't know what they intend to do at the time, date and location of Titanic's sinking, but a simple ceremony and a laying of wreaths on the water would go along way towards changing my mind, but why would anybody want to commemorate a disaster in a copycat fashion???
Having said all of the above I fully intend to visit the Titanic Centre in Belfast when the rush has quietened down.
Rant over .....back to normal now.

Just an afterthought, what will they do to remember the Twin Towers in 2101???

Totally agree with you Johnny....It is a totally fascinating but extremely poignant story and I tend to learn something new every time the yearly anniversary comes round. But, for God's, sake celebrate with due respect!

I beg to disagree with you Dermot, my difficulty with the entire media orgy is that there is nothing to celebrate, it was an unmitigated disaster and should be treated as such. I find the sight of people weeping for the TV cameras nauseating.

Seán wrote:

cybot wrote:[

Totally agree with you Johnny....It is a totally fascinating but extremely poignant story and I tend to learn something new every time the yearly anniversary comes round. But, for God's, sake celebrate with due respect!

I beg to disagree with you Dermot, my difficulty with the entire media orgy is that there is nothing to celebrate, it was an unmitigated disaster and should be treated as such. I find the sight of people weeping for the TV cameras nauseating.

Point taken. I should have said 'remember' not 'celebrate'....