On "Whale Wars"

I watched "Whale Wars" early this morning and when I heard the theme song, "Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage" (Smashing Pumpkins--you can listen/watch free here), I figured the program would be geared toward angry young people. The editing was all very music-video-ish and I didn't anticipate anything great.

But then it settles down and, despite the fact that it is, after all, a reality show and has some elements of the genre that are a bit annoying, it's actually informative.

I didn't experience any glorification of violence (so far), and it's clear that there are long stretches of inaction and even boredom for the 36-member crew of the Steve Irwin (don't get me started) while it searches for a handful of needles in the haystack that is the Antarctic.

One of the first tidbits of introductory information is that the crew gets three vegan meals each day. I appreciated that and I wonder if there will be any discussion of veganism in future episodes (there wasn't any in this first one).

The notion of, shall we say, whale exceptionalism, is prevalent. Had I not read Paul Watson's words about the day he decided to dedicate his life to the whales, I just might be frustrated by all of the talk of our human connection with whales, how they are "one of the greatest species on the planet," and how smart they are. Watson says: "I rate intelligence by your ability to live in the natural world and by that criteria whales are far more intelligent than we are." They shouldn't be slaughtered because it's not right to slaughter them for no good reason (and the program does get into the ridiculous "research" excuse), not because of their intelligence or because "their brain is the size of a car."

This first episode of "Whale Wars" provides backstory for the audience, including a scathing critique of Greenpeace, which refuses to help Sea Shepherd and has maintained its long-standing feud after Watson (a Greenpeace co-founder) was asked to leave. Watson says:

"What is greenpeace doing? They go down there every year and take pictures of whales dying and they say their policy is one of bearing witness. If you walk down the street and see a woman being attacked and raped and do nothing but watch . . . you don’t watch a puppy being kicked in the face and do nothing, you don’t sit there and watch whales die and do nothing but take pictures. That to me is cowardice."

Watson likens Sea Shepherd as "ladies of the night." Some people agree with them, but those people refuse to be seen with them. Meanwhile, "Greenpeace comes off as a bunch of Quaker Puritans."

The most successful tactic of Sea Shepherd, despite all of the talk of violence, is the chase. If the whalers are running, they're not whaling.

I think every species of sentient nonhuman is worthy of saving, and none is more important than others. But I also know that individual humans--and this includes vegans--often experience some kind of pivotal moment that compels them to focus on one particular cause or animal. I see no harm in that, and I assume that the message of veganism also runs through their activism. I've yet to meet a vegan who couldn't take a discussion about the use of an animal, or the life of an animal, or food, for that matter, and creatively bring it around to why we should rethink using animals for our purposes.

Comments

[Nick]

The apparent "whale exceptionalism" doesn't bother me. Paul Watson is a committed abolitionist. Attacking whalers is a lot easier (and more legal) than attacking chicken slaughterhouses. And while I would no sooner kill a chicken than a whale, there is also something to be said for protecting endangered species (I mean this from an environmentalist perspective). I'm glad that they mentioned that vegan food is served. Hopefully they will discuss that more.

[kelly g.]

Anyone happen to catch Thursday's CSI? I think they're doing a tie-in with Whale Wars - Sara Sidle sends Grissom a video using the email address info@seashepherd.org. In the video, she talks about being at sea with an "amazing group of activists." But she never specifically says where she is or what she's doing (an ongoing mystery since actor Jorja Fox left the series last season), so viewers wouldn't know unless they catch the email address and check out the site. The actor who plays Grissom is set to leave the show this season; I wonder if he's going to join Sara on the Steve Irwin?

[john carbonaro]

This response was posted from a guy on another forum, but i thought it was worth bringing here :

"I watched an episode of Whale Wars last night.
I totally support what the guy is doing, but what a group of amateurs...
I mean, they damn near lost 5 crew members when launching a RHIB, their man overboard drill/response was laughable, another dude damaged their aircraft with an errant gaff, and throughout the episode, half the crew was confined to quarters due to seasickness...
I think if old dude is serious about his mission, he could recruit/hire a squad of ex-Navy SBS operators, or some former Marines.

Seaworthiness? Check!
Cast and recovery of RHIBs and Zodiacs? Check!
Safe deployment of less-lethal technology? Check!
Conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) ? Check!
VBSS (Vessel Board, Search and Seizure) on hostile ships while underway? Check!
Experience operating on the flightline during aircraft operations? Check!

With a large pool of talent to choose from, it seems dangerous to me that he uses green, inexperienced volunteers for his mission. It's akin to climbing Everest with volunteers from the local community college...

Hopefully the series will give some positive exposure to his cause and attract volunteers more suited to the task. That would increase his effectiveness immeasurably. Sadly, professional amphibious operators I spoke with were also appalled at the lack of safety, training, structure, and overall emergency response shown on the program.

Most SEALs willing to risk their life are getting paid well by MPRI or Triple Canopy.
There are enough "green" minded professionals out there who would be willing to shoulder a ruck and get to work for a cause. This Sea Shepherd guy needs to expand his recruiting efforts to places like Coronado, CA and Jacksonville, NC".

[Adam]

I had a conversation with Watson over dinner in the summer. Besides being a very good speaker and a new found addict of Tings, he is very zealous--past the point of self-criticism. He is very misanthropic, but is nonetheless loved by the vegan ladies (ages 30+).

I have no problem he favors one species over others, don't we all to some extent? (I am particularly defensive of farmed animals while others are defensive over great apes, lab rats, seals, minks, manatees, etc.). There is only so much one man can do and Watson does his thing very well. I feel as if we as activists dedicate ourselves equally to all species/animal issues, we get nothing done; better to concentrate on an area of concern. My greatest concern, however, is when we become too self-righteous (like Watson). There is a good reason that Aristotle's core virtue is temperance.

[Adam]

On a side note: has anyone else noticed a lot of animal-centered jokes on the Colbert Report since last week? There was an especially hilarious metaphor made between foi gras and the media shoving fear down Americans' throats. He also commented on giving "our food rights" (Prop 2)--although, he mocked this(again, in a simultaneously offensive and hilarious fashion). Do you think he has animal welfare/rights writers for the show?

[Mary Martin]

John,
I'm a bit of an efficiency nerd and it was maddening to see how many things can (and did) go wrong because of the newbies. And it's the whales who suffer while the volunteers vomit from seasickness. Watson was very annoyed and said something interesting: People who get seasick are afraid of the ocean. Perhaps the series will bring volunteers who are trained and experienced. And perhaps the show was cast like that intentionally for dramatic effect. I'm sure there are always newbies, but it did seem like all but maybe 5 people had never set foot on a ship that size before.

[kelly g.]

>>On a side note: has anyone else noticed a lot of animal-centered jokes on the Colbert Report since last week?

I've noticed some animal-friendly coverage on both The Colbert Report and The Daily Show; it seems to come in waves, depending on whether animal advocacy issues are making the news.

Tofu for Nader in 2016!

[Andrew]

Is the Theame song a real song if so can you please post it?? thanks

[mary martin]

Here's the song . . .
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkm99_smashing-pumpkins-the-world-is-a-va