Our obsession with the Titanic

[Arginald Valleywater]

Why? It sank and almost 2000 people died. Now Britain's greatest upper class twat, aka Julian Fellowes is making yet another romantic drama about the fateful event. Since when was 2000 deaths romantic?

[Nob3y]

I dont get it either.
One mention of the name and some people to wild about it and start quoting their titanic facts.

[frankthring]

You ask Arginald what was "romantic" about it ? I would say, in terms of
human drama, just about everything.
You have a ship declared by its makers and believed by the public to be un-
sinkable. It almost is, yet an iceberg makes a rip so vast that it is bound to
sink and in just two hours in the middle of the night. It is the finest, classiest
ocean going passenger ship and it will die ! It is packed with all kinds of
humanity. Another ship, the "Carpathia" rushes to try and help but knows it
will get there late. Meanwhile a 2nd ship, the "California", is close by and
could save everyone but does nothing !!
The Edwardians held different values from today. They were, by and large,
not cynics and everyone accepted their place in society. But the lack of
sufficient lifeboats meant high tragedy. Men of all classes knew that it would
basically be women and children first. Panic there was but minimal. I suggest
to you, Arginald, that to send off your wife and child knowing you would die
takes courage, and heroism is the very stuff of romance in literature.
The "whys" of the tale - why did it sink, why not enough lifeboats, why did
not the California do something -make for intriguing mysteries also. Rich
died as well as poor on the ship. Honour was understood by all, which it is
not in this awful age we live in. As one of them said, "We have dressed in
our best and are determined to die as gentlemen."
You won`t understand any of this Arginald. Some other might.

[Robches]

Oh well you've given away the ending now, there's no point watching it.

[oli_cortez]

I find it very interesting but mainly due to how the ship
itself has been preserved underwater.

Bet the programme will be better than take me out, britains got talent
et al.

[one eyed jack]

I totally understand why James Cameron of all people found the Titanic worthy of making a movie which is given the 3D treatment rerelease next month

As rank said, the Titanic has become an allegory or human triumph, heroism and great tragedy. It is the modern day Tower Of Babel

It wouldnty surprise when much time has passed there maybe a fictional epic made about that other recent disaster: 9/11

I know Oliver Stone already did it with World Trade Centre but I fear that was too close to the incident why it was not received so well.

I am fascinated by the Titanic as well as any other disaster simply because the monumental loss of life and the pain it has left with loved ones makes me empathise with such loss.

Given that rich and poor died on the same ship compounds the sense of loss and makes this a very personable subject for me

[one eyed jack]

Having problem with my F's. Sorry Frank

[Zorro]

Well said Frank.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Nah still don't get it. 2000 dead ain't entertainment.

[Essex Lad]

Arginald Valleywater wrote:

> Nah still don't get it. 2000 dead ain't entertainment.

Have you never watched a film about the Second World War? The Longest Day? The Bridge On The River Kwai? The Battle of the Bulge? Went The Day Well?