ARGH! I HATE sad animal stories!

[Coventina]

I had a reading for my class today that I'm all upset about.

It's about the encounter of Japanese and Western cultures in the 18th century.

Anyway, one part of it talks about how the Dutch brought an elephant to Japan. The Japanese loved her, took it all around the country, gave her a peerage. And then, after they got bored, starved her to death.

I'm all upset about it, and I know it's silly. The poor thing died more than 200 years ago. I just can't help thinking about it. How she must have felt. All these people loved me, why aren't they feeding me? :cry:
If they were going to kill her why didn't they do it quickly?

Why did this story have to be included in the reading? Am I supposed to learn something about Japanese culture through it?
I'm all upset now.

[mr_hat]

1. That elephant had babies, too. Also, a faithful donkey.

[lancdem]

2. I hate them, too

I work for a newspaper and get upset every time I read about another incident of animal mistreatment.

That story you had to read is really cruel! :(

[TolstoyAndy]

3. Thomas Edison electrocuted an elephant

Thomas Edison electrocuted an elephant to prove something about the relative safety of AC vs DC. And he filmed it, the sick fuck - it was on a PBS (iirc) show a few years ago. The poor thing was fried from the inside, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

[Coventina]

4. How horrifying!

Did PBS give a warning ahead of time about what was going to be shown?

Geez, it really changes my opinion of Edison as well. What is wrong with people?

[TolstoyAndy]

6. no warning

(I think) The show was about the development of electricity
and the AC/DC fight, and apparently Edison did this
to demonstrate the safety of his side (I think it was the AC side)
vs the alternative (he murdered the elephant with the other kind of current).

Yeah, it changed my opinion of Edison, too - nothing more
than another robber-baron, murdering scum.

The practices of the companies that bear his name now
are right in line with the founder's principles.

[Coventina]

7. That is just disgusting

I'm sickened.

[redqueen]

5. Most humans are very cruel... and for little or no reason.

I hate learning of new examples of this fact, as well.