The jumping bull...sympathy?

[scotpens]

This wasn't a traditional bullfight. It happened at an event called “recortadores” where people get into the ring and try to get as close as possible to a bull without getting hurt or gored. Normally, the bull isn't killed. Participants goad the bulls into charging at them so they can dodge away. And more experienced contestants take turns performing acrobatic maneuvers like doing somersaults over the backs of the bulls.

So naturally the bull gets pissed off. And this one charged into the stands, injuring some 40 people. Fortunately no one was killed and most of the injuries were minor. One spectator was even quoted as saying, “The bull caught me and hurled me against the seating. What an experience!” He regarded the whole thing as an amusement-park ride.

So it's like the running of the bulls through the streets of Pamplona in that people willingly put themselves in harm's way. If they're going to do something that stupid, screw ’em. I do agree about the children, though.

 

[Eleanor_zhDarjel]

I see your point. Still, for me the they-should-not-have-gotten-there-in-the-first-place-thing is tricky. Of course it's their own fault, what does that fact really change the significance of people getting hurt? The result is the same.

 

[auntiehill]

None at all for the people but I definitely have sympathy for the bull.

Yeah, this was pretty much my initial reaction.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

His question is, for the purposes of these feelings, what's the difference between men and women? Both chose to watch the bullfight. Children, clearly, might not be able to comprehend the significance of what's happening and possibly didn't even choose to go to the event. Women are just as culpable as men in this regard, however, so why is it OK to wish for men to get hurt but not the women?

I'll say it again for the cheap seats: I DON'T LIKE TO SEE WOMEN GET HURT!
And guys, instead of leaning on "Why is it OK for the men to get hurt but not the women?" go for the more logical and easily defensible "Why do you want anyone to get hurt at all?"

You said you'd prefer it only hurt the men and not the women. What reasoning do you have for that distinction? I'm asking for your thought process, not a repeating of the statement. Yes, you don't like women getting hurt. You also presumably don't want men to get hurt either. But, when you choose, you the women over the men. What is the reason for that? In addition, you were talking about a hypothetical situation that you can control based on a wish. With that wish, you wished for only the men to get hurt. That implies far more callousness towards men getting injured than towards women. Why?

 

[Nardpuncher]

His question is, for the purposes of these feelings, what's the difference between men and women? Both chose to watch the bullfight. Children, clearly, might not be able to comprehend the significance of what's happening and possibly didn't even choose to go to the event. Women are just as culpable as men in this regard, however, so why is it OK to wish for men to get hurt but not the women?

I'll say it again for the cheap seats: I DON'T LIKE TO SEE WOMEN GET HURT!
And guys, instead of leaning on "Why is it OK for the men to get hurt but not the women?" go for the more logical and easily defensible "Why do you want anyone to get hurt at all?"

You said you'd prefer it only hurt the men and not the women. What reasoning do you have for that distinction? I'm asking for your thought process, not a repeating of the statement. Yes, you don't like women getting hurt. You also presumably don't want men to get hurt either. But, when you choose, you the women over the men. What is the reason for that? In addition, you were talking about a hypothetical situation that you can control based on a wish. With that wish, you wished for only the men to get hurt. That implies far more callousness towards men getting injured than towards women. Why?

You must have analyzed your way out of many potential romantic situations.

 

[Marie1]

I find that kind of senseless cruelty to animals abhorrent, so if the people taking the action, or the people who finance it and cheer it on get injured, I don't waste sympathy on it. I do pity the children that were brought to such a horrid thing and ended up injured.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I'll say it again for the cheap seats: I DON'T LIKE TO SEE WOMEN GET HURT!
And guys, instead of leaning on "Why is it OK for the men to get hurt but not the women?" go for the more logical and easily defensible "Why do you want anyone to get hurt at all?"

You said you'd prefer it only hurt the men and not the women. What reasoning do you have for that distinction? I'm asking for your thought process, not a repeating of the statement. Yes, you don't like women getting hurt. You also presumably don't want men to get hurt either. But, when you choose, you the women over the men. What is the reason for that? In addition, you were talking about a hypothetical situation that you can control based on a wish. With that wish, you wished for only the men to get hurt. That implies far more callousness towards men getting injured than towards women. Why?

You must have analyzed your way out of many potential romantic situations.

OK, I have been doing legal writing all day to be fair. But, at the same time, I feel you needed to have more of an explanation. Reading into your last statement, that reason can be because you think women are hot. That's at least a reason. I won't agree with the reason (since it's not like I'm going to be involved with any of the women at this event), but at least it's a reason.

 

[Marie1]

Well, clearly we're so delicate and beautiful and just plain awesome that nothing bad should happen to us ever, and all that could happen should happen to men instead.

Everyone agrees on that right? Right??

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ I agree with the first part.

I certainly have sympathy for the people who were hurt, since I don't like to see anybody in pain. But I have greater sympathy for the bull, who is the innocent in this situation. The people (aside from the kids), chose to take part in an event where an animal is taken into captivity for the sole purpose of being goaded into a rage. They did indeed bring their injuries upon themselves.

I'll say it again for the cheap seats: I DON'T LIKE TO SEE WOMEN GET HURT!

You said that already. The point is that your comment is sexist and condescending.

 

[Amaris]

I do feel sympathy for the people who were injured, and the sympathy for the bull in this case is a given.

 

[Servo]

When I saw it on the news, I cheered for the bull. It's about time the bulls got some payback.

 

[Nardpuncher]

^^ I agree with the first part.

I'll say it again for the cheap seats: I DON'T LIKE TO SEE WOMEN GET HURT!

You said that already. The point is that your comment is sexist and condescending.

Guys this is getting silly. You're reading stuff into what I wrote that I didn't say.
There's nothing about women being delicate and staying home with the kids safe or anything like that.
I really think it's a stretch that when I say I don't like to see women get hurt that that's sexist. You're just coming at it the wrong way.
Even if i were to say something strange like "I like to see men get hurt" that would not make me sexist just because I didn't include women in that sentence. It would make me sadistic, but not sexist.

Also, what about the other posters ( about 3 or 4) that said they felt no sympathy for the people at all?!?

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Even if i were to say something strange like "I like to see men get hurt" that would not make me sexist just because I didn't include women in that sentence. It would make me sadistic, but not sexist.

The thing is, in your first sentence, you did include men.

I guess i'm evil. I mean, i feel bad that they got hurt (especially children) but part of me thinks "You shouldn't have been there to witness a bull being tortured for sport!!!"

I agree....but since we're wishing, I'd prefer the bull only hurt men and leave the women and kids out of it.

First person (paraphrasing): In some ways, they all deserved to get hurt for watching a bull being tortured

Your post (paraphrasing): I agree. But just the men, not the women and children.

 

[MetalPants]

I guess I'm weird-I don't understand why people feel sympathy towards the bull. It's whole existence is to perform, sire more cattle, and end up on someone's plate.

 

[TerokNor]

The existence that humans gave him, yeah... still, that doesn´t make it right, its devaluing life.

As for the people, I also don´t like people getting hurt in general, as I am usually very compassionate (and I really hope the boy who got hurt more severly, though not by the bull personally, but by the adults trying to save their lifes, when I understood it right, will be running around happy and healthy soon again) ... but still in this case my compassion is mostly with the bull....as he is the weakest link in the chain there. No matter what, he looses in the end..well he allready has, as he got killed.


TerokNor

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I guess I'm weird-I don't understand why people feel sympathy towards the bull. It's whole existence is to perform, sire more cattle, and end up on someone's plate.

Slaughter for food can be done humanely, and is done because people have to eat, and is something that I think we should do with humility and gratitude. But bullfighting is inherently an act of torture that has no purpose. It is FAR from a quick, dignified death with a purpose.

 

[StarryEyed]

I guess I'm weird-I don't understand why people feel sympathy towards the bull.

Not weird, unfortunately. Many people lack empathy for other living creatures.

Imagine someone stabbing a steak knife into your side. Imagine how much that would hurt. A bull feels it the same way a human does. Maybe I'm weird but I have empathy for every living thing.

Regrettably, suffering is a part of nature. Carnivorous animals have no choice but to hunt and kill. We humans have a choice. We don't need meat and we sure as hell don't need to inflict suffering for entertainment.

 

[Amaris]

I guess I'm weird-I don't understand why people feel sympathy towards the bull.

Not weird, unfortunately. Many people lack empathy for other living creatures.

Imagine someone stabbing a steak knife into your side. Imagine how much that would hurt. A bull feels it the same way a human does. Maybe I'm weird but I have empathy for every living thing.

Regrettably, suffering is a part of nature. Carnivorous animals have no choice but to hunt and kill. We humans have a choice. We don't need meat and we sure as hell don't need to inflict suffering for entertainment.

Agreed. I don't have a problem with people eating meat, it's the immense suffering some of these animals go through to be put on our plates. I believe it is possible to be humane and respectful of nature, and animals in particular. We should do this because we know better. We know the difference.

 

[MetalPants]

I guess I'm weird-I don't understand why people feel sympathy towards the bull.

Not weird, unfortunately. Many people lack empathy for other living creatures.

Imagine someone stabbing a steak knife into your side. Imagine how much that would hurt. A bull feels it the same way a human does. Maybe I'm weird but I have empathy for every living thing.

Regrettably, suffering is a part of nature. Carnivorous animals have no choice but to hunt and kill. We humans have a choice. We don't need meat and we sure as hell don't need to inflict suffering for entertainment.

So let me ask you this, what do you do to fight against the injustices of such acts?

Agreed. I don't have a problem with people eating meat, it's the immense suffering some of these animals go through to be put on our plates. I believe it is possible to be humane and respectful of nature, and animals in particular. We should do this because we know better. We know the difference.

You have a higher opinion of our species than I do.

 

[StarryEyed]

I guess I'm weird-I don't understand why people feel sympathy towards the bull.

Not weird, unfortunately. Many people lack empathy for other living creatures.

Imagine someone stabbing a steak knife into your side. Imagine how much that would hurt. A bull feels it the same way a human does. Maybe I'm weird but I have empathy for every living thing.

Regrettably, suffering is a part of nature. Carnivorous animals have no choice but to hunt and kill. We humans have a choice. We don't need meat and we sure as hell don't need to inflict suffering for entertainment.

So let me ask you this, what do you do to fight against the injustices of such acts?

Oops; I screwed up my reply. Disregard this post and see the one three posts down.