Shoreham Air Display Disaster - Flowers

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Seen on the news earlier this evening a 'bridge of sighs' close to the site of the calamity getting stacked with flowers. I don't really get this. We know that 11 folks have died and a good number injured. But why all the flowers?

The cynical grumpy-git side of me would point at them and cite Lady Di syndrome - public grieving for someone you don't know because...you want to part part of it...

But maybe there is more to it that that superficiality. Maybe this is actually a reflection of a deeper malaise or problem the majority of us have today - in that we don't have a religious faith to fall back on in such times when our minds are troubled and upset by people, places and things we cannot control and are powerless over. Our minds are messed up by it. And with nowhere to go with these troubles and no personal way of dealing with them many seek to 'do something' and so we see the flowers.

But does this actually help us? Or does the very act of 'shared remembrance or grief' of this what can only be a rather superficial sort (most probably don't know the dead or injured after all) simply cement in our minds the feelings of powerlessness. And we then have to then live with these feelings - which can turn quite easily into frustration, anger and resentment - and so affect how we view everything else that goes on around us and shapes our response to other events that happen over which we are powerless.

All coming down to the fact that any spiritual/religious belief and faith that most of us might have had 30yrs ago has gone. And maybe so too has a significant tool we were provided with to cope with and come to terms with significant traumatic events in life - such as the Shoreham Air Display Disaster.

Anyway - all that probably doesn't make sense - just a dump of some thoughts I've had over this this evening about why we see this today when we didn't in the past.

 

[Golfmmad]

Seen on the news earlier this evening a 'bridge of sighs' close to the site of the calamity getting stacked with flowers. I don't really get this. We know that 11 folks have died and a good number injured. But why all the flowers?

The cynical grumpy-git side of me would point at them and cite Lady Di syndrome - public grieving for someone you don't know because...you want to part part of it...

But maybe there is more to it that that superficiality. Maybe this is actually a reflection of a deeper malaise or problem the majority of us have today - in that we don't have a religious faith to fall back on in such times when our minds are troubled and upset by people, places and things we cannot control and are powerless over. Our minds are messed up by it. And with nowhere to go with these troubles and no personal way of dealing with them many seek to 'do something' and so we see the flowers.

But does this actually help us? Or does the very act of 'shared remembrance or grief' of this what can only be a rather superficial sort (most probably don't know the dead or injured after all) simply cement in our minds the feelings of powerlessness. And we then have to then live with these feelings - which can turn quite easily into frustration, anger and resentment - and so affect how we view everything else that goes on around us and shapes our response to other events that happen over which we are powerless.

All coming down to the fact that any spiritual/religious belief and faith that most of us might have had 30yrs ago has gone. And maybe so too has a significant tool we were provided with to cope with and come to terms with significant traumatic events in life - such as the Shoreham Air Display Disaster.

Anyway - all that probably doesn't make sense - just a dump of some thoughts I've had over this this evening about why we see this today when we didn't in the past.

First of all, those that have lost their loved ones have my deepest sympathy.

I think it's the local community that are expressing their sadness, shock and disbelief and just want to show their respect in the only way they can. I would think that nobody has ever seen such a tragic disaster in their lifetime such as this. Even to just think about what happened, in your own mind, is unprecedented and is almost unbelievable.

Accidents have happened at airshows in the past, where usually, tragically, just the pilot has been killed. But this is different, when you see the picture of the plane seeming to be landing on the carriageway and a split second later erupting in a huge fireball with all the devastation after........... it doesn't bear thinking about.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Beezerk]

Maybe in this modern age of 24 hour news feeds and not even blinking when another 50 die in an Iraq bombing, it's good to show some public grief and respect. Better that than bloody tweeting it or putting some crap on Facebook.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Whether it's to pay respect to those who unfortunately lost their life in this sad and tragic incident or for some sort of self gratification, each to their own, not for me, if it helps them cope I see no harm in it.

 

[JustOne]

Maybe this is actually a reflection of a deeper malaise or problem the majority of us have today - in that we don't have a religious faith to fall back on in such times when our minds are troubled and upset by people, places and things we cannot control and are powerless over. Our minds are messed up by it. And with nowhere to go with these troubles and no personal way of dealing with them many seek to 'do something' and so we see the flowers.

On the contrary, I think it's the religious nutters who leave the flowers

Tragic though the accident was I don't think you either need religion OR LACK OF IT in order to mourn your dead (even if it's someone you never new) as we must all have a natural instinct to 'feel the loss'.

 

[ger147]

There are victims who haven't yet been identified. Can this thread be removed please?

 

[Hobbit]

There are victims who haven't yet been identified. Can this thread be removed please?

Why?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

There are victims who haven't yet been identified. Can this thread be removed please?

Mods have discussed and dont see a problem with this thread
It is about public outpouring of grief following a tragic event and how this manifests itself.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Seen on the news earlier this evening a 'bridge of sighs' close to the site of the calamity getting stacked with flowers. I don't really get this. We know that 11 folks have died and a good number injured. But why all the flowers?

The cynical grumpy-git side of me would point at them and cite Lady Di syndrome - public grieving for someone you don't know because...you want to part part of it...

But maybe there is more to it that that superficiality. Maybe this is actually a reflection of a deeper malaise or problem the majority of us have today - in that we don't have a religious faith to fall back on in such times when our minds are troubled and upset by people, places and things we cannot control and are powerless over. Our minds are messed up by it. And with nowhere to go with these troubles and no personal way of dealing with them many seek to 'do something' and so we see the flowers.

But does this actually help us? Or does the very act of 'shared remembrance or grief' of this what can only be a rather superficial sort (most probably don't know the dead or injured after all) simply cement in our minds the feelings of powerlessness. And we then have to then live with these feelings - which can turn quite easily into frustration, anger and resentment - and so affect how we view everything else that goes on around us and shapes our response to other events that happen over which we are powerless.

All coming down to the fact that any spiritual/religious belief and faith that most of us might have had 30yrs ago has gone. And maybe so too has a significant tool we were provided with to cope with and come to terms with significant traumatic events in life - such as the Shoreham Air Display Disaster.

Anyway - all that probably doesn't make sense - just a dump of some thoughts I've had over this this evening about why we see this today when we didn't in the past.

Or another explanation may be that people are more comfortable with expressing emotion nowadays? And 30 years ago people would just have bottled it up, not sure many more would have used their faith to cope than do nowadays. Britain had a reputation of being all stiff upper lip and all that, and public displays of emotion were not the British way. And in some cases that is still the case. But for several reasons, and the death of Lady Di was a factor, people are a bit more comfortable with it now. And I imagine some people just want to express their sympathy by leaving flowers.

Public grieving/paying respect for someone you do not know is not a bad thing in many situations, after all isn't that part of what remembrance day is, or minutes silences/applauses? To me the act of leaving flowers is no more or less meaningful or superficial than using a religious belief to cope. As without wishing to take sides, some may argue that expecting a mythical deity to help you through it could also be superficial. It's just how people cope, there's no right or wrong way, whatever helps really.

 

[Hobbit]

Openly expressing your feelings/condolences actually helps with things like PTSD. The moving of a memory from front of brain to the 'filing cabinet' at the back of the brain is essential in reconciling your feelings and moving on. And then, of course, there's the feeling that you are not alone and are in fact supported in your grief. Each to their own but I wouldn't decry anyone for showing they care.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

On the subject, I'm not sure I "get" the many "RIP" posts/pictures/threads on forums, or facebook or such like.

Why do people do this? 99% of the time, they never knew the person, or had any interaction with them. Seems like an easy get out, to show that you're emotionally involved, without actually having to do anything.

 

[MegaSteve]

On the subject, I'm not sure I "get" the many "RIP" posts/pictures/threads on forums, or facebook or such like.

Why do people do this? 99% of the time, they never knew the person, or had any interaction with them. Seems like an easy get out, to show that you're emotionally involved, without actually having to do anything.

Modern day version of Book of Condolence?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Masses of flowers, Facebook pages, night time vigils when you don't know the people etc. I'm with CheltenhamHacker, I also don't understand the need for it. I read the other side, why people do it and I certainly don't dismiss it but I guess it is not for me. People seem to need to make their grief or sadness very public now.

I do think it began with Di, I don't remember it happening before then.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Modern day version of Book of Condolence?

I'm not 100% what this is, but I imagine you had to at least go to the funeral for this?

Nowadays it seems to be a race as to who can "break the news" and put RIP, or who can be the most upset about it.

 

[lex!]

I am also with CheltenhamHacker. OTT, public display of grief. I remember driving past Broadlands after Di. It was a sea of flowers outside, and she'd only ever visited once.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It's just showing respect for fellow people when they pass away and give condolences

 

[FairwayDodger]

I don't get it either. It's obviously a tragic event but I don't know why people with no connection feel the need to grieve.

But neither do I see it as an adverse effect of the decline in religious belief (which can only be a good thing incidentally).

I find it objectionable when they hold high profile religious ceremonies for the victims of some disaster, regardless of the religious beliefs held by those victims. I've made sure my other half knows that if I am unfortunate enough to be involved in such a tragedy that I don't want any religious organisation hijacking my death for their own ends.....

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

It's just showing respect for fellow people when they pass away and give condolences

Is it really showing much respect though? A two second "RIP" on facebook, or a post on here. Doesn't seem that respectful to me.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Is it really showing much respect though? A two second "RIP" on facebook, or a post on here. Doesn't seem that respectful to me.

Why doesn't it ?

It's a bad accident that has seen a number of innocent people lose their lives

Saying RIP is just a little way to pass condolences to the families affected

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I don't get it either. It's obviously a tragic event but I don't know why people with no connection feel the need to grieve.

But neither do I see it as an adverse effect of the decline in religious belief (which can only be a good thing incidentally).

I find it objectionable when they hold high profile religious ceremonies for the victims of some disaster, regardless of the religious beliefs held by those victims. I've made sure my other half knows that if I am unfortunate enough to be involved in such a tragedy that I don't want any religious organisation hijacking my death for their own ends.....

My thinking was that in the past when church attendance was significantly greater than today and many held a religious faith and a belief in a God - folks could deal with such events simply through prayer and reflection - they didn't need any other outlet for concern or grief they felt. However in the lack of any such belief system only outward demonstrations are available - and so we see the flowers, and other public displays of grief.

And I'm too also not a fan of sometimes far too grandiose religious ceremonies for the victims and families of - or indeed a passing RIP on facebook for someone I didn't really know or know at all. I don't need to say it to everyone - everyione doesn't need to know - I can simply pray it.

But maybe those families facing the loss find comfort in an old fashioned way - through the service - even although they might not generally identify themselves with any real religious beliefs. Many of us still go to church for major life events and important days in the religious calendar so I guess there is still something there for non-believers.