Discussion Do you think it's disrespectful when people visit things like The Titanic? Poll

[Forever Sleep]

Once, I saw a competition to join a group of researchers I imagine to see The Titanic. (Not Oceangate.) I really wanted to win it because the whole thing fascinated me but I remember my Godfather saying the site was a grave and it was disrespectful to view it as some sort of tourist attraction.

I saw his point. I'm not sure I totally agreed with it. It does make sense to behave reverently where people have lost their lives. It's debatable whether it actually benefits them now- depends on what you believe I suppose but, there are still going to be relatives and some who still remember the disaster itself.

Obviously, researchers and historians are something else. I imagine people would understand why it's important for them to visit and document such things.

But, regular people- tourists if you like. Do you think that is disrespectful?

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

I think it's been long enough after the Titanic that it's unlikely that many who were directly personally affected by the tragedy would even be around to take offense. As more time passes it just cements itself as another piece of history so I don't see the harm in letting curious tourists indulge in some learning.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I think it's been long enough after the Titanic that it's unlikely that many who were directly personally affected by the tragedy would even be around to take offense. As more time passes it just cements itself as another piece of history so I don't see the harm in letting curious tourists indulge in some learning.

That's similar to how I felt. I think these things are time sensitive. If we couldn't go where people had died at one point, we'd end up not being able to go anywhere!

But still, I liked my Godfather's consideration for other people. I think some of it is in the behaviour too. I think people can still visit these sorts of places but, not be flippant about it. Remember what happened there type of thing.

Abandoned, decaying places fascinate me in general. I think it's some disturbing reflection of my psyche...

 

[rozeske]

I'd assume it would in a way be remembering and honoring the dead so long us you are not doing extra disrespectful things there. I don't know but wouldn't being visited and remembered be better than being sealed off collecting dust and whatnot and just being forgotten. On the other hand think about the tons of generation that's passed on before us and completely forgotten, it in a way feels like a privilege to still be remembered, of course letting go of the tragedy that happened to them. I guess one could also argue being left alone to rest in peace would be better...

 

[Downdraft]

It's history. People have right to knowlegde.

In fact, hiding history from people will only repeat it. Those aren't things to hide, but to educate about.

 

[Thisisnotaname]

What about other historics places ? I assume people paid for associations or something

 

[broken_stoic]

The act of visiting to site itself I don't think is necessarily disrespectful at this point. That being said, I think people should treat the site with a certain amount of reverence, and not everyone will.