A new-technology moral question

[editionshield]

This came up today and I'm sorta curious as to what individual folks might think of it in general:

Is it OK to use Twitter during a funeral service?


(Specific context, in the case that came up: Reporter tweeting about the funeral of a famous person. NOT tweeting from a newspaper's account, however, but from a personal one.)

[HORNSPANKED]

Originally Posted by editionshield

This came up today and I'm sorta curious as to what individual folks might think of it in general:

Is it OK to use Twitter during a funeral service?


(Specific context, in the case that came up: Reporter tweeting about the funeral of a famous person. NOT tweeting from a newspaper's account, however, but from a personal one.)

No. IMO it's pretty damned disrespectful. But what else is new these days.

[editionshield]

I'd have to agree. Wondered if there might be some difference of opinion. Just seemed to me like the wrong thing to do, regardless of the circumstances. (But I'm also not a Twitter-head in general, so wasn't sure if those who use it might think differently.)

[Bitterwhiteguy]

Originally Posted by editionshield

I'd have to agree. Wondered if there might be some difference of opinion. Just seemed to me like the wrong thing to do, regardless of the circumstances. (But I'm also not a Twitter-head in general, so wasn't sure if those who use it might think differently.)

Not acceptable. I don't think it's any different than sending a text/email during the funeral.

[Vinegar Strokes]

What was the tweet? If it was "Mr. Jones will be missed" then I don't have a problem with it. If it was "I can't believe Mr. Jones' wife wore that dress," then it's pretty inappropriate.

[Duke Silver]

Unless it's "Holy ****! Someone just hijacked the funeral procession. Call cops!" then I'm going to say it's completely unacceptable. If you're going to go to a funeral (even if it's not a personal friend or family member), at least show some respect to the family and friends of the deceased.

[editionshield]

Originally Posted by Vinegar Strokes

What was the tweet? If it was "Mr. Jones will be missed" then I don't have a problem with it. If it was "I can't believe Mr. Jones' wife wore that dress," then it's pretty inappropriate.

Worthy question, VS. They were basically tasteful bits, mostly along the lines of reporting what speakers were saying. Here was one:

>>
Laughs and music at Pinetop's Austin funeral. Margolin describes Pine's snoring as 'two mules being trampled by cattle.'
>>


My feeling was more like, whether or not there was "news value" to a broader audience in it, a funeral service is just an event that should be limited to those in the room.

I don't think what was tweeted in this case was in bad taste. But the act of tweeting itself was not in good taste, in my opinion.

[Vinegar Strokes]

Originally Posted by editionshield

Worthy question, VS. They were basically tasteful bits, mostly along the lines of reporting what speakers were saying. Here was one:

>>
Laughs and music at Pinetop's Austin funeral. Margolin describes Pine's snoring as 'two mules being trampled by cattle.'
>>


My feeling was more like, whether or not there was "news value" to a broader audience in it, a funeral service is just an event that should be limited to those in the room.

I don't think what was tweeted in this case was in bad taste. But the act of tweeting itself was not in good taste, in my opinion.

I'm not wild about giving people play-by-play, but I really wouldn't have cared if it was something genuine, with no agenda behind it. People grieve in different ways, and if someone wants to grieve in a public forum like that, it wouldn't bother me.

Just to be clear, I wouldn't do it, nor am I all that wild about it, but I wouldn't be offended by someone expressing genuine grief while at the funeral.

[TOK2000]

Definitely bad form and shows lack of respect. I mean is there anything going on that couldn't wait till after the funeral to be texted, tweeted, facebooked, whatever?

[NeverAgain]

Originally Posted by editionshield

Is it OK to use Twitter during a funeral service?

Is that a serious question ed ?

If it is, I just lowered you on my respect scale a notch.

[editionshield]

Originally Posted by NeverAgain

Is that a serious question ed ?

If it is, I just lowered you on my respect scale a notch.

I'm not really worried too much about your respect-level for me, NA!

Besides, if you've read further in the thread, you've seen my take on it.

This grew out of a discussion among some FB friends on this very subject. Most folks objected but one or two felt like they were OK with it in the particular circumstance involved.

I was interested in some other opinions, particularly removed from the situation, and this place provided a chance to get some other thoughts on it.

Appreciate the thoughts of those who responded.

[TENHORN]

My .02 is that it is not proper or respectful. We go to funerals to pay our "respects".

[editionshield]

Yeah, that's how I felt too.

I guess there is a little bit of precedent in regard to famous people; Lady Di's funeral was televised live to the world, for instance. Although I'm not sure it should have been. A public memorial service, maybe, but it seemed strange to me at the time that the actual funeral was being shown. And I think for the very reason someone else on the thread mentioned -- because regardless of how many people were familiar with the person, it's important to grant the private moment to that smaller group who actually knew & lived with them.

And obviously Pinetop Perkins wasn't as famous as Lady Di, although locally in Austin he had become rightfully quite renowned (and in the larger blues community as a whole). But, same deal; there were those at the funeral to whom Pinetop was something more than a celebrity; as such, it seems to me that should've been respected by the Statesman guy who tweeted play-by-play.


I was wondering whether new technology was somehow changing attitudes about this kind of thing. I suppose it may be for some folks, but it seems like the responses here suggest that the vast majority would still feel otherwise.

[SAhornfan]

If tweeting at a funeral is now becoming socially acceptable can pulling a Chazz Reinhold be far behind?

[NeverAgain]

Originally Posted by editionshield

I'm not really worried too much about your respect-level for me, NA!

Do you also have questions as to whether farting loudly during communion is appropriate ?

Booger-eating whilst giving the keynote address ?

Pissing in the debutante punchbowl ?

[editionshield]

Originally Posted by NeverAgain

Do you also have questions as to whether farting loudly during communion is appropriate ?

Booger-eating whilst giving the keynote address ?

Pissing in the debutante punchbowl ?

So farting quietly is cool, then?

[NeverAgain]

Originally Posted by editionshield

So farting quietly is cool, then?

correct - even cooler if they aren't SBD's.

[golfhorn]

Tweeting at a funeral is not OK, ever.

RIP Pinetop

Helluva blues man

[Vinegar Strokes]

Originally Posted by golfhorn

Tweeting at a funeral is not OK, ever.

Why? I don't understand why some are so concerned with what anyone else does at a funeral. I don't agree with the person that edition is talking about, but I'm not against this no matter what.

If I'm at a funeral and the deceased's wife, or brother, or mother, or son feels they need to tweet their emotions during the funeral, who am I to tell them they're wrong? Everyone mourns in different ways, why does anyone feel the need to tell someone their method isn't appropriate?

Now, I'm not saying that nothing is off limits, but if it's true mourning, it's not going to bother me.

[Duke Silver]

Originally Posted by Vinegar Strokes

Why? I don't understand why some are so concerned with what anyone else does at a funeral. I don't agree with the person that edition is talking about, but I'm not against this no matter what.

If I'm at a funeral and the deceased's wife, or brother, or mother, or son feels they need to tweet their emotions during the funeral, who am I to tell them they're wrong? Everyone mourns in different ways, why does anyone feel the need to tell someone their method isn't appropriate?

Now, I'm not saying that nothing is off limits, but if it's true mourning, it's not going to bother me.

I simply don't believe someone who is tweeting is truly in mourning. They're being narcissistic and crass. They could try rationalize to me that it's "how they mourn," but at some point it stops being about what is claimed to be in the heart and head and more about how appearances seem to the outside world.

I will judge them for it--judge them harshly.