Being back in the good ‘ole USA feels like such an indulgence in so many ways. For example, have you ever noticed how many frozen waffle choices we have in this country? I counted nearly 20 in my local market. Anyway, one indulgence that I’ve been partaking in is streaming Netflix to TV. It’s pretty amazing. Especially if you like documentaries. And I do.
Into the Deep, originally aired on PBS, traces “the history of the American whaling industry from its 17th-century origins in drift and shore whaling off the coast of New England and Cape Cod, through the golden age of deep ocean whaling, and on to its demise in the decades following the American Civil War.”
“For hundreds of years, the whaling industry was intricately bound up with American commerce and culture with the process and products of whaling, including shipbuilding, sailmaking, coopering, backsmithing, rope making, underwriting, and the manufacture of lamp oil, industrial lubricants, candles, corsets, and perfumes. At the industry’s peak from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries, American whale oil helped light the world, illuminating, powering and lubricating the first phases of the industrial revolution.”
It is more than a little dry at times, but, most interestingly, it makes the case for whaling as an imperative element in establishing the world dominating USA that we all know and love. Who knew what a massive role whales and whaling had in developing this country?
Who knew that this country was built on oppression, cruelty, and slaughter? Hmm. Familiar story, different species.
No doubt. I thoroughly enjoy Netflix documentaries. Indeed whaling ‘may’ have been necessary through the boom of America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today whaling that continues on an industrial level mainly in Japan is completely and utterly an act of human cruelty. We as humans have developed and discovered ways to power our society to where whaling is absolutely unnecessary. Taking into consideration the Inuit Native People of Greenland and Eskimo Natives of Alaska whaling is a ‘Way of Life’ for survival. Japan on the other hand is slaughtering(not a word to take lightly)whales at a horrific rate. Japan is a very well ‘advanced’ culture in society to never have to murder such a beautiful creature of God. I am sure most surfers have watched the documentary ‘The Cove’ and witnessed another malicious act of murder committed by the Japanese on bottlenose dolphins. This goes to show that there is something ‘deeper’ occurring here than fishing. To corral into a ‘cove’ another most intelligent and beautiful Godly creatures such as dolphins and stab them to death is absolutely psychopathic or clinically insane in my opinion and MUST be stopped. More power to the Sea Shepard group that continues to battle this atrocious act of man.
WHY IS IT NOT COOL TO PROTECT AFRICAN CHILDREN the same way we try to protect whales???
oh yeah cant build a SURF CAREER around saving children. right PASTAovich
If a particular cause calls to you, you should by all means participate.
why was it never cool to save AMERICAN children who are homeless, parentless, ill or injured? Do something and stop criticizing others. There are plenty of causes to go around. The key is actually acting and not just complaining.