Response to Whales R Us

In this essay, Jayme Stayer is unveiling the dark side of a place not many people would suspect of having a dark side; Sea World. He begins his essay by narrating his experience that he had during a bird show at Sea World. At one point in the showing, the blonde woman who was doing the act revealed a few parrots of which she said “our ancestors brought from Africa.” Stayer points out that the only African ancestors we had from that time period were slaves that were brought on the European settler ships. And that since slaves were not allowed to carry birds on the boats, the woman should have said something more along the lines of “These parrots were brought to America by our European ancestors.” Sea World Stayer says is trying to present their guests with an educational experience, teaching them about different cultures, of the animals that the ill advised public knows nothing about, and about how animals should not be taken from the wild and placed in captivity. The latter “educational purpose” of Sea World, I found to be quite ironic. For the very place that houses captive animals and displays them for anyone to see, is supposedly teaching the public that it’s wrong to captivate wild animals. Later in the essay Stayer states that he believes Sea World is attempting to hide something from the public. Stayer believes that Sea World is holding a tight grip on what and how their visitors think. And that there are questions just waiting to spring to the surface of a tourists mind, that Sea World does not want to have to answer. Stayer says that Sea World should call notions of science into question, in an actual attempt to educate the public, rather than thrusting their ideas and ideals onto the unsuspecting public. Stayer makes one final analysis of Sea World and concludes that Sea World does not accomplish anything. Yet advises everyone to take a trip to Sea World anyway saying “…Who can remain unimpressed when a mammal the size of a Mack truck lifts itself out of the water? As for Sea World itself: If aided by earplugs and skepticism you can ignore what they’re trying to teach you, you just might learn something.”



Writing Stragey #4 - How does Stayer use Sea World to make broader points about American culture?

Stayer says that "Sea World is a reflection of American culture: a consequence, not a cause; a mirror of consumerist desires, not a promoter of political change via education."
In this comparison, Stayer is alluding that the American culture is not a culture that causes events into effect; but rather that the American culture simply acknowledges what has happened, and changes the way we view events in order to tailor to the desires of the consumerist public that America is overgrown with. That we are not promoting anything thought provoking or stimulating ideas, rather making them all "politically correct." which is the opposite of progression.

Exploring ideas #1 - Based on this essay how is the way Stayer that Stayer sees entertainment parks similar to or different from the way you see them?

Stayer and I have quite a few differing beliefs, as far as entertainment parks goes.
I believe that entertainment parks are purposed and designed to meet exactly that criteria; entertainment.
Whereas Stayer believes that entertainment parks should incorporate an educational experience, in an effort to teach the public something, and to challenge our beliefs.