bbc 1 tonight..the human body showing a man with cancer in his final minutes and taking his last breath..

[stokemaveric]

surely this should not be shown,he might have given consent,but is it taboo??..on a personal level i could not watch this,it would bring back too many bad memories..surely this should be a private moment with the family..death should not be turned into some sort ofr soap opera to boost tv ratings..

[Bbbananas]

I agree stoke - but if the man himself did consent to it then who are we to object, we don't have to watch it.

I could in some way perhaps help some people? I don't mean in a soap opera sort of way, but to gain an understanding of the death process?

[tamborine]

Long Lost Family is on ITV at 8pm....there's always an alternative !

[Bbbananas]

Oh, LLF - now that does make me blubber. Every week.

[tamborine]

I've got it written on my hand - so I wont forget....am such a numbskull :)

[AB Editor]

Something more cheerful? How about this on BBC4:

The End of the World? A Horizon Guide to Armageddon

Thursday 12 May
9:00pm - 10:00pm
BBC4

Dallas Campbell delves into the Horizon archive to find out how scientists have tried to predict the end of the world, from natural disasters to killer diseases and asteroid impact. He asks whether science will be able to save the human race when the apocalypse eventually arrives.

[milly143]

I don't see a problem with it. I might watch it if I happen to be around but It would be my choice to watch, in a hopeuflly respectable manner, a man who asked for his death to be shown publicly. It has been well publicised to those who don't want to see it, can chose to avoid it.

[tamborine]

Go away Ed - I've only got small hands :)

[Slooow_Jo]

Wasn't the same thing done a few years ago?

[DEN53]

I will be avoiding and watching Three in Bed - I cry on a daily basis now, so I need cheering up not watching this poor man in the final throws of death.

[stokemaveric]

i was in the same situation 2shortplanks almost 3 years ago with my dad too..and my sentiments are exactly the same as yours... that moment still brings tears to my eyes too..and always will...

[stokemaveric]

sorry ed...ill pop over to chatterbank and pick some horses out for later...lol

[DEN53]

2shortplanks - I love Pingu aswell....(:o)

[Cowtipper]

I saw a baby born on tv when I was a little kid. I could have lived forever without that image. An honest image of death might help some people cope when it comes.

[tamborine]

I witnessed same when OH died in hospital & had to cover his face from the constant stream of rubber-necks at the window.

[AB Editor]

In all seriousness though - even if it is done with taste and consent then there will still be an issue. The problem with passive visual mediums like TV is that it can desensitize you from the reality of the situation - you won't feel the full effect and as such it become voyeuristic.

All the best,

Spare

[stokemaveric]

thats what i meant to say ed...lol....

[Khandro]

One can't help remembering the Woody Allen quip; 'I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to be around when it happens'.

[Purple_Popple]

Depends on the person, I will watch it as death fascinates me - we have all got to get there, like most people I have witnessed the death of close family members, some deaths were peaceful others have been long, drawn out and quite draining to see....as this now deceased gentleman gave his consent to be filmed then I really dont see any problem with it, we are no longer living in the stone ages...but if this isnt for you then there are other programmes on.