Sometimes, as decrepit as our traditional media corporations are, they suffer from an outbreak of human decency. Kudos to the St. Petersburg Times for this obituary about a hit-and-run victim. Here’s why they ran it:
Shortly after the St. Petersburg Times announced Mr. Smith’s death on its website, a reader posted a comment stating the following: A man who is working as a dishwasher at the Crab Shack at the age of 48 is surely better off dead.
Web editors removed the comment, deeming it an offensive and insensitive insult to a dead man’s friends and family. Though hardly unusual — check out the comments beneath stories about any recent tragedy — this one spurred the Times to make Mr. Smith the subject of this story, as a reminder that every life matters.
This much is certain about Mr. Smith: A number of people miss him.
Read why here. As someone once said, “all labor has worth.”
mikethemadbiologist
In this economy, I would propose that Mr. Smith was doing rather well.
In addition, I’d rather be a dishwasher than Bernie Madoff. Integrity, intrinsic character, and social altruism depend on it.
Washing dishes sure as hell is important work.
This story is going to stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Mike, for pointing me to it. Quality of life is a subjective thing, and we owe it to each other to remember that. In the end, we also owe each other dignity and respect as human beings. I’d like to know this reporter.