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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help settle a rather strange debate.

55 replies

CircusDebate · 12/08/2023 16:09

Please help to settle a rather odd and slightly morbid debate.

I attended a circus recently as did a friend. She complained that she could see nets when the acrobats, trapeze and other high flying acts performed and that it'd be more exciting without them.

Personally I'd hope to see nets. The performance would not be improved imo by potentially seeing someone severely injured or killed. It'd be ruined. She thinks that it spoiled the performance. I think their skills are impressive enough without the likely risk of someone falling to the ground.

So AIBU to think that safety measures don't ruin a performance?

OP posts:
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sueelleker · 14/08/2023 16:26

Does she stop and gawk at road traffic accidents too?

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 14/08/2023 16:06

You know the outcome if they fall and it's that they'll bounce nicely and carry on with the act. So whilst I agree it's wise they use a net and obviously I wouldn't want to see anyone fall to their death your friend does have a point.

No, the outcome if they fall is that they feel horrible professional embarrassment, maybe also personal shame; knowing that they have failed on this occasion in full view of the whole paying audience who were relying on them to be able to do it and wow them, and who could now tell all their friends about 'the rubbish acrobat' (like any of them could ever do it themselves) - they may well have taken photos/footage and upload it online for all to see their moment of failure.

An actual risk of death or serious lifelong disability should never be at stake for the sake of people's entertainment, though - I would hate to visit the mind of anybody who genuinely believed that it should.

Schemes · 14/08/2023 15:58

Don't go down a dark alley with her. She's nuts.

BMW6 · 14/08/2023 15:57

Well if the nets weren't there MOST people wouldn't be able to watch through fear!

Your friend is a psycho.

JapaneseSlipper · 14/08/2023 15:54

That was to fullbloom87

JapaneseSlipper · 14/08/2023 15:49

No, I disagree.

There are two ways of looking at these sorts of acts.

One is the (outmoded, in my view) “death defying!!” aspect.

The other is the appreciation of skill and spectacle, as a PP put it - the simple act of watching someone do something impressive.

I’m not on the edge of my seat thinking “oooh, someone might die!” when I see someone on a trapeze. Rather, I’m enjoying their movements, their ability, their costume, the choreography.

Your friend OP, is only interested in the former.

ilovetomatosoup · 12/08/2023 23:42

bet your friend watched squid game on Netflix and now thinks everything should be done this way?

Baldieheid · 12/08/2023 22:32

Your friend is a sociopath. Seriously, how sick do you have to be to think like that?

fullbloom87 · 12/08/2023 22:30

Shoot me down but hear me out. The whole point of going to watch a stunt type circus show is to keep you on the edge of your seat with the acrobats. If there's a net there is no edge of your seat. You know the outcome if they fall and it's that they'll bounce nicely and carry on with the act. So whilst I agree it's wise they use a net and obviously I wouldn't want to see anyone fall to their death your friend does have a point.

Thewallsof · 12/08/2023 22:00

Your friend is a dickhead. Is she OK?

WenchEyeBall · 12/08/2023 21:58

It's such a shame that we don't have criminals fighting tigers, or captured enemy soldiers trying to kill each other with tridents too

Original poster
CircusDebate · 12/08/2023 19:04

Thanks all. She was definitely serious. She's a new friend so we're still getting to know one another but she hasn't shown any other strange signs. I'll keep an eye out though. I did find her comments to be rather disturbing.

OP posts:
10HailMarys · 12/08/2023 18:59

Your friend is a twat.

Americano75 · 12/08/2023 18:58

I'm going to guess that your mate used to pull the wings off insects when she was a kid.

MargaretThursday · 12/08/2023 18:47

DD did some performances with a circus when she was about 10yo. There was so much about safety and watching each other to make sure they were safe. I suppose the nets are more obvious than some things but if you asked them to remove the safety equipment then I think you'd get an eye roll at best. The idea is that some of the acts are dangerous, otherwise there's not the entertainment.

Bassetlover · 12/08/2023 18:40

A few years ago I saw Circe du Soleil in Vegas. Towards the end of the performance an acrobat fell a considerable distance, it was awful to watch. The performance ended abruptly after a group of paramedics rushed on and a ambulance was called. Luckily the poor man was OK.

Why would you wish that on anyone or want to watch it?
Is your friend the type who enjoys seeing cars crash during the Grand Prix?

mawbroon · 12/08/2023 18:28

My friends and I say stuff like this, but in a dark humour type of way. None of us would ever actually mean it though.

Was she totally serious?

Theunamedcat · 12/08/2023 18:12

I remember the death of Owen Hart entirely preventable and live on TV they even continued the show with a bloodstained and slightly broken wrestling ring

Is your friend vince McMan?

MrsMarzetti · 12/08/2023 18:11

Book your friend a circus workshop and ask them to remove the nets.

Mumof2teens79 · 12/08/2023 18:10

CircusDebate · 12/08/2023 16:09

Please help to settle a rather odd and slightly morbid debate.

I attended a circus recently as did a friend. She complained that she could see nets when the acrobats, trapeze and other high flying acts performed and that it'd be more exciting without them.

Personally I'd hope to see nets. The performance would not be improved imo by potentially seeing someone severely injured or killed. It'd be ruined. She thinks that it spoiled the performance. I think their skills are impressive enough without the likely risk of someone falling to the ground.

So AIBU to think that safety measures don't ruin a performance?

It doesn't make it any less difficult or less impressive...if they perform the stunt thats equally impressive.

And so it allows them to do more dangerous stunts they wouldn't risk if there wasn't a net, and gives them confidence so you probably get a better act.

Apart from any else it's probably a legal nightmare for the circus owners.

It's real life and real people, not a film with cgi and able to edit out safety nets and wires in the edit!

MysteryBelle · 12/08/2023 18:05

Should have said ‘Oh I agree totally! Make sure you don’t put your seatbelt on when we get back in the car. What would be the fun in that?’ And give her a little sinister smile.

MysteryBelle · 12/08/2023 17:58

Want might to keep an eye on that one, Op. She is twisted. I don’t think I could be friends with someone who wishes there were no safety nets under the performers. What??

Sparklesocks · 12/08/2023 17:56

I guess it’s not entertainment unless there’s a chance someone could plummet to their death in front of you 😒

ilovetomatosoup · 12/08/2023 17:44

I would be concerned what your friend considers to be entertainment. Watching people crash to the ground is not a bundle of fun to watch.

Blossomtoes · 12/08/2023 17:42

Does your friend think skydiving without a parachute would be more exciting? 🙄

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