tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post2013017190073900171..comments2023-05-24T06:02:06.480-05:00Comments on Chuck's Chatter: A Growing Sense of RevulsionChuck Doswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-37549895126881037802012-02-08T00:05:36.279-06:002012-02-08T00:05:36.279-06:00OK, I'll keep this as short as possible. First...OK, I'll keep this as short as possible. Firstly for some perspective, I live and chase in Western Australia, so I am undoubtedly 'out of touch' with how things happen 'on the plains'. However, I still feel able and compelled to offer my opinion on a couple of points.<br />First and foremost I have to take exception with Blake K's assertion that Chuck is 'part of the problem'. I have never met Chuck Doswell however I am VERY well versed in his work and career details and with all due respect, to accuse him of being part of the problem is quite frankly laughable. At the risk of drawing Chuck's ire under the 'no sycophant' rule, (which I assure you I am not) EVERYONE within the scientific and chase communities is aware of Chuck's enormous contribution to the field over many years and that his achievements speak for themself.<br /><br />Second point I'd like to raise is that whilst I have the utmost admiration for Reed and his team, they have undoubtedly become 'suckered in' to the whole TV fame game and the nett result has seen them put up on some kind of pedestal within parts of the chaser community and to the uninitiated they have become the 'official' face of chasing. The problem being, Reed has (rightly or wrongly) 'earned' the reckless tag and in certain sectors this is seen as COOL with all the potential copy-cat ramifications this may have. He has possbily and quite unwittingly been responsible for the second 'wave' of chasers out on the plains, (some of whom are dangerously of ill-equipped and dubiously-motivated) Twister of course being the catalyst for the unprecedented primary explosion of numbers. <br /><br />I fear that it is only a matter of time until a chaser (or team) become the 'chased' with tragic consequence and that may then force the hand of the authorities to act by whatever available means against chasing, which would clearly not be in the best interests of the scientific community and consequently the wider community at large.<br /><br />Again, this is written from the perspective of an overseas chaser limited to internet and cable coverage of events.<br /><br />Regards<br />Kris Wetton. Western AustraliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-4943523680649678162011-07-18T10:15:36.120-05:002011-07-18T10:15:36.120-05:00Dear sir, I wrote another blog post, warning peopl...Dear sir, I wrote another blog post, warning people that it is preferable to take shelter to trying to film tornadoes if they dont know what they are doing, mentioned you by name... hope you don't mind. -C. ChapmanThe Synaptic Dissidenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939382445053193117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-84721738329955987872011-07-17T19:14:34.564-05:002011-07-17T19:14:34.564-05:00I stand corrected. I can also share your dismay wi...I stand corrected. I can also share your dismay with those who do not act responsibly WRT these matters. With the explosion and almost free availability of video-audio recording equipment you're going to see an explosion of "tornado chasing". Its rather like the part in Forrest Gump where he just started running across the nation for the heck of it and pretty soon he had acquired a mass following. You have to admit one thing, when it comes to tornado photography, you were a Forrest Gump. And you have indeed started a trend. I would definitely write a book about all of those experiences if I were you and try to point people toward the smart way and the safe way. It IS maddening to see videos on Youtube (if you search for "driver in car hit by tornado" you will see what i mean) of people taking absolutely senseless risks. You are a gold mine of knowledge and wisdom when it comes to these matters, maybe you ought to toot your own horn a little louder when it comes to staying safe. If it means ONE person heeding your advice and turning back when he might have gotten killed it will be well worth it. -C. ChapmanThe Synaptic Dissidenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939382445053193117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-26889142705587848702011-07-17T17:56:49.827-05:002011-07-17T17:56:49.827-05:00Hi Chuck, I'm an older storm chaser who is lea...Hi Chuck, I'm an older storm chaser who is learning to moderate his enthusiasm for storms with reality checks and a shift towards prioritizing relationships with people. I remember how at least one time you mentioned in your blogs how people that are all consumed with storm chasing to the neglect of other matters should GET A LIFE. Well, thats exactly what I am doing! <br /><br /> My wife an I have been separated for 3 years. She moved to England in July 2008, and I am currently working on reconciliation. Where was I on May 24 2011 which was a big tornado day in Oklahoma? I was in England celebrating my twins 16th birthday! My girls need their dad. Soon they will be grown up and gone and I'll never be able to recapture the opportunities that were lost. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ME TO CHANGE PRIORITIES. At 66, I know I wont live forever. When I stand before that Great MIC in the Sky and He asks me what I did with my life, He wont be asking for any tornado videos or rainfall records. He'll be asking, what did you do with the relationships I placed in your life? Did people in your life always feel that they were playing second fiddle to storms and storm chansing? <br /><br />I respect your position as an atheist. But even as a Christian, I overwhelmingly agree with you that storm chasers should never ignore the harsh reality of what storm damage does to peoples lives, or resort to heartless whooping it up at public expense. What I have read in some of your advice for storm chasers was very practical: Plan well, obey the local traffic laws, be safety conscious, dont core punch, and USE COMMON SENSE! <br /><br />You may remember me from October 2009 at the NWA meeting in Norfolk: Steve Flood, Meteorologist at HPC.Steve Floodhttp://ssflood04@msn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-89509360330281087252011-07-17T13:51:23.462-05:002011-07-17T13:51:23.462-05:00Mr. Chapman,
It's not true that I like to &qu...Mr. Chapman,<br /><br />It's not true that I like to "trash" all amateur photographers - just those who behave with no sense of responsibility.Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-83305296165582176272011-07-17T11:16:07.402-05:002011-07-17T11:16:07.402-05:00I can understand what you are saying. I am one of ...I can understand what you are saying. I am one of those "amateur" photographers you like to trash. However... I go about it a little bit differently than most... <br /><br />Its no lie to say that a lot of the videos are pretty garish. However, if you view mine, (my sole one) you might hear alot of "worthless commentary" but in actuality that was me carrying on about it with a good deal of anxiety. My kids were inside hovering in the bathtub covered up with as many blankets and pillows as could be. I went outdoors and filmed it for about two minutes before I lost my nerve, even though it was heading away. (The tornadoes in New York aren't squat compared to the ones that the Midwest has to suffer on a regular basis)<br /><br />The one I saw up close and personal at a military evolution during a sudden severe thunderstorm would have made an AWESOME video. However, despite having had a video enhanced phone on me, I was content to hunker down and keep my eyes on the damn thing as it passed several yards to my left. I hadn't even realized at the time what I was looking at, but this EF-0 successfully blew down the battalion aid station tent, and the corpsman was giving out triages in her car. (No one was injured thankfully)<br /><br />Due to my declining health, I have contented myself with the fact that "chasing tornadoes" is a thing of the past, if they come to me, fine. If I remember the video camera phone, great. If I can avoid getting myself or others hurt, all the better. I think however there is more than enough tornado footage going around. I think I do better to pass the tornado warning or tornado emergency on to my social networking sites and then batten down the hatches. My interest is not so much making a name for myself, not so much about acting like an ass, as it is to truly save lives. In the face of a terrifying monster such as the one that ripped through Joplin, 500 camera owners running around like hooligans wasn't going to do a damn thing.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />C. ChapmanThe Synaptic Dissidenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939382445053193117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-63253804459411509502011-06-01T07:59:49.493-05:002011-06-01T07:59:49.493-05:00Dear Dr. Doswell, thank you for posting this blog....Dear Dr. Doswell, thank you for posting this blog. Clearly there are a multitude of attitudes regarding tornadoes, storm "chasing" (and subsequent "catching"), and all of the human emotions that accompany such a pursuit. In my younger "chasing" days, I was much the same: wild-eyed with excitement and beaming with enthusiasm. Now that I'm an old dog, I like to think I've evolved at least a bit, into more of a "Storm Observer or Scientist". Being an AMS Meteorologist certainly changes my perspective of the type of events we've seen lately.<br /><br />I cannot, and will not pass judgment upon anyone else who engages in this activity, because I am no better nor worse than any other human being. All I can do is set an example, each time I take the field.<br /><br />Your perspective on the situation is greatly appreciated. I enjoyed your talk at the National Storm Chaser Convention a few years ago, when you highlighted "safe chasing" and brought this into the forefront, ahead of your time as always.<br /><br />I feel fortunate to be associated with media as well as with NOAA and NWS. These professions have given me the perspective to not only appreciate the power of severe weather, but also the ability to empathize with those who are affected by it.<br /><br />I happen to agree with some of the posts here, regarding change and how difficult it is to bring about. While this is a grave concern to me, it is beyond my power to control it. Living, and "chasing" by example is about all I can do, along with counseling those who wish to get into the hobby or science.<br /><br />Thanks, Chuck.<br />~Steve Hamilton 6.1.2011Steve Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14985132726925028395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-85844247902261048432011-05-29T22:39:10.089-05:002011-05-29T22:39:10.089-05:00Chuck
The recent run of killer tornadoes reveals ...Chuck<br /><br />The recent run of killer tornadoes reveals two needs from the meteorologist and chaser communities.<br /><br />As you stated, some editing could go a long way, to lessen the "thrill ride" and "sadistic chaser" aspect that seems to be emerging in media. In order for the videos to be newsworthy, however, some of the excitement must be presented. A sense of urgency is a real factor with coverage of storms.<br /><br />Second, and I think the most important, is that we MUST ramp up forecasting of these storms. Not the NWS warnings and SPC watches, which are usually spot on and more than timely. But rather the LONGER TERM outlooks which I find are badly lacking. In all of the cases of fatal twister outbreaks this spring, the numerical models portrayed the hyper-severe scenarios quite well, as much as 12 days in advance. If we could instill some fear and instruction in the public, I think we could save more lives. But face it, when an F5 roars through a heavily populated area, someone will be injured and perhaps many will die.<br /><br />Excellent essay Chuck....<br /><br />Best Regards,<br />Larry Cosgrovelarrycosgrovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824728842059066219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-82816045403705846632011-05-27T21:50:49.488-05:002011-05-27T21:50:49.488-05:00I agree to pretty much all of this post. Like you ...I agree to pretty much all of this post. Like you I feel more and more left out of this type of chasing, despite my "young gun" status. In all that I have seen from in the storm chasing community on television and through other media, it's a wonder that I'm even interested in this hobby anymore. I hope this will soon change.Justin Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08951308458705143487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-31024080814566590432011-05-27T18:19:40.520-05:002011-05-27T18:19:40.520-05:00re: James, re: me, re: James
I think it's a r...re: James, re: me, re: James<br /><br />I think it's a real challenge to meet the realistic warning needs of the market when the market covers such a large expanse while dealing with the sociological realities of the average TV viewer. Do people in Ardmore care when Woodward's getting slammed? And it's not something that can be helped easily because TV stations' markets have to be large enough for them to be profitable. In Oklahoma and in many other states in the Alley, that means you have to have and entertain large areas.<br /><br />Now... with the advent of digital TV broadcasts, this can be helped. TV stations can run their regular programming on the main n.1 channel, and run weather warning stuff on the subs (n.2, n.3, and so on...). They can break these down into smaller areas, or they can just have one weather sub. Either way, the choice is left to the viewer as to what they watch. The TV station should just run a crawl on the main to indicate that something's going down on the subs. Or maybe we can take a traditional turn and just put a "W" in the corner of the screen. :-)<br /><br />Or, if you're worried about people not being auto-tuned to the weather warning stuff, pre-empt the regular main-channel programming with the weather and move the regular main-channel programming to a sub.<br /><br />Either way, idiots that want to remain as such will have full control over their destinies. And so will those that are interested in seeing the weather warnings.<br /><br />Is this achievable? What do you think?Sean Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-73589514625681669072011-05-27T15:10:07.622-05:002011-05-27T15:10:07.622-05:00As much as I enjoy almost all types of weather, in...As much as I enjoy almost all types of weather, including thunderstorms, the April 27th outbreak has certainly tweaked my perspective. I look at chasing and storm spotting as a personal fascination with nature and an outlet to provide a public service. Wishing for or against storms to occur has no bearing on what nature will do. Watching a tornado destroy much of Tuscaloosa Alabama where I once lived, worked on my degrees, and started a family caused me to find those chasers who find glee in watching storms cause death and destruction more distasteful than ever. I always wanted to see a tornado like the one I saw in Tuscaloosa, but not in that situation. I felt helpless watching it approach a town I love knowing what was about to happen. Now I wish infinitely more that it never happened. One of my best friends' wife was permanently disabled by the 11/15/89 Huntsville F4. Witnessing first-hand the Tuscaloosa tornado caused me to spend the last few weeks reevaluating my love affair with weather and chasing. I have been contacted by many young, inexperienced people who think they are ready to chase but are not. I am concerned that the way chasing has been portrayed will contribute to tragedies if it hasn't already. Even some experienced and knowlegeable chasers I know seem to be in it for the publicity (and money - which makes no rational sense to me). That bothers me. I took my video camera out to film thunderstorms in the 1980s while a college student at UA before anyone ever knew my name or cared who I was. I was actually embarassed to admit to friends at the time that I was a "storm chaser". I will probably continue to do the same thing as long as I am able whether I am unknown, famous, or infamous. <br /><br />Thanks, Chuck, for your contributions to the science and also for your contributions to the idea of ethical and responsible storm chasing.Bamawxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07236286071498558362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-90275171260130782322011-05-26T11:47:03.067-05:002011-05-26T11:47:03.067-05:00Isaac ...
This issue is not being settled by a vo...Isaac ...<br /><br />This issue is not being settled by a vote of people offering comments on your video. It's a matter of being sensitive to how some people might see your reactions. You apparently lack that sensitivity.<br /><br />I certainly understood the origins of your excitement, of course. Your lack of knowledge of the eventual impacts of the tornado is irrelevant to what I'm saying. <br /><br />If you can't see why the parts of your audio where you're cheering about the tornado could be very upsetting to tornado victims, then this dialog serves no useful purpose. You may not like my analogy, but I think it's appropriate in this context.Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-71091249649380904112011-05-26T11:25:21.634-05:002011-05-26T11:25:21.634-05:00Chuck, there are people that may misunderstand the...Chuck, there are people that may misunderstand the excitement we show on video when we see tornadoes. However, judging by the vast majority of positive responses to our videos on YouTube, I'd say that those feelings represent a small minority of viewers.<br /><br />On our videos we never cheer destruction. I understand that when looking at our Joplin video in hindsight—knowing the damage that it caused—it seems a little odd that we are excited to see the tornado touch down. However, the vast majority of tornadoes that I've seen looked the same as Joplin when they touched down (weak and small). Honestly, at that time I thought it was going to be a brief touchdown. My point is, we didn't know it was going to cause death and destruction at that time!<br /><br />Our cheering is obviously at the tornado and not at the destruction. The person who you describe cheering at violence and murder is a monster. I don't appreciate being compared to that. I love watching tornadoes. I find them fascinating. I hate seeing the damage that they can do. In this video we watch and get excited for the <b>tornado</b> not a bunch of homes getting ripped up. It seems like 95% of YouTube understands that.<br /><br />Some of our "yelling" is essential communication between each other. Do you advocate that we censor that as well before we upload our video?<br /><br />If you participate in storm chasing, then you like tornadoes. If you share your pictures and video then you show people that you like tornadoes. What's the difference if you put your viewers in the car with you by sharing the audio as well?Isaac Patonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-29033866352183035202011-05-26T08:45:33.923-05:002011-05-26T08:45:33.923-05:00Isaac ...
You could solve the problem I have with...Isaac ...<br /><br />You could solve the problem I have with your whooping and cheering if you simply remove that part of your audio before you upload it in a public venue like YouTube. I'm not asking you to deny your emotions, but I <b>am</b> asking that you not go public with them, given that the events you're so excited to see may have devastating consequences to people who may see your video. Perhaps you are just now realizing that the very same thing that you seek to see is capable of killing and shattering human lives. Imagine how you would feel about yourself, to say nothing of how others might feel about you, if you were heard cheering on some video where someone dies in a traffic accident or is shot by some thug.Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-33235660965542105512011-05-26T08:37:15.878-05:002011-05-26T08:37:15.878-05:00Rob H ...
How does the "Reed argument fall f...Rob H ...<br /><br />How does the "Reed argument fall flat" because he panders to a desire within some segment of the population for sensationalism and extreme risk taking? Just because there's a market for drugs doesn't mean any argument against selling them 'falls flat'!!<br /><br />btw - I've never "thrown Reed under the bus" - I don't care much for how he goes about his business, nor do I enjoy his self-serving publicity machine, but that doesn't mean what I'm saying about what he does is a personal attack on him. I hate the message, not the messenger!<br /><br />You say "It almost seems like railing against a smaller portion of some of our culture's less desirable behavior trends." Bingo! To say <b>nothing</b> about these things implies I condone them. You'd prefer I said nothing and bowed to the inevitable, I suppose. That's just not going to happen, so perhaps <b>you</b> should bow to the inevitable: I'm not going to stop expressing my opinions just because you don't like what I'm saying - about Reed and others who put storm chasing in a bad light and encourage others to emulate risky behavior in doing so!Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-59687319888782358882011-05-25T22:57:28.376-05:002011-05-25T22:57:28.376-05:00The Reed argument falls flat if you take a minute ...The Reed argument falls flat if you take a minute to read his Facebook page or the TVN forums. The fans are thirsty for extreme tornado action, and I've witnessed some openly calling for the dissolution of the NWS for opposing Reed's stance on topics before. Others ask Reed if the tsunami from the Japanese earthquake will hit their home in Arkansas or ask Reed to comment on garden variety storms in England. These channels are nothing more than hype machines for a business, and shouldn't be taken as a serious way to educate or warn the masses because that's not why they subscribed to Reed's fan page. It is disturbing to me that these channels are (perhaps mistakenly) used in this manner to some degree, but I don't feel comfortable throwing Reed under the bus for this, because I'm certain he doesn't have an agenda to 'ruin' chasing, explicitly profit from suffering, or disband the NWS.<br /><br />As for solutions - does giving the media footage for free really help anything? It still feeds a demand for it. Refraining from selling video doesn't accomplish anything, because with the number of people chasing now someone will get video to the media. If it's not a chaser, it will be some local idiot with a cell phone camera risking their life. This isn't really even an issue with chasing, it's part of the larger problem of media sensationalism. While the movie 'Idiocracy' will not likely be added to the Criterion Collection anytime soon, it does a good job of social commentary on what content people want, and how they want it delivered, in the 21st century.<br /><br />With Roger saying that storm chasing has "now metastasized beyond cure", and Chuck saying that he doesn't necessarily have a solution, it doesn't paint a pretty picture for this idea of a return to the pristine origins of chasing. Is this even a desirable, let alone feasible, goal? It almost seems like railing against a smaller portion of some of our culture's less desirable behavior trends. Even if 'Storm Chasers' was canceled, data wasn't made available, tour companies couldn't get insured, etc. - it wouldn't stop people from using their cell phone cameras to film an approaching tornado and sending it to the local/national news, and it wouldn't stop the public from eagerly consuming it. Killing the supply of storm porn won't kill the demand, and there's really no incentive for the majority of chasers to stop providing it.Rob Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-19361508790510162562011-05-25T19:34:08.473-05:002011-05-25T19:34:08.473-05:00re: Sean, re: me
Your media accusations are unf...re: Sean, re: me<br /><br />Your media accusations are unfortunately true.<br /><br />I'm just one met at one station, but we're trying hard to buck that trend.<br /><br />We're trying hard (with management and owner support) to share information and interpretation of that information without blowing things out of proportion. I've actually heard other media meteorologists say that viewers like to be scared. Ugh.<br /><br />I don't know if there is a long-term solution, and certainly, I don't know what that would be.<br /><br />Its as if the genie is out of the bottle, and the full decent into idiocracy can't be slowed.James Aydelotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01302097160324607682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-41132481200549409012011-05-25T11:43:39.638-05:002011-05-25T11:43:39.638-05:00Since the video that my friends and I took in Jopl...Since the video that my friends and I took in Joplin is probably a source of your disgust, I will defend myself. I don't feel that my video is a "public celebration" of a deadly tornado, but I do understand that there will be people who feel that way. I wish that those feelings wouldn't come from you, a veteran chaser whom I respect.<br /><br />We shared our video of the Joplin tornado with the world, which is our right.<br /><br />I'm sorry if you found our "whooping" disturbing, but we were excited to see the tornado touch down briefly in a field, we didn't know it was going to get big and tear a swath of damage through Joplin. Yes, we are new to this compared to you. It didn't sink in until the wedge was over the trees churning out debris that it might be deadly. Even then, it was impossible for us to know what was going on underneath it.<br /><br />I called 911 to report the tornado before we even turned off of the road that we were filming on. I don't claim to have saved any lives through this action but I was completely concerned for the people in its path. <br /><br />I can't get what I saw from that day out of my head. It was the worst devastation that I have ever seen. As a veteran chaser you must have seen this kind of stuff too. Experiencing it in person is completely different than physically being in ground zero. I'm sure we did exactly what you would have done if you had been there. We went into town and made a difference, however small that difference was, I'm glad we were there to do what we could do.Isaac Patonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-16183106823203613472011-05-24T17:45:56.527-05:002011-05-24T17:45:56.527-05:00For most people the experience of being close enou...For most people the experience of being close enough to a tornado is unique and I can understand them wanting to record the experience. <br /><br />One of the biggest pet peeves of mine about storm videos is that the vast majority of people making the video won't shut up. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, at 30 fps that's about 30,000 words per second. There is very little that these people can add to the video. <br /><br />It's gotten to the point where I usually just turn the volume all the way down when watching storm videos. <br /><br />It would be nice to be able to hear the sound of what is going on without a bunch of stupid comments from the people taking the videos or those around them. <br /><br />There have been some good videos on Youtube that had minimal talking from the people taking the video. Some have added useful captions at the bottom but these are by far the minority. <br /><br />I do watch Storm Chasers but again, much of the time the volume is all the way down. Regardless of what some people think of them, they do get some very good video. <br /><br />I'm guessing that Original Media must require Reed Timmer to jump up and down and call any tornado, no matter how small looking a "huge tornado." <br /><br />I would expect that he, if anyone, with all of the tornadoes that he has seen, should be able to take pictures and video and be calm about it. <br /><br />Best wishes to all, I hope that today's expected outbreak somehow has minimal loss of life, injuries, and damage although I expect the opposite.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07440053140136306351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-45016304401005566942011-05-24T10:01:51.379-05:002011-05-24T10:01:51.379-05:00I must admit I share the sense of revulsion. I saw...I must admit I share the sense of revulsion. I saw the Discovery Channel special too, and I was especially disturbed that they did not point out how dangerous the actions of some of the amateur "chasers" were. I think this video is maybe the worst example I've ever seen of taking stupid chances. These guys are actually listening to a local weather guy on the radio and are oblivious to what he's saying and nearly get themselves killed:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIx26tN6pCk<br /><br />My perception was that the guys who shot this video were portrayed as somewhat heroic on the DSC special, for getting such a good video. And in my opinion, the only value in their video is to show you just how ridiculous chasing has become - you'd hope it would click with viewers that these knuckleheads are lucky to still be alive.<br /><br />Last year, as a freshman studying weather, a graduate student offered to take me storm chasing . . . and I declined, at the risk of being considered cowardly. I just don't trust that most students (and some professors) nowadays have the proper respect for the danger of these storms. There is a thrill in it, no doubt - but safety has to come first. And I really applaud you for point that out as a veteran of meteorology/storm chasing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-19515911614835798182011-05-24T09:56:57.108-05:002011-05-24T09:56:57.108-05:00Rogelio ...
A self-imposed ban on selling tornado...Rogelio ...<br /><br />A self-imposed ban on selling tornado video wouldn't stop the yahoos from doing it. Yes, it makes those who impose such a ban on themselves more "pure" but despite what some people assert about me, I've never claimed to be a purist. I don't turn down the opportunity of income derived from chasing, mainly because it has helped defray the costs of chasing and allowed me to update my equipment. I've never asked people to be "pure" - just responsible and sensible. To some, like Blake K, that makes me some sort of evil hypocrite but - opinions vary.Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-44911176956089517122011-05-24T00:58:58.067-05:002011-05-24T00:58:58.067-05:00I just added a prologue to that essay, and will ex...I just added a prologue to that essay, and will excerpt some of it here:<br /><br />Now, in 2011, it's too late. All manner of people with little or no understanding of storms, some calling themselves chasers, some not, are filming them in dangerous and deadly situations. Miles-long traffic jams form in and around some storms in Oklahoma. The wildest "XTREME INSANE" chaser video lands one on the major TV network shows, in full vainglory. Chasers post "media contact" info for videos of themselves acting like idiots, getting into horrifically irresponsible and dangerous situations, and celebrating destruction.<br /><br />Some chasers film themselves either acting like they're rendering aid, or actually doing so. Either way, it's pretentious and egotistical. ***Authentic charity is not broadcast for others to see.*** It's what you do when nobody is watching that matters most.<br /><br />Somehow, enough viewers eat up all this self-promotional pap that the cycle spreads and grows and propagates, the "Cancer Within" now metastasized beyond cure. This is where "storm chasing" now is. The "carnage circus" we described above is out of control. All manner of people with no understanding at all of severe storm behavior are out there shooting video and trying to cash in on the fad. The distinction between them and "storm chasers" doesn't exist to the viewer. For all practical purposes, everyone whose tornado video gets on TV is a "storm chaser". Denying that reality doesn't change it, any more than calling a duck a snake makes it a serpent.<br /><br />To hell with it all. I (Roger) don't even call myself a "storm chaser" anymore. I'm ashamed of the term. I'm ashamed of and deeply pity) those who go on TV and promote this unrecognizable wasteland of irresponsible lunacy that now defines "storm chasing". The term has been too corrupted and dirtied by rampant, shameless greed. You will see no "look at me" ego-strokers on my vehicle: no antennae, no weather-related stickers, no PVC tubes. Most of the time, you won't even know it's me out there. And I prefer it that way. <br /><br />And still today, neither of us sells storm video, and we haven't since before 1995.===== Roger =====http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/cancer.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-56927868767302077972011-05-24T00:53:21.431-05:002011-05-24T00:53:21.431-05:00Chuck's essay dealt with the selling of tornad...Chuck's essay dealt with the selling of tornado video and the crazy attitudes and practices displayed on those videos for everyone to see and emulate for themselves. Let's stay on topic here. <br /><br />Blake and Chuck: You want solutions? You want the "right way" and the "alternative"? Rich Thompson and I offered very simple and straightforward solutions to this problem--beginning nearly 13 years ago. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/cancer.htm" rel="nofollow"> http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/cancer.htm </a><br /><br />[Full disclosure: at the time, even Chuck opposed some things we wrote in that essay, and he was selling video of the Pampa (8 Jun 95) tornado. Were we right after all, weren't we, Chuck? Based on your latest essay, it sounds like just such a tacit admission.] <br /><br />In short, the solution was for chasers to stop selling tornado video. It's driven by greed, ego and nothing else. Nothing more or less. If your motives are truly altruistic and educational, GIVE it away. Otherwise, keep it to yourself. Selling "XTREME INSANE" video only promotes more and more of the same behavior. Think of Camaro Guy in MO. Think of Pharmacy Guy in North Carolina. That's just the early tip of the iceberg. <br /><br />Is it too late now? Is the cat too far out of the bag? Likely. I hate to say that Rich and I told you so...I really do. But we did tell you so. We warned you many years ago that this was where chasing was headed. We also told you the solution. That solution was ignored in favor of greed and ego. Look at the consequences that have been wrought. <br /><br />Now there may be no solution left. "Storm chasing" as a hobby has been nuked, and now stands as a post-apocalyptic wasteland of shameless, wanton selfishness for sale to the highest bidder. The motto of storm chasing now is: "Look at me! Myself! I! Number one, baby!"<br /><br />Where is the humility? <br /><br />If it is indeed too late... <br /><br />Thanks, all "chasers" who have prostituted yourselves and this hobby by selling "XTREME INSANE" tornado video for top bid. Even if some have reformed (as Blake K asserts for Reed), the damage has been done, and blood is on your hands.===== Roger =====http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/cancer.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-36263135981087285512011-05-24T00:37:29.133-05:002011-05-24T00:37:29.133-05:00Chuck, I agree with you 110% percent. It's al...Chuck, I agree with you 110% percent. It's also why I have chased my last tornado. I can do a lot more good doing what I did on April 27th; sitting here at my computer warning friends in the path what is coming...and how to save themselves and families; help them survive.Perry Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01056803716426794802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-11117364641751364272011-05-23T23:20:57.379-05:002011-05-23T23:20:57.379-05:00In re: James Aydelott
It is indeed disappointing ...In re: James Aydelott<br /><br />It is indeed disappointing that it seems so many people would rather watch a cartoon than have potentially life saving weather info broadcast.<br /><br />Could this be because the news media have turned weather coverage into a circus, complete with on-air talent seemingly losing their minds at garden-variety thunderstorms, risk-taking chase teams, and Whopper Doppler One Million? Seriously, just how many non-severe thunderstorm events do we have to go wall-to-wall for? I can definitely understand and relate to the fatigue of the average Joe and Jo who don't care about the weather unless it is actually going to get them. These people vastly outnumber us weather weenies.<br /><br />This is what happen when you derive a revenue stream from severe weather: you get risk-takers and annoying broadcasts and so-called "extreme" meteorologists all competing for that buck... all trying to one-up each other. And there's always someone who will take it one step further. Who suffers in the end? Everyone else. The public. The chasers. <br /><br />Even so, is it these folks' faults that there's still a market for what is becoming, as Dr. Doswell put it, a trash sport? After all, would the competition exist without the audience? It's not like the competitors are forcing the audience into the arena.<br /><br />Thank goodness I had the sense to read the remarks of my forerunners, who taught me to remember that open displays of recklessness and celebration may not be well-received by those affected by the storm. Even with this foundation, my own experiences on the ground following the Greensburg tornado shook me to the core and made me think very deeply about what I do and why I do it and HOW I go about doing it. I truly believe such considerations (i.e., ethics) are even more important when puruising goals that are perceived to be so closely related to human pain & suffering.Sean Dnoreply@blogger.com