43 years ago, there was a tragedy in the Northern Territory - a Dingo stole a baby from under a mother’s eye in a tent in the middle of nowhere. It was a formative event for me in my childhood.
For months after that event, the media and every talking head in the country spun out a narrative that the mother had done this evil thing, despite having no first-hand knowledge of events. It was repeated and discussed enough that this narrative managed to cement itself into everyone’s minds. I remember being really confused - why would a mother kill a baby? By the time she went to court, she was guilty in the eyes of the nation and the trial was almost a formality.
Only, it later turned out that the mother was telling the truth. That tiny baby’s coat was found in a dingo’s den years later. Much hand wringing ensued. ‘Oh that poor lady, she and her husband went through so much’ (as though those same people weren’t damning them years prior).
Anyway: from that tragic event, I learned never to assume I know all the facts. Never assume the media has any more idea of the truth than I do. Let the justice run its course, and may the truth come out before we pass judgement.
I don’t know what happened with the mushroom case. And neither does anyone else currently talking about it. Rampant speculation is harmful.
43 years ago, there was a tragedy in the Northern Territory - a Dingo stole a baby from under a mother’s eye in a tent in the middle of nowhere. It was a formative event for me in my childhood.
For months after that event, the media and every talking head in the country spun out a narrative that the mother had done this evil thing, despite having no first-hand knowledge of events. It was repeated and discussed enough that this narrative managed to cement itself into everyone’s minds. I remember being really confused - why would a mother kill a baby? By the time she went to court, she was guilty in the eyes of the nation and the trial was almost a formality.
Only, it later turned out that the mother was telling the truth. That tiny baby’s coat was found in a dingo’s den years later. Much hand wringing ensued. ‘Oh that poor lady, she and her husband went through so much’ (as though those same people weren’t damning them years prior).
Anyway: from that tragic event, I learned never to assume I know all the facts. Never assume the media has any more idea of the truth than I do. Let the justice run its course, and may the truth come out before we pass judgement.
I don’t know what happened with the mushroom case. And neither does anyone else currently talking about it. Rampant speculation is harmful.
Um that’s a bit different because this woman has poisoned people. The question is whether it was an accident or intentional.
You’re zooming in on the wrong part. My point wasn’t about the case at all. It was about our reaction to it and the ensuing trial by media.
Yeah maybe but it’s an usual case. People are curious and want to know what the hell happened.
@Nath @melbaboutown excellent and very relevant comparison.