David Blaine: Drowned Alive? Part VI
Posted By Paul Kotik on 8 May 2006
To Breath-Hold or Not To Breath-Hold
Did it center itself around the World Record Breath-Hold meme?
It did. If I had a wet kiss for every application of that term to David Blaine’s planned apnea, I’d feel well-loved indeed. And did the giant video screen at Lincoln Center show that nightmare bottom camera footage of Audrey Mestre opening the valve of an empty tank, and of her lifeless body being dragged from the water ?
Copyright 2006 Paul Kotik/DeeperBlue.net
Yes, it did. Oh, did it.
Did I feel slapped, rolled and gutted ? Yep. But not surprised. Sure, the talk all along had been about playing down the references to what is properly AIDA’s turf, the world record thing. And Heavens, how morbid would it be to bring up the horror of poor Audrey’s last dive ? But look, this is show business. Television. Nobody really ever believed it would be about anything other than ratings. Nor should it be – that is what television is. No secret there, no scandal. Everybody involved puts something in, everybody gets something out. Some get rather more than others. Don't like it ? Don't watch it. I mostly don't.
I’m a cynical fellow, but I’ve been sucked into the drama. I’m genuinely worried about David Blaine’s fate. One needn’t have access to his current physiologicals (and I do not) to know that they’re such as would fill any country doctor’s heart with dread. This guy’s kidneys and liver must be in full intifada mode, his all-over skin pathology is plainly visible to all, and my eye tells me his intestines are not happy. I think he’s sustained massive systemic - multi-systemic – injury, and whatever happens tomorrow he has a long road to recovery ahead of him.
He’s going straight from the sphere to a hospital – whether on life support or not is anybody’s guess. The medical gear arrayed around the sphere would suffice to provide field services to a Third World village.
I know it’s only a show. I know the people who put it on, for Heaven’s sake! Nevertheless, I’m caught up in it and am on the edge of my seat. They are masters of the craft.
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