Chris Palmer

Did David Attenborough Behave Unethically?

Earlier this month, the Daily Mirror in Great Britain revealed that famed zoologist David Attenborough, for his 7-part television series Frozen Planet, filmed polar bears in a zoo while leading viewers to believe that the animals were filmed in the subzero Arctic wilderness. The Daily Mirror scoop led to negative publicity for the BBC, including [...]

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A Good Death and How to Achieve It

by Chris Palmer

Is it possible to create a good death? Or is someone simply lucky if he or she dies well? These are the fascinating questions Dr. Ira Byock, a professor at Dartmouth Medical School, raises in his important 1997 book, Dying Well: Peace and Possibilities at the End of Life. Both my parents have died (four [...]

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Thoughts on aging

by Chris Palmer

I associate aging with deterioration, disease, and suffering. Loss of mental and physical agility is inevitable. The indignities of old age harass the elderly relentlessly. Moreover, old age is accompanied by a growing physical repulsiveness. Our physical features and bodies become repellent in various ways, exacerbated by frailty, despair, and pain. Chronic, debilitating illnesses force [...]

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Our golden retriever Cory dies

by Chris Palmer

We have lost our beloved golden retriever Cory to cancer. She was almost eleven years old. We are grief stricken to lose her, but also deeply grateful for the beautiful life she shared with us. Cory died peacefully this morning at the vet, with my wife Gail and me hugging her, telling her how much [...]

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Meeting my wife Gail 38 years ago at Harvard

by Chris Palmer

I arrived in America in September 1972. I knew virtually no one. I’d left all my friends behind in England. So I was very eager to make new friends. On September 23, 1972, I attended the orientation for new graduate students at the Kennedy School at Harvard. I dressed as classily and elegantly as I [...]

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Something to be passionate about

by Chris Palmer

Sunday, August 22, 2010 A dad’s yoga lessons We have many teachers in our lives, and often the most influential (and most overlooked) are our parents. Though my dad may not tell people he does “yoga,” he is a yogi by my standards. He starts every morning with mindful exercises and a jog. He is [...]

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Wolves

by Chris Palmer

For decades, wolves were seen as evil, as well as dangerous to livestock, so ranchers and the federal government shot, clubbed, poisoned and trapped them. But wolves are playful and learn how to survive and thrive through play, developing their strength, agility, and coordination. We must do the same. Wolf packs are models of efficiency [...]

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Why Shark Week is irresponsible

by Chris Palmer

“Teeth of death,” “Shark feeding frenzy,” “The Worst Shark Attack Ever.” It is that time of year again, when the Discovery Channel brings out shows like these as part of its annual “Shark Week” programming. This week of bloody feeding frenzies and vicious shark attacks is part of a larger trend in nature programming. Instead [...]

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Sex and violence in wildlife films

by Chris Palmer

Below are some excerpts on sex and violence in wildlife films from my book “Shooting in the Wild.” I hope you enjoy them. “Shooting in the Wild” has received extensive coverage in the press, including the Washington Post, ABC Nightline, Good Morning America, and NPR Weekend Edition. While one critic, who rents out wild animals [...]

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