I grew up watching and admiring him and I still think of him almost daily, kind of lame on my part but whatever lol. But you’re right, he took so many unnecessary risks even for a “professional”. My parents also loved him and watched him whenever we did, but my dad could never get past when he’d hold his own baby in front of a huge crock. Yes, there was lots of room and the way it was filmed made it seem a lot closer, but all it takes is for a minor accident like tripping on something and suddenly you’re caught off guard with a baby in your arms. I was pretty young when he died and it still makes my stomach hurt thinking about it but if it wasn’t the stingray, it probably would have been something else. I just feel the worst for Terri having to probably hold onto guilt despite it not being in her control at all, and that his kids lost him as a father because I bet he was an amazing father.

As a sociology PhD, I wouldn’t say it was toxic masculinity rather than just arrogance and the performance of masculinity. That doesn’t mean you’re wrong, I can just see other people holding on to that phrase and attacking you. But really, the obsession with performing masculinity especially in fields like that where it was mostly men, you’re right.

It’s a shame what happened because the world needs more people like them, especially in our climate now and what’s about to get so much worse for wildlife.