Expert: Roger Ebert's Own Ailments May Have Desensitized Him

By Jo Piazza Posted Jun 21st 2011 10:34PM

Roger Ebert's own battle with a life-threatening disease may have desensitized him to the pain of others, psychologists tell PopEater a day after the famed film critic came under fire for a comment about the death of 'Jackass' star Ryan Dunn.

"People who have survived numerous hardships and tragedies as Roger has, often times are either extremely sensitive to the pain and tragedy of others, or can become hardened to the pain of life including the pain of others," explains clinical psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Gardere. "Roger Ebert has stared down death and pain and may now have a more tough-as-nails, survivor approach to life."

In his battle with cancer, Ebert has been through a series of surgeries, first to remove his malignant thyroid in 2002, then his salivary glands in 2003 and his jaw in 2006. He is clearly no stranger to adversity and he has looked death in the face on numerous occasions. That, Gardere tells us, could be the reason he lacked a sensitivity switch this week when discussing the death of Ryan Dunn.

Hours after Dunn was killed in a car accident, Ebert posted the news of his death, followed by "Friends don't let jackasses drink and drive."

The Internet responded with a collective "Ouch!" and reaction from fans and critics was immediate and harsh.

Dunn's 'Jackass' co-star Bam Margera called Ebert a "piece of sh*t" and the blogger Perez Hilton lambasted his insensitivity. One comment on his Facebook page read: "Mr. Ebert, your comments yesterday showed a true lack of tact and your inability to relate with the human race. I cannot believe you would, within 24 hours of the incident and before an autopsy, make such a deep and hurtful remark."

Celebrity expert Cooper Lawrence of the Scott & Todd show on PLJ told us that Ebert's remarks were positively shameful.

"Completely insensitive! Even if he feels that way, where is his compassion? Why would you do that moments after the person dies? He's had his own personal tragedy you would think he would know to use discretion before saying anything that would further hurt those who loved Ryan Dunn," Lawrence told us. "More importantly, it was NOT his place to weigh in. Just because you critique someone's work does not give you the right to publicly critique their death."

Many other reactions were unprintable, even by 'Jackass' standards.

The film critic backpedaled on Tuesday afternoon, writing on his Chicago Sun-Times blog: "I have no way of knowing if Ryan Dunn was drunk at the time of his death. I don't know what happened in this case, and I was probably too quick to Tweet."

Crisis managers say that Ebert is doing the right thing, but there is more to be done.

"He seems to be backing away from it already by saying he tweeted to soon. Ebert should apologize for being flip and insensitive about the breaking news. It was a terrible accident and this didn't make it any better," Public Relations executive and crisis guru Scott Tangney of Makovsky and Company tells us. "There is a time and a place for delivering a message. Thoughtfulness counts in these matters."

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Tags: Roger Ebert, Ryan Dunn, Twitter

Comments

(91)

Wednesday 22 June

By cowof otis

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It's not that he's desensitized - it's that he's had to fight hard to stay alive and witnessed people close to him lose that fight. To see someone seemingly throw life away so casually might be especially galling to him.

By Sweet Pea

My insensitive statement is I totally agree with puppethead. Tweeting drunk bonehead got what he wanted. He pushed that peddle down and it took him where he wanted to go.

By shawn

Hmm, I wonder if anyone got that last stunt on film? Thankfully there were no others involved in the accident.. I have lost friends to people driving drunk, does this accident mean more or less because of who it was? What if the guy had plowed into a family, your family instead of a tree?

By Rori

People get offended when they hear the truth. 130 MPH is irresponsible whether drinking, or not. In the face of him having been out with friends and photographed having alcohol in his hand and a flushed face, MAYBE just maybe he would not have driven so fast, or he would have had better control of the vehicle, faster reactive skills, if not for the booze. Drinking and driving do not mix. Period. Ever. Never. Unfortunately, this is a vivid reminder of why. The woman so upset with Roger Ebert for speaking the truth, ought to redirect her anger towards the driver that killed two people, not someone un afraid to say what we are all thinking. It is a drag to lose someone, anyone so young and so violently. But, in the case, no matter what angle you take, it was 100% preventable.

By Elaine

According to police reports, Ryan Dunn was driving his own car that night, so he was responsible for the death of another human being. He used bad judgement by driving after drinking. If he had not died in the accident, he would have been charged with vehicular homicide and DUI. When someone is killed by a drunk driver, everyone is always furious about it- except for when Ryan Dunn is the drunk? I don't get it. What did Mr. Ebert say that was so wrong or insensitive? If Dunn's friends had stopped him from driving that night, maybe two more people would be alive right now. Truth. It can be tough.

By YellowRose3218

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When someone dies, it doesnt matter who, if a person cant say something nice, they should not say anything at all.

By oralborealus1

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I don't care Too much for Roger Ebert,but I agree with Him 100%!! Don't Drive DRUNK!! And as for "Hurt Feelings and Insensitivity"? Don't Read Facebook or Tweets! Problem Solved!
Alex

By Mama Chi

It wasn't insensitive - it was the truth. I know that the truth has to be sugarcoated in today's society, but I for one am very glad that he had the courage to speak up against DRUNK DRIVERS WHO KILL OTHERS.

By keyingatmach5

Ryan Dunn at Double the Legal Alcohol Limit at Time of Crash
SORRY I AGREE WITH RODGER EBERT, AND HE SHOULD RECEIVE AN APOLOGY. Stupid is as stupid does. I'm sorry, but really. God Bless.

I also agree it was not insensitive it was the truth, and we were all thinking it but Rodger had the guts to say it.

By if...

Had he survived, people would be bashing him for drinking and driving. Now he's dead and people want sympathy. Sorry he's dead, but he drank, then drove, and now he's paying the ultimate consequence.

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