Comments by "Mat Broomfield" (@matbroomfield) on "'Dancing man' Sean O'Brien gets the last laugh" video.

I'm gratified that the world opposes bullying, and I especially support this man's right to get down without harrassment. However, I also take issue with the phrase "body shaming" when it applies to the chronically obese. The implication that they would be fine if people just stopped mentioning their weight is nonsense, and worse still, normalising obesity is bad for the entire nation.
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***** Yes, agree completely,. It was cruel and needless.
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Thenybo There's a world of difference between practicing for a healthy lifestyle, and giving in to gluttony. Yes, I would a thousand times sooner my taxes go to pay for someone who had a surfing or climbing accident, than someone who would simply not stop eating. One is living their life to the full, the other is doing the complete opposite. If you climb Everest and lose a leg, or do free running, or base jumping hell yeah I'm gonna be disapproving, because those activities are needlessly reckless. But, as I said, that doesn't excuse rudeness. Personally I find wilful obesity extremely distasteful, but I would be exceedingly unlikely to say that to an obese person, much less ridicule them for it.
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Thenybo Yes I do realise that, and I have tried at all stages to make it clear that I am only talking about those whose obesity is dietary, not medical. I appreciate your argument about "unnecessary", but I don't agree with it. There is a reasonable level of activity that can be considered as the normal business of living, and keeping yourself emotionally and physically healthy. I think we've drifted off the point now, so I'll thank you for a courteous discussion, and wish you a long healthy life!
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ravyn89049 Thank you for adding so much to the discussion with your strawman arguments. To recap: I repeatedly EXCLUDED medical obesity from the field of this discussion, and I also specifically DENOUNCED fat shaming. But if you think that saying that gluttony is a bad thing is wrong, then it sounds as though YOU are the one with issues.
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Thenybo Funny how that doesn't apply to using drugs, not working, or sleeping around. You seem to be suggesting that society must simply look the other way when people engage in grossly unhealthy behaviour - EVEN when we are the ones that share the medical costs for that behaviour. I don't share that belief. I would not go so far as shaming an obese person (just out of basic humanity), but I certainly think that it is fair that it is mentioned. if they feel ashamed at people discussing the obvious truth that their bodies already loudly proclaim, then the shame is already theirs, and perhaps it would be more beneficial for them to address the cause of their shame.
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Robert J. Williamson I agree completely Robert. This incident was despicable and I oppose it 100% and it's wonderful that the world has showed him support. If the world is simply supporting him as a victim of spiteful bullying, or because in spite of his massive obesity, he still gets out and lives life, then fantastic. I simply object to any normalisation, or worse still, celebration of dietary obesity.
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Xirtahm I'm not on a white knight mission, I am simply responding to the subject at hand. If this were a video about failing to go for breast screening, or the evils of tobacco, I would express my opinions on that subject. It's clear that you have not read a single word that I wrote before weighing in? I do NOT support fat shaming, in the slightest, and if society has a particular distaste for obesity (not without good reason as it often represents a combination of unattractive personality traits), it is only because it is immediately visible, not because it is any worse than drug or alcohol abuse. As for unprotected sex or failing to take mammograms, I wouldn't even count those in the same league as dietary obesity. But I totally agree with your conclusion, we should all approach the entire picture towards the nation's health.
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Thenybo Thank you. I feel the same way. It's nice to talk to grown ups once in a blue moon!
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Marc Hoppins Personally, I never see any justification for needless cruelty, especially towards a stranger.
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Madison Current I agree completely Madison. Unless somebody chooses to publicly discuss their weight.
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+sunlitstormclouds The vast majority of overweight people are overweight due to their own behaviour. If they were heroin addicts NOBODY would think twice about telling them that their actions are harming their health, so why do laziness and poor diet get a free pass? The fact that a SMALL percentage of overweight people have conditions, or that poor genetics makes it harder for some is a distraction. A massive percentage of westerners die as a result of preventable heart conditions and diet is a major contributory factor. Why SHOULDN'T anyone raise that issue?
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+sunlitstormclouds Please provide the evidence that the type of agriculture required to sustain a global population of 7 billion people, and the use of chemical fertilisers produces food that is less nutritious or contributes more to obesity or poor health. And yes, many slim people MAY be unhealthy, but at least obesity is NOT one of the health concerns that they have to contend with. That is the issue at hand.
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+sunlitstormclouds You keep making claims, but have yet to provide even links to reputable sources that agree with any of the things that you are claiming. Unfortunately, you seem to simply be lumping in a whole bunch of possible causes, some of which I daresay have been demonstrated, with things such as radiation and fluoride. as a result, you come across more as a foil hatter than a well informed commenter. But I'm open to credible evidence...
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+Madison Current I DO agree that it's nobody's place to CRITICIZE someone's weight (or perhaps friends and family SHOULD point out that unbridled gluttony is neither healthy nor attractive), but that doesn't mean that nobody should mention it. Those close to you would be doing their duty of compassion as friends to mention the elephant in the room, and if they are close, you can let them know what the facts are in your case. Obviously, there is no need to insult strangers apropos nothing in any situation, and weight is no exception. That doesn't mean that people should not be concerned or even disgusted by those who are wilfully obese.
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+gryphon50c I think that as much as SOME overweight people may stay in and make even less effort, is it not likely that some may be motivated to make an effort? Clearly pandering has not worked for them, so maybe it's time for some tough love?
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