# I'm glad Ryan Dunn is dead. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 20, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203 "2011-06-20T20:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/81 "2011-06-21T18:17:35Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > How do we know he didn’t have to swerve to avoid a squirrel, Probably not - we have a deal with squirrels. And pigeons. There should be a rule you cannot pit dead people. How they died notwithstanding. Having said that, I will admit to an occasional dark thought while driving with my three kids on a highway and having a couple of motorcyclists whiz by in and out, back and forth freaking out at least 100 cars around and then me scanning the field in front to see if any driver will react and attempt a manoeuvre that could cause a pile up. Believe me, you need to see a motorcycle disappear under the back of the 16-wheeler and a rider scattered all over the highway only once to develop certain attitudes. Also, I do realize the field for espousing a capacity for adrenaline manufacture has shrunk in a(n) (sub)urban society these days but I just have a strong objection to, in fact utter rejection of, the idea of becoming a little wheel on someone else’s testosterone conveyer. I may not share OP’s style and strength of beliefs but I sure know where he’s coming from. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/82 "2011-06-21T18:17:59Z")
As **mhendo** noted upthread, Roger Ebert took to Twitter to lambast Dunn, and it has sparked some controversy: > [@Yahoo! News](#): > > After Ryan Dunn, a star on MTV’s “Jackass” stunt show, died in a car crash Monday, film critic Roger Ebert tweeted, “Friends don’t let jackasses drink and drive.” Ebert was referring to the fact that Dunn had tweeted a photo of himself drinking with friends before getting into his car (the picture is no longer on Twitter, but can be seen on TMZ). Dunn reportedly had three beers and three shots before getting behind the wheel. Many are outraged about Ebert’s Twitter comment, including some of his nearly 500,000 Twitter followers, fans of Dunn, and a handful of celebrities like blogger Perez Hilton. On his blog, Hilton wrote, “We certainly agree that driving after drinking is wrong, we think there’s no reason-- especially RIGHT NOW-- that anyone should be pointing fingers or poking fun at a truly tragic situation. Everyone makes mistake, and this is somebody’s son. Too soon, Roger.” Despite calls for an apology, Ebert has yet to do so. Ebert pointed out that most of the comments on Hilton’s blog sided with Ebert’s view. But the controversy isn’t just on Twitter and in blogs. Tuesday morning, the film critic said that his Facebook page was removed by Facebook because of complaints. He tweeted, “Facebook! My page is harmless and an asset to you. Why did you remove it in response to anonymous jerks? Makes you look bad.” His page is back up. My head is hurting. I’m disagreeing with Roger Ebert and agreeing with Perez Hilton!!! Let’s call this Hippy’s Law: before Tweeting or Facebooking your scorn for a dead person’s actions, let the body cool on the slab a bit. Should we say, 72 hours? Also, maybe it’s a good idea to preface it by saying, “Any preventable death is a tragedy, and sympathies go to the deceased’s family…” Then you can blast away. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/83 "2011-06-21T18:58:22Z")
That’s the entire problem with Twitter, it allows for pithy remarks that are not and cannot be put into context. In this case, Ebert tweeted something that was certainly true, but it is totally without anything context, so it lacks a necessary amount of compassion and understanding, especially for those who were friends and family. It seems to me that celebrities Tweeting has a big potential downside and almost zero potential upside. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/84 "2011-06-21T19:10:13Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > That’s the entire problem with Twitter, it allows for pithy remarks that are not and cannot be put into context. To add on to what Gangster Octopus, something like this… > [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Also, maybe it’s a good idea to preface it by saying, “Any preventable death is a tragedy, and sympathies go to the deceased’s family…” eats up more then half your tweet. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/85 "2011-06-21T19:11:07Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > That’s the entire problem with Twitter, it allows for pithy remarks that are not and cannot be put into context. In this case, Ebert tweeted something that was certainly true, but it is totally without anything context, so it lacks a necessary amount of compassion and understanding, especially for those who were friends and family. It seems to me that celebrities Tweeting has a big potential downside and almost zero potential upside. Heh, I’d change that to say “that’s the entire problem with people.” I have no idea why some people think it’s a blog - it’s a way to convey information immediately, and it’s not private at all. There’s already been about 20 regrettable Twitter incidents and Roger Ebert, a smart guy, should know much better… I mean, does he even know Ryan Dunn? Are people clamoring to hear Ebert’s take on Dunn’s death? I guess you’re right, ultimately. I’ve been on Twitter for about 2 years, and have about 50 tweets to my name - mostly from participating in a “tweet chat” and telling a large group of friends at a conference about the evening’s plans. Most people who have to worry about their public image would be well advised to tread carefully. ETA: **Joey P** , that suggests that this kind of post is better suited to a Facebook or LiveJournal post. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/86 "2011-06-21T19:12:56Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > There are still a lot of assumptions being made in this thread that he was drunk. All we know at the moment is that he had ONE beer. Is it likely that he had more? Yeah. But it’s not a certainty. People drive crazy fast without an ounce of liquor in their system as well. My essential point is that he risked others – which the argument that he might have been driving crazy fast without being drunk does not particularly refute. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/87 "2011-06-21T19:16:14Z")
The road he was driving on is pin-straight (and there’s no posted speed limit, FWIW), but the exit he was trying to take is kind of hidden and very easy to take too quickly even if you’re just not paying attention. I’ll actually be taking that exit tonight on my way home from work, so I’ll see if there are any skidmarks running over squashed squirrels to be found. ---
**Author:** ![markm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@markm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markm)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/88 "2011-06-21T19:53:29Z")
[QUOTE=gallows fodder] …I’ll see if there are any skidmarks running over squashed squirrels to be found. [/quote] Also look for squashed kids with Asperger’s or ADHD. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/89 "2011-06-21T21:37:07Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Drunk driving is bad. It’s illegal, for good reason. It’s also stupid, irresponsible, selfish, etc., etc. > > What it is _not_ is a capital offense. This dude was driving drunk (if assumptions are correct) at over 100 mph. Odds are any accident you get into at that point is going to be a capital offense for someone. Either the driver, the passenger, or whoever just happens to share the same road is going to pay a rather steep penalty for that particular poor decision. > [@](#): > > Anybody in your family ever make a mistake? Would you be glad if, say, your mother died drinking and driving? Whoa! Are you actually saying that there’s a potential lack of absolute rigid standards here? That maybe the OP holds some moron on television to a different standard than his family? If true, that would be shocking and shake my faith in humanity to the core! :rolleyes: If the OP is an ass, there are a lot better reasons to call him such things than this. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/90 "2011-06-22T00:17:06Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > This dude was driving drunk (if assumptions are correct) at over 100 mph. Odds are any accident you get into at that point is going to be a capital offense for someone. Either the driver, the passenger, or whoever just happens to share the same road is going to pay a rather steep penalty for that particular poor decision. There’s no evidence he was legally drunk, so why would we assume that? Ryan was an almost unbelievably bad driver, he was more than capable of crashing a car sober. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/91 "2011-06-22T00:29:57Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Let’s call this Hippy’s Law: before Tweeting or Facebooking your scorn for a dead person’s actions, let the body cool on the slab a bit. Should we say, 72 hours? > > Also, maybe it’s a good idea to preface it by saying, “Any preventable death is a tragedy, and sympathies go to the deceased’s family…” > > Then you can blast away. I have a law of my own: “When a person chooses show biz as their livelyhood, they take the drawbacks with the outrageous perks.” One of the draw backs is that you don’t get the same public treatment that private citizens get. Folks can feel free to crack wise at your demise, the same way they laughed it up and stuffed your pockets with cash when you were shoving cars up your ass. Your family realizes this and decides to pay attention to what his real life friends have to say…not the faceless public. ETA: Team Ebert, always! Also, I think that Dunn has the kind of sense of humor that he wants folks to lighten up about it, not go all emo like his friend Bam is trying to get everyone to do. ETA, again: maybe not ‘lighten up’ but maybe, add a little levity, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/92 "2011-06-22T00:54:39Z")
> [@5-HT](#): > > There’s no evidence he was legally drunk, so why would we assume that? That has been the speculation in this thread and in the media at large. That was also one of the thrusts of the post I was responding too. Thusly I addressed it with the assumption in parentheses. > [@](#): > > Ryan was an almost unbelievably bad driver, he was more than capable of crashing a car sober. As I’ve never watched the show or taken a ride with Mr. Dunn, commenting on his driving skills seemed more of a leap than his blood alcohol level. Apparently you have other knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/93 "2011-06-22T01:36:02Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > I know. This guy is some sort of DUI Viking. My dad always said you had to drive like a sonofabitch to get Valhalla. My theory is Dunn swerved to avoid a handicapped parking space being selfishly taken up by a musican loading up his gear. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/94 "2011-06-22T01:45:28Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > That has been the speculation in this thread and in the media at large. That was also one of the thrusts of the post I was responding too. Thusly I addressed it with the assumption in parentheses. > > As I’ve never watched the show or taken a ride with Mr. Dunn, commenting on his driving skills seemed more of a leap than his blood alcohol level. Apparently you have other knowledge. I know there has been speculation, my point is that we shouldn’t be assuming that speculation is the truth. As far as his driving, that was based on Bam’s opinion and his past car accidents. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/95 "2011-06-22T01:47:59Z")
Most people don’t know this, but Dunn was actually a time-traveller, sacrificing himself for the good of humanity. His passenger was going to be the father of Future Hitler and the creator of Skynet. Also, he cracked his knuckles. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/96 "2011-06-22T02:56:47Z")
A few more details have now come out. Turns out Dunn swerved to avoid a group of high-BMI\* polyamorous furries LARPing on their way to a MENSA meeting. - Not that they could help it, or that it means anything anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/97 "2011-06-22T03:31:32Z")
The passenger was just as guilty as he was. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/98 "2011-06-22T03:38:45Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The passenger was just as guilty as he was. Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/99 "2011-06-22T04:17:27Z")
> [@Xan](#): > > Why should I mourn the loss of a moron? The human race is better off without him. My only regret is he took someone else with him. No-one is demanding you should mourn him, but being actively gleeful and taking pleasure in his death is the dickitude people are taking umbrage at. It’s possible to not mourn someone, and not be happy they’re dead either. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203/100 "2011-06-22T05:44:03Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > The bartender actually said (IIRC) he had two beers and two shots (I think I also heard him say “A couple of Coronas”) but appeared sober when he left. But yeah, he’s got some damage control to do. I don’t know how the whole alcohol seller tortious liability thing has worked out in the State in question, but I think on the whole it is unlikely that the bartender would admit that he served this guy enough alcohol to get totally legless than let him walk out to his car, even if it were true. > [@Wheelz](#): > > What it is _not_ is a capital offense. Not even if you kill someone. Although it is sometimes capital for your victim, weirdly enough [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-glad-ryan-dunn-is-dead/586203.md?page=6)