Reflection paper on the documentary Blackfish - Essay Example

Reflection Paper on Blackfish Documentary Reflection Paper on Blackfish Documentary The documentary Blackfish has caused tremendous waves in countless educational institutions and social media front that is available. People are keen to discuss the various traits and characteristics of sea animals, and in particular, Tilikum. This is an orca that lives in a habitat created by man to cater to the different needs of animals that are captured and made to live in captivity. The producers of the documentary were keen on bringing out the nature of the world of the ocean elephants, as they are known, in order to make people understand the dynamics that surround the way of life of such animals (Cowperthwaite, 2013).

It is believed that orcas have strong family ties, and that the social dynamics that surround their lives form part of their growth and development throughout their lives. It is the disturbance of this family structure and connection that leads to the dysfunction among animals living in captivity (Kirby, 2012), and probably the reason why they may end up being destructive in the way that the documentary depicts. The dynamics that surround humans can also be applied to animals. The social functions that everyday life brings forth can also be seen among animals.

By putting animals that do not relate to each other in terms of their family ties, there are bound to be problems, and this is seen in the documentary. Tilikum was placed in an enclosure with two older females, and being a male, the social order was ultimately disrupted (Cowperthwaite, 2013). Sociology tries to bring out the social relationships between humans, and what helps shape humans into the everyday environment in which they are exposed. Key social operations and processes have often being illuminated by sociology, and the documentary tries to bring this out by the use of life of sea animals that are bound together through different circumstances (Kirby, 2012).

Basic understanding relating to animal behavior would have worked toward identifying some of the frustrations that animals in captivity go through, and how to lessen these frustrations (Kirby, 2012). Orcas are wild sea animals, and they believe in a social order just as humans do. The social institutions that bind these creatures together indicate that animals belong to each other, and disrupting this order may lead to destructive mannerisms from the said creature. The death of the trainer at SeaWorld may surprise many, but it is not a surprise that the animal acted on its natural basic instinct.

Understanding that these behaviors are natural may force people to relate differently to animals, as they also find it difficult to relate to their new environment, regardless of whether they have been trained to act a certain way or not. In conclusion, sociology tries to make people comprehend the nature of society, and all that is present in most societal institutions. By going against the principles and tenets of these basic institutions, there are likely to be consequences. This is seen when killer whales attack and kill their trainers, despite having known them for some time.

The highly intellectual and sentient creatures that are depicted in the documentary cannot go against their (basic) killer instincts just by going through few training routines. Basic social order needs to be maintained, so as to create a balance in each and every social institution that is present (Kirby, 2012). This is both among humans and wild animals.ReferencesCowperthwaite, G. (2013, November 28). Blackfish. Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films.Kirby, D. (2012). Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the dark side of killer whales in captivity.

New York: St. Martin’s Press.