People understand what’s tasteless. Search algorithms and contextual ad technology do not. Well, maybe not people, either. Just as one is horrified that an eBay AdWords ad offers a sale on the Crocodile Hunter’s body, one finds that if eBayers actually had access to the corpse, they might. Would they?
The Register, illustrating the same dark, twisted irony that has accompanied Steve Irwin’s death by semi-harmless sea creature (the kind that draws a short muffled snort before you can pull it back ashamed), posted a screen shot of a Google results page, eBay text ad hanging like a valance at the top.
- Search term: -Irwin steve dead-
Top sponsored result: Steve Irwin Dead; www.ebay.co.uk; Find Steve Irwin Dead! Buy Steve Irwin Dead on eBay
Yaah, ssssss. See, yeah, that’s just wrong. I’m pretty sure selling dead people is a violation of the terms of service.
You won’t find Irwin’s body for sale at eBay UK, but you will find autographed memorabilia and some trading cards. The real Crocodile Hunter selection, though, is at the U.S. site, where you can find thousands, rather than hundreds, of items, from t-shirts to framed photos to action figures.
The Globe and Mail reports:
Books, posters, films, dolls and even a $1 U.S. bill with Mr. Irwin’s broad smile have been listed on eBay, with one hardcover book on the 44-year-old’s life fetching more than $1,300 on Tuesday. Memorial T-shirts have also started appearing for sale as mourning for the TV star turns into marketing for on-line entrepreneurs.
Is this a good time to quote Ecclesiastes? Or someone more forgiving, like John?
Well, perhaps it is to be expected - we’ll assume they’re sheep before wolves, fans and not fiends.
Have a bookmark! - 
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