I feel very privileged to fly over the eighth wonder of the world (Great Barrier Reef, in case you're australian) on a weekly basis. Yesterday was one of those exceptional flights when due to heavy weather we had to go round a quite a distance & by doing so were treated to a spectacular view of the very outer edge of the reef.
This experience was utterly spoiled by the fact that we had several seagulls (Public servants) on board who kept reading their novels whilst all this natural beauty went by only a thousand feet below.
Maybe I am just too appreciative of natures beauty but to witness this utter indifference or lack of appreciation is just beyond my understanding. Is this the mentality of the future ? Are these the people who scream climate change ?

Yes but perhaps they were only the bad ones. I can't see what point you are making other than a dig at public servants.

What makes you assume that all public servants would not wonder at the beauty of the reef or that they agree with climate change? It is governments that make decisions on policy. Many of this government's influences regarding climate change have been scientists and commentators outside of the public service.

What an odd post. I find it hard to imagine how one passenger's appreciation of the view from an aeroplane window could possibly be spoiled by the fact that other passengers were reading novels.

Mind you, an altitude of 1000 feet seems very, very low. Maybe the other passengers were concealing their nervousness by burying their heads in books?

I can't see what point you are making other than a dig at public servants.
Pelican,
I'm a PS myself & this wasn't an islolated incident, I just mentioned this because I've observed it on a number of occasions. Too bad you don't appear to get the gist of the reason for the post which is that many PS's i.e. seagulls, go to rural & remote communities crap all over the place & after the mess is made they go back to their offices. I'm stating a fact not just some whimsical pet whinge of mine. We get people who have no interest even less concept of people who live in the country because of lifestyle & yet they're dictating to us. Why do think things are not as good as they easily could be ? Because of an incompetent Public Service manned by collective indifferent individuals called the masses. The same kind as on this aircraft. Don't you watch the news or current affairs ? Perhaps you don't get gist of those programs either.

individual,

I think it was a very pertinent post.

Transporting ourselves in sealed capsules is normal these days. We search for our wonders on the screen. Actual physical or mental contact with the world we pass through is, in many instances, a thing of the past.

Never mind, there's a good chance that those who missed the wonder of it unfolding in front of them would probably jump at the chance of owning it on DVD....ridiculous, isn't it.

I understand it totally. I live in Far North Queensland and the nature here is unbelievable. I am not how many places on earth you get so spoilt for choice, like natures chocolate box full of goodies.

Yet tourist after tourist just comes to sit on a beach. The beaches being not that great really. They moan nothing do do blah blah and restaurants over priced. So up in Cairns they say lets build a water theme park. This is true! There is the major water wonderland called the GBR with an enormous diversity of activities from flying over it, to cays, outer reefs, fringing reefs, snorkel, fish, dive or cruise. Waterfalls everywhere nestled in rainforest, cool rivers, white water rafting plus Lake Tinaroo for water sports and the crater lakes for peaceful picnics. Ah nothing to do so they build plastic waterworld.

Plus all the other things to do like Undara Lava Tubes, Chillagoe marble and limestone caves, Cape York Peninsular, Mount Mulligan and the more greeen than green (usually) Tablelands complete with historic cute villages.

I really do wonder.