I've seen this stupidity myself both here in the Smoky Mountains and elsewhere. Too many people expect wild animals to react like cartoon characters. I watched a mother urge her small children to pose beneath a tree where two bear cubs had scrambled to safety as if Mama Bear wouldn't take exception. People in the area warned her and the kids off. The mother's reaction (the human mother)? She was miffed as if the horrified witnesses were busybodies.

My son has reported the same thing while through-hiking out west, how parents will unnecessarily put their kids (and themselves) at risk for some stupid photo on their iPhone. I saw the same mindless behavior at the Grand Canyon, tourists leaping over warning signs for a 'good' shot and/or going against trail advisories for proper footwear, food and drink.

We really are a dumb, arrogant species.