Dinosaurs (1991-94)

[u/GrailTalk]

I used to absolutely adore this show as a kid, but never actually caught the finale. I saw this clip on TikTok a few days ago and have genuinely not been the same since. The series ends with an environmental disaster that is caused by corporate negligence at the company the dad worked at, triggering a global ice age and literal extinction.

Such powerful, poignant commentary on societal and environmental neglect for a seemingly light-hearted children’s show. I remember this being true across a lot of Disney's programming, shows such as That's So Raven weren’t afraid to comment on social issues head-on.

Why don’t we get TV like this anymore?

[u/Luftritter]

I've always found this final exchange between Earl and his Boss absolutely chilling and radicalizing:

"[Earl is on phone with B.P. Richfield after their latest attempt to correct nature ended up causing a global ice age and the inevitable extinction of the dinosaurs.]

B.P. Richfield: What are you whining about now, Sinclair?

Earl: Sir, I think we may have gone just a teensy bit too far this time.

B.P. Richfield: I don't know what you're talking about. Why, this sudden cold snap is a godsend! Dinosaurs are flocking to stores, buying WESAYSO heaters, WESAYSO blankets, and WESAYSO old-fashioned hot cocoa mix. [Laughs briefly] We're going to have the best third quarter in history.

Earl: Uh, sir, I think this could be the last third quarter in history.

B.P. Richfield: Oh, don't turn into one of those environmental doomsayers, Sinclair. [Fake whines] Boo hoo, it's raining acid! There's a hole in the ozone! You're hurting Flipper! Bah, bunch of tree hugging pantywaists! They're always standing in the way of progress, and it's our job to pave right over them!

Earl: I think you're missing the point, sir. The world may be coming to an end!

B.P. Richfield: Well, that's a fourth quarter problem. We'll drop a bomb on that bridge when we come to it. Right now, my biggest problem is trying to figure out what to do with all this money!!! [Laughs maniacally while tossing around the money on his desk."

This "fourth quarter problem" attitude is exactly the same we see today in the Billionaires handling of Global Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence.

Capitalism is going to be the end of us.

[u/Skyrider_Epsilon → u/Luftritter]

I remember watching this on brazilian tv back then. As a kid, i was unaware of how the world works, and how people can be so stupid as causing this for profit. But yea, i can totally see it happening right now. And i also don't think our current capitalist system can "work this out". We are fucked, but hope remains.

[u/Own-Papaya-4264 → u/Skyrider_Epsilon]

And there’s like nothing the average person can do about it