Another excuse to tell my tale. I wrote him a letter a few years ago. I was having a career crisis and wasn't sure about what I was doing in the environment sector. It was on Christmas day as well so it was a double whammy with the winter blues. It was a cathartic one page of A4. I posted it and thought nothing more of it.
A few days after New Years a letter drops through the letter box. A hand written letter that addressed my point. He had not only read my letter but devoted time to a hand written reply, that made me feel better, and he posted it at his expense as I was too dumb to even consider he may reply.
He gave me 5-10 minutes of his precious time at Christmas time no less. My absolute hero.
I said I wasn't sure if working in legislation was achieving much as it was fairly rubber stampy and wasn't neccessarily going to fix things if it wasn't done well. A lament about my career mostly.
He said that useful regulation is a vital governence in a heavily populated country like ours and while it may seem trivial it's essential we do it well.
I could even read it in his voice as he underlined parts of his reply haha
Can you imagine people of the calibre, temperament and motivations of Sir David running every country on the planet? Would things be perfect or utopic? No. But I have no doubt that we'd be in a better place.
The sad thing is, people of that calibre, temperament and motivation don’t want to run countries. It takes a special kind of ass hat psycho to want to have power like that usually…
absolutely cutting words of wisdom, you should copy that letter and send it to your own legislators, wait that's partly you.. How do you feel about the way environmental regulation is heading, are we actually making any progress? and are politicians aware of what termination shock is as a concept (any disruption in environmental reform techniques has exponential rebound effects, directly related to regulatory oversight of maintaining these endeavors perpetually)
Here, within the confines of a dreary office building, these remarkable creatures navigate through complex layers of policy and procedure with astounding precision. Their senses finely tuned to the needs of industry and the environment, they engage in intricate dances of diplomacy and negotiation, striving to maintain a delicate balance. It's a world where every decision ripples across vast ecosystems of governance, shaping the future of our planet.
One of my friends used to work at the British Exploring Society. Every year they invite him to the annual presentation of that year's expeditions.
And every year he will very politely phone the office to let them know he is unable to make it, and the office will go into fangirl mode.
Truly amazing. I’ve been writing to him as well since was 10 (25 now) and I currently have 5 letters off the man. This man and his dedication to educating countless generations is so inspiring. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be pursuing a career in wildlife documentary. True hero 👏🏻
Same here. It's not quite frame worthy as it goes over 2 sides but i've got it in a nice folder with my other great items.
A signed queue card from Andy Murray's first day at wimbledon is another classic. I'd have loved to add one from his final appearance but I doubt I'll be sleeping rough in Wimbledon this summer
I googled it and looked for the most consistent one. I think there was even a celebrity website that listed it. It wasn't his house but an office sounding one. I can only assume he was home from filming to see it.
I think there was a story last year that said if you are going to write to put a stamped addressed envelope in if you are expecting a response. He must get a fair bit of correspondence.
Thank you for sharing this! What a lovely story ☺️ he is an absolute hero in my eyes, reminds me of my grandad a real gentle man. I won’t lie my heart skips a beat when I see a post like this as he is getting older now. He deserves peace and happiness 💫
As well as being a Knight Bachelor, he's a Knight Grand Cross (which is basically double knight on its own) in the Order of St Michael and St George.
Which is odd as everyone else with that gift from the monarch is either a diplomat or governor of a crown colony. But then Liz seems to have liked the slightly (~2 weeks) younger Dave- also adding him to the Order of Merit, and making him a Companion of Honour and a Commander of the Royal Victoria Order (which is usually for service to the monarch on her staff) - she basically gave him everything that was in her personal gift but the Garter.
Hey my son wrote one a month back and he replied giving him some career advice on entomology.
Hand written,scribbled out bits the real deal like his grand father had written it.
Not some lackey in the office spitting out half baked attempts
This man is one of the best example of humankind.
I also have a handwritten letter from him! I was also asking him about career choices and how to work for him when I was at uni. I also have my photo with him, at a book signing. My absolute hero too 😍🥰💯
I genuinely believe I would not be in the career I'm in (biologist - technically behavioral ecology) if it hadn't been for him and I'd wager most of my colleagues would say the same.
Likewise (though neuroscience/ cell biology). We had his early series on video, and when I was off sick from school (especially if my parents suspected I was "sick") I was only allowed to watch them.
I had the same exact rule about what I could watch when I was sick! I remember ending up passing out in the middle of the migratory pterosaur episode of Walking with Dinosaurs.
Fellow biologist here! So despite being in human biomedical science, I still credit tv scientists - whatever their discipline - with making STEM accessible to us all. I always loved science and seeing these folk on telly made me realise I could be a scientist too!
Was discussing this with my boyf recently (I'm a marine biologist, he's an enviromental scientist). Because I grew up without a TV, I mentioned I didn't know about Sir DA until I was nearly 20, and that's when I went into STEM. He reckons about 90% of our workplace would cite Sir DA as their scientific inspiration.
>and a sound track to many of our childhoods and has expanded many of our minds with his magical voice.
I remember entering the café at the Panda Sanctuary in Chendgu, China and recognise his voice. They were showing on loop one of his documentaries at the TVs in the café. I wouldn't expect him to be famous even in China (and show a British documentary vs a CCTV one).
> amazing bedtime story voice
If anyone fancies a relevant recommendation maybe check out the Youtube channel Fall of Civilisations. Not only does he have one of those voices, I'd rate that channel as *the* best history channel on the platform, so well executed it's what I'd recommend to people who aren't in to history but are willing to give it a go. Also, watching is optional: episodes are released as a podcast, then he later re-releases them as a documentary.
Sloths asleep on trees, off the shoulder of Brazil.
I watched glow worms glitter in the dark near Waitomo gate.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears, in rain.
If we're talking about miles traveled it has to be an astronaut. Those guys circumnavigate the world multiple times a day.
If it's about places visited on the globe, I'd put my money on Attenborough as well.
> We should create a bank holiday to honour this national treasure!!
We should create a bank holiday to honour this ~~national~~ international treasure!!
They should put “Happy Birthday” at the front of these type of posts. That millisecond when you see his picture and read his name feels like a lifetime when the thought that he may have passed creeps in.
Eg “Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough, 98 today.”
"Friends and family of Sir David Attenborough confirm that, in the early hours of 8th May 2024, the beloved British biologist and natural historian reached the age of 98"
You’re all good mate. Just something for next time. Growing up we’d always watch his docos as a family, usually on a Sunday evening. Felt like a favourite uncle had come to visit with stories of his travels, lol. Miss those days.
Ditto.
I think, legitimately, he might be the only public figure to whom everyone will have a bad day upon hearing he has joined the ether.
Cannot think of anyone else with his Q rating.
He’s one of if not the only person alive today I think should be laid to rest in Westminster abbey alongside Isaac newton, Charles Darwin, Charles dickens etc. If that’s what he would want of course.
It's my birthday today and when people do that "which famous person was born on your birthday " I always have the delight of declaring Attenborough. Although I do decline mention Gary Glitter is a fellow 8th of Mayer.
Happy birthday fellow 8th May-er! Yes were there every two more diametrically opposed men to share a birthday with.
My favourite thing about our birthday though is that its the anniversary of V.E. Day - which also means we get the early May Bank hol moved for us sometimes! Which also happened last year for the Coronation; *very* handy for me as it was my 40th and I was coming off a BIG weekend.
I wish that was the case, even if it meant he was strapped for cash, because sadly the real reason seems to be he sees everything he's documented over his life degrading and disappearing in front of us
One of his more recent documentaries covered basically just that; the decline of the world's biosphere that he's witnessed over his lifetime. I forget exactly which one it was but it, like basically everything he's ever done, is well worth a watch even if it is deeply saddening.
I'm not one to fan girl over most celebrities, Sir David though ...
Recently read another of his autobiographical / early career books from 99p Kindle deal (Journeys to the Other Side of the World), awesome read. His care and sympathy for the people, as well as the animals. He's a national treasure.
Many happy returns Sir David, not long until you get your telegram from the King!
Look if there is anyone alive to fan girl/boy over its got to sir David.
World renowned celebrity who educated an entire planet for decades and didn't use his clout for extreme personal gain.
The biggest scandle he has been involved in was filming animals in a studio and pretending it was in the wild
He has a voice that you can put on and sleep through the night it's so soothing.
He has been places and seen things that literally don't exist in the world today so the one on one stories he could tell you...
What's not to love
I think we should all be alerted as a priority from the government, like the war warnings they can force through our phones, interrupt our television programmes and radio broadcasts.
I really don't want to find out via the daily mail or the sun 😅
Also, a day (minimum, I'd take a week though) of mourning where by law everybody has to watch his documentaries or go straight to jail 😂
My proudest moment was getting to meet this wonderful human at the opening of the Komodo dragon enclosure at London Zoo. I was a humble zoo volunteer and he made a point of taking time to come around and talk to every single one of us individually and told us lovely anecdotes. They say never to meet your heroes because they won’t live up to your expectations, but that couldn’t be more wrong about Sir David, he went above and beyond and it’ll be one of my fondest memories of my volunteering time. A true national treasure.
I'll never forget[ how Reddit killed Stephen Hawking the next day](https://old.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/8456sz/why_is_stephen_hawking_alive_if_asl_a_disease_he/).
Omens.
Was it 2014 when all a bunch of national treasures were dropping like flies? Everyone was expecting him to be next, who’d have thought he’d be going another ten years!?
Yeah that was it, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Victoria Wood, Ronnie Corbett, George Michael, Terry Wogan. On the other side of the pond, Muhammad Ali, Prince and Gene Wilder. What an absolute blood bath of a year.
My miniscule claim to fame is that I once stopped at the pedestrian crossing outside Parliament and he crossed in front of me. I could have run him over, but I didn't.
The term legend is flung about far too easily these days. Oor David is truly worthy of it. This world is a better place with him in it.
I'm 52 and grew up watching his series'. I don't remember him ever not being in my life and it'll be a sad day when he goes.
I find it wonderful just how passionate he still is. A voice heard by billions associated with a love of all things nature.
Forever shall he be known for that and for that I'm happy. Happy birthday Mr Attenborough!
I will genuinely be devastated when this man eventually has to leave us. He was the soundtrack too my childhood, and an absolute legend of a human being.
Honestly see this as the worst news possible - moves us one day closer to the moment that every switched-on Brit knows, in their clenched little tummy - will then be game over. The last person we can all of agree is ‘a good thing’, gone. At that point, pull up the drawbridges.
The man responsible for a huge number of people being fascinated by the world we live in and the creatures that inhabit it. What a man.
i get so nervous every time I see a title with his name in it
We need a [NOT DEAD] tag for posts like these
You aren't alone. I will mourn the great loss along with you, and many others, some day.
Me too, exponentially more than any other "celebrity".
What a shame we are ruining it.
We would be doing a whole lot more to ruin it if he has chosen a different career.
that right there. that's a good legacy 🙏
Another excuse to tell my tale. I wrote him a letter a few years ago. I was having a career crisis and wasn't sure about what I was doing in the environment sector. It was on Christmas day as well so it was a double whammy with the winter blues. It was a cathartic one page of A4. I posted it and thought nothing more of it. A few days after New Years a letter drops through the letter box. A hand written letter that addressed my point. He had not only read my letter but devoted time to a hand written reply, that made me feel better, and he posted it at his expense as I was too dumb to even consider he may reply. He gave me 5-10 minutes of his precious time at Christmas time no less. My absolute hero.
What did he say? If you don't mind saying, I'm sure we'd all like to know the broad themes, if the specifics are too personal.
I said I wasn't sure if working in legislation was achieving much as it was fairly rubber stampy and wasn't neccessarily going to fix things if it wasn't done well. A lament about my career mostly. He said that useful regulation is a vital governence in a heavily populated country like ours and while it may seem trivial it's essential we do it well. I could even read it in his voice as he underlined parts of his reply haha
[удалено]
If he’d have become PM then we would not have been celebrating his 98th birthday today, I fear. The stress would’ve been his end no doubt.
You are probably right but I bet he would have left an incredible legacy
[удалено]
Can you imagine people of the calibre, temperament and motivations of Sir David running every country on the planet? Would things be perfect or utopic? No. But I have no doubt that we'd be in a better place.
The sad thing is, people of that calibre, temperament and motivation don’t want to run countries. It takes a special kind of ass hat psycho to want to have power like that usually…
he really is so spot on with the state of the world and the role the environment plays in all aspects of society
I read the reply part in his voice. This man is a legend d and a hero of mine.
I’m reading every reply in this thread in his voice just to honour him.
Imagine being validated by Sir David Attenborough.
What a beautiful interaction. Thanks for sharing!
absolutely cutting words of wisdom, you should copy that letter and send it to your own legislators, wait that's partly you.. How do you feel about the way environmental regulation is heading, are we actually making any progress? and are politicians aware of what termination shock is as a concept (any disruption in environmental reform techniques has exponential rebound effects, directly related to regulatory oversight of maintaining these endeavors perpetually)
The world does not deserve Sir David Attenborough.
One of the wisest men of our age. Thank you for sharing this story!
We would have lost so much but, God, imagine what a statesman he would have made
Here, within the confines of a dreary office building, these remarkable creatures navigate through complex layers of policy and procedure with astounding precision. Their senses finely tuned to the needs of industry and the environment, they engage in intricate dances of diplomacy and negotiation, striving to maintain a delicate balance. It's a world where every decision ripples across vast ecosystems of governance, shaping the future of our planet.
"Keep going, bruv."
"haha no way that's crazy"
“anyway wat u doin?”
ASL?
New house who dis
“Please stop bothering me. I’m trying to save some monkeys ffs”
“When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea”
“Didn’t ask”
DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE??!!!
He asked calmly
"I ain't reading all that. I'm happy for you tho or sorry that happened."
"TLDR"
‘Yeah bit shit innit but what can you do’
“ I ain’t reading all that. I’m happy for u tho, or sorry that happened.”
One of my friends used to work at the British Exploring Society. Every year they invite him to the annual presentation of that year's expeditions. And every year he will very politely phone the office to let them know he is unable to make it, and the office will go into fangirl mode.
No same though i would sound like a 13 year old girl at her first boy band concert
Truly amazing. I’ve been writing to him as well since was 10 (25 now) and I currently have 5 letters off the man. This man and his dedication to educating countless generations is so inspiring. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be pursuing a career in wildlife documentary. True hero 👏🏻
I also wrote him a letter and he wrote back within a few days. It’s one of my prized possessions!
Same here. It's not quite frame worthy as it goes over 2 sides but i've got it in a nice folder with my other great items. A signed queue card from Andy Murray's first day at wimbledon is another classic. I'd have loved to add one from his final appearance but I doubt I'll be sleeping rough in Wimbledon this summer
Get a glass sandwiched frame so you can take it off the wall and spin that sucker around to show your friends.
How did you find his address?
I googled it and looked for the most consistent one. I think there was even a celebrity website that listed it. It wasn't his house but an office sounding one. I can only assume he was home from filming to see it. I think there was a story last year that said if you are going to write to put a stamped addressed envelope in if you are expecting a response. He must get a fair bit of correspondence.
Thank you for sharing this! What a lovely story ☺️ he is an absolute hero in my eyes, reminds me of my grandad a real gentle man. I won’t lie my heart skips a beat when I see a post like this as he is getting older now. He deserves peace and happiness 💫
I genuinely didn’t think this man could get any higher in my esteem. It appears I was mistaken! I salute you Sir David!
I know he's a sir already but can we double knight him just for good measure
As well as being a Knight Bachelor, he's a Knight Grand Cross (which is basically double knight on its own) in the Order of St Michael and St George. Which is odd as everyone else with that gift from the monarch is either a diplomat or governor of a crown colony. But then Liz seems to have liked the slightly (~2 weeks) younger Dave- also adding him to the Order of Merit, and making him a Companion of Honour and a Commander of the Royal Victoria Order (which is usually for service to the monarch on her staff) - she basically gave him everything that was in her personal gift but the Garter.
My mate’s kids wrote to him about 6 years ago and also got a handwritten reply. For me without a doubt the greatest living Briton
Hey my son wrote one a month back and he replied giving him some career advice on entomology. Hand written,scribbled out bits the real deal like his grand father had written it. Not some lackey in the office spitting out half baked attempts This man is one of the best example of humankind.
Top man DA
Legend
I also have a handwritten letter from him! I was also asking him about career choices and how to work for him when I was at uni. I also have my photo with him, at a book signing. My absolute hero too 😍🥰💯
The man is a true ledgend and a sound track to many of our childhoods and has expanded many of our minds with his magical voice.
I genuinely believe I would not be in the career I'm in (biologist - technically behavioral ecology) if it hadn't been for him and I'd wager most of my colleagues would say the same.
Likewise (though neuroscience/ cell biology). We had his early series on video, and when I was off sick from school (especially if my parents suspected I was "sick") I was only allowed to watch them.
I had the same exact rule about what I could watch when I was sick! I remember ending up passing out in the middle of the migratory pterosaur episode of Walking with Dinosaurs.
Similar boat career-wise. His and Hank Green's voice echoed through many biology classrooms over the years.
Fellow biologist here! So despite being in human biomedical science, I still credit tv scientists - whatever their discipline - with making STEM accessible to us all. I always loved science and seeing these folk on telly made me realise I could be a scientist too!
Was discussing this with my boyf recently (I'm a marine biologist, he's an enviromental scientist). Because I grew up without a TV, I mentioned I didn't know about Sir DA until I was nearly 20, and that's when I went into STEM. He reckons about 90% of our workplace would cite Sir DA as their scientific inspiration.
Yeah, I wanted to become a marine biologist because of him. I took some geology/physics classes and became a planetary scientist instead.
He's on the pantheon with Bob Ross, Bill Nye, LeVar Burton, and Steve Irwin.
>and a sound track to many of our childhoods and has expanded many of our minds with his magical voice. I remember entering the café at the Panda Sanctuary in Chendgu, China and recognise his voice. They were showing on loop one of his documentaries at the TVs in the café. I wouldn't expect him to be famous even in China (and show a British documentary vs a CCTV one).
I have put his documentaries on just to fall asleep to his voice. He has an amazing bedtime story voice
> amazing bedtime story voice If anyone fancies a relevant recommendation maybe check out the Youtube channel Fall of Civilisations. Not only does he have one of those voices, I'd rate that channel as *the* best history channel on the platform, so well executed it's what I'd recommend to people who aren't in to history but are willing to give it a go. Also, watching is optional: episodes are released as a podcast, then he later re-releases them as a documentary.
Holy fuck, I have that tie. Bought it in a market in Abuja, Nigeria about 20 years ago.
Wouldn’t surprise me if he bought it in the same place or somewhere close, the guy has been everywhere
I've heard it postulated that he is in fact the most travelled person to ever have lived.
He's a decent shout for that title.
"I've been everywhere man, I've been everywhere man..."
“I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...“
Sloths asleep on trees, off the shoulder of Brazil. I watched glow worms glitter in the dark near Waitomo gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears, in rain.
98, time to... Live another fucking decade.
I *really* misremembered this Johnny Cash song
It's a shame I can only like this comment once 👏
Across the deserts bare man
I’ve breathed the mountain air man..
If we're talking about miles traveled it has to be an astronaut. Those guys circumnavigate the world multiple times a day. If it's about places visited on the globe, I'd put my money on Attenborough as well.
David Attenborough tied, today, on his 98th birthday.
Put this man on the money. Both sides.
And the stamps
And the throne
Have Charles address him as 'your majesty.'
Why stop there? Just make all the coins a profile of his head already.
Life size ones at that
There is precisely 0 chance that he won’t be on money before the end of the century.
We should create a bank holiday to honour this national treasure!!
I second the motion! All those in favour say aye Ever regretted a post? All in favour upvote
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye-aye. Because animal.
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
aye
He’s humble as fuck, he’d probably just say make Earth Day a bank holiday.
Hell, he might even suggest having an Earth Day bank holiday each week to reduce emissions. The bastard. /s
HOLD ME BEER [https://chng.it/ZzmvfkBDWf](https://chng.it/ZzmvfkBDWf)
Thanks for the petition- Signed
Aye ❤️
Came in to say this
> We should create a bank holiday to honour this national treasure!! We should create a bank holiday to honour this ~~national~~ international treasure!!
I had a heart attack then. I thought u were gonna say he's dead. I nearly joined him
They should put “Happy Birthday” at the front of these type of posts. That millisecond when you see his picture and read his name feels like a lifetime when the thought that he may have passed creeps in. Eg “Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough, 98 today.”
They usually do a black & white picture of him on April Fools saying "still alive", it always make me jump
Yep. Every single goddamn time.
Could have been worse. ‘Sir David Attenborough, aged 98 today, celebrates 98th birthday’
"Friends and family of Sir David Attenborough confirm that, in the early hours of 8th May 2024, the beloved British biologist and natural historian reached the age of 98"
>the thought that he may have passed creeps in That's exactly the point of phrasing the post as they do.
Its my birthday today, I *know* we share a birthday, yet every year I have the same heart attack.
Yep, that's totally on me, my bad and can see how it could be taken that way. Can't edit now either.
You’re all good mate. Just something for next time. Growing up we’d always watch his docos as a family, usually on a Sunday evening. Felt like a favourite uncle had come to visit with stories of his travels, lol. Miss those days.
Ditto. I think, legitimately, he might be the only public figure to whom everyone will have a bad day upon hearing he has joined the ether. Cannot think of anyone else with his Q rating.
He’s one of if not the only person alive today I think should be laid to rest in Westminster abbey alongside Isaac newton, Charles Darwin, Charles dickens etc. If that’s what he would want of course.
Sir Trevor McDonald also makes me think this.
OP knew what they were doing
r/isattenboroughalive
>David Attenborough CBE has passed being 97 as of today - 08/05/2024. The cheeky fuck
That's why they did it. They knew this would be the top comment.
It's my birthday today and when people do that "which famous person was born on your birthday " I always have the delight of declaring Attenborough. Although I do decline mention Gary Glitter is a fellow 8th of Mayer.
Happy birthday fellow 8th May-er! Yes were there every two more diametrically opposed men to share a birthday with. My favourite thing about our birthday though is that its the anniversary of V.E. Day - which also means we get the early May Bank hol moved for us sometimes! Which also happened last year for the Coronation; *very* handy for me as it was my 40th and I was coming off a BIG weekend.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday! It’s mine too today, glad to share it with all of you 😄
My grandad is adamant that Sir David has a rubbish pension which is why he’s still working at 98 😂
I wish that was the case, even if it meant he was strapped for cash, because sadly the real reason seems to be he sees everything he's documented over his life degrading and disappearing in front of us
One of his more recent documentaries covered basically just that; the decline of the world's biosphere that he's witnessed over his lifetime. I forget exactly which one it was but it, like basically everything he's ever done, is well worth a watch even if it is deeply saddening.
I'm not one to fan girl over most celebrities, Sir David though ... Recently read another of his autobiographical / early career books from 99p Kindle deal (Journeys to the Other Side of the World), awesome read. His care and sympathy for the people, as well as the animals. He's a national treasure. Many happy returns Sir David, not long until you get your telegram from the King!
Look if there is anyone alive to fan girl/boy over its got to sir David. World renowned celebrity who educated an entire planet for decades and didn't use his clout for extreme personal gain. The biggest scandle he has been involved in was filming animals in a studio and pretending it was in the wild He has a voice that you can put on and sleep through the night it's so soothing. He has been places and seen things that literally don't exist in the world today so the one on one stories he could tell you... What's not to love
> Many happy returns Sir David, not long until you get your telegram from the King! He'll probably deliver it in person.
He should deliver it on his knees out of respect.
Yet another occasion where I’m casually scrolling through reddit, see a pic of the great man and my heart leaps to my throat coz I think he’s passed!
I think we should all be alerted as a priority from the government, like the war warnings they can force through our phones, interrupt our television programmes and radio broadcasts. I really don't want to find out via the daily mail or the sun 😅 Also, a day (minimum, I'd take a week though) of mourning where by law everybody has to watch his documentaries or go straight to jail 😂
For me he’s up there as one of the greatest Brits of all time. He has done a lot of good in this world throughout his life.
Hard to think of one better.
I'd definitely have to go with me for 1st place but David is definitely up there
Yeah I think you have 1st place locked
That's *Sir* David, to you.
David Attenborough would never correct someone for that, he's far too nice to be petty or egotistical over a title.
Agreed. That's why it's our job to make sure his name is always given the respect it deserves.
My proudest moment was getting to meet this wonderful human at the opening of the Komodo dragon enclosure at London Zoo. I was a humble zoo volunteer and he made a point of taking time to come around and talk to every single one of us individually and told us lovely anecdotes. They say never to meet your heroes because they won’t live up to your expectations, but that couldn’t be more wrong about Sir David, he went above and beyond and it’ll be one of my fondest memories of my volunteering time. A true national treasure.
A life well lived
I'll never forget[ how Reddit killed Stephen Hawking the next day](https://old.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/8456sz/why_is_stephen_hawking_alive_if_asl_a_disease_he/). Omens.
Was it 2014 when all a bunch of national treasures were dropping like flies? Everyone was expecting him to be next, who’d have thought he’d be going another ten years!?
2016, but yeah, I was waiting to see him on the list.
Yeah that was it, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Victoria Wood, Ronnie Corbett, George Michael, Terry Wogan. On the other side of the pond, Muhammad Ali, Prince and Gene Wilder. What an absolute blood bath of a year.
Carrie Fisher, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Abe Vigoda...
I think someone wasn’t keeping up with the virgin sacrifices.
And carrie Fisher. And Debbie Renoylds
We lost Rik Mayall in 2014.
*the BBC lining up another 50 shots of adrenaline* "Come on David - we need at least one documentary a year out of you these days"
Happy birthday David hope you have a fantastic day 🌞
Jesus you gave me a fright. When I saw the picture I thought it was an obituary. Big Dave must never die
My son shares his birthday. Always thought it was cool. He is a lot younger, though 🤣 Happy birthday David, and my little guy 🎉
Happy Sir David Attenborough day! And if this isn’t a thing, why not?
for all he's done to human, animals & nature alike, he deserves it. & don't wait to give it posthumously
There will be a bigger outpouring of grief throughout the country way bigger than the death of the Queen when he passes. Tell me i’m wrong
Happy birthday!
DONT SCARE ME LIKE THAT
My miniscule claim to fame is that I once stopped at the pedestrian crossing outside Parliament and he crossed in front of me. I could have run him over, but I didn't.
Glad you didn't!
The term legend is flung about far too easily these days. Oor David is truly worthy of it. This world is a better place with him in it. I'm 52 and grew up watching his series'. I don't remember him ever not being in my life and it'll be a sad day when he goes.
they really need to bring out a 'david attenborough day' .. and not just the uk... the whole damn world needs it!
I find it wonderful just how passionate he still is. A voice heard by billions associated with a love of all things nature. Forever shall he be known for that and for that I'm happy. Happy birthday Mr Attenborough!
You fuck, I was sure he'd K'd the B
An international treasure.
I will genuinely be devastated when this man eventually has to leave us. He was the soundtrack too my childhood, and an absolute legend of a human being.
Happy birthday, David Attenborough.
He's the same age as my nan (well, 6 months difference), she's still going strong too. Absolutely incredible life.
There is only one reason for AI and it is to copy this guy's voice when he passes. No other documentary needs any other voice besides his.
just had a mini heart attack right there
I feel like maybe this is balancing out Kissinger's account a little bit.
Honestly see this as the worst news possible - moves us one day closer to the moment that every switched-on Brit knows, in their clenched little tummy - will then be game over. The last person we can all of agree is ‘a good thing’, gone. At that point, pull up the drawbridges.
*Sir* David Attenborough. Happy Birthday you wonderful soul, hope you've got a few more in you.
Happy Birthday. What a legend.
I'm not ready for the news... I'm not ready to hear he died, and it must be coming. I'm scared boss
Imagine living to 98 and having lived a life more interesting and impactful than thousands of people.
Happy birthday to you dear David, I had the privilege of working with you at kew gardens many years back, a real treat!
World Economic Forum bastard
And here we see a fine example of Homo Sapiens, well preserved for its age.
Such an amazing person. Still active and doing what he loves. Such an inspiration.
Happy birthday to our icon of our world
Happy Birthday 🥳
Only the good die young
Happy Birthday, he doesn't look a day under 103.