The recent travails here in the U.S. of three men who climbed a mountain and died and the one who tried to sail around the world and nearly died raised a ruckus in the press and reinvigorated an old ethical dilemma—Why do they do it? And should we care? I don't know why they do it. Life is so chock full of disaster opportunities with disease and accidents and madness and war and falling pianos that it seems egregious to tempt the fates beyond this cruel menu they've provided.
It is bizarre, no?
I do care because it is sad whenever anyone suffers and dies. But there have been many incidents like these that grab emergency resources so desperately needed in New Orleans and Darfur and Baghdad and Pnom Penh. At least the sailor could have heeded Captain Bligh and the Bounty's folly and picked another time and another place.
So let me challenge you with these questions.
Why do they do it?
Should we care?
Give me three reasons for each and, let's say, just a sentence or two for each reason. Help me along, enlighten me. I don't want to actually climb a mountain to find out... I have enough problems with falling pianos.
Comments (5)
Falling pianos are not the same as failing life "styles"; far more amusing. You can only point a finger at a life "style". Taking another hand with all five fingers and palm open, requires a full embrace. That's when the music happens. We are all "next of kin" in the long run.
Posted by ned bobkoff | January 19, 2007 8:57 AM
Posted on January 19, 2007 08:57
Question 1:
1. Life is so boring that they do this to keep breathing.
2. Since they're usually men, what they can't conquer in bed they do on a mountain.
3. It's an extreme way to get their 15 minutes of fame.
Question 2:
1. Yeah, we should care because it's fun to watch.
2. If they don't have any emergency plans we shouldn't be expected to save them.
Posted by Steve | January 19, 2007 11:05 AM
Posted on January 19, 2007 11:05
People climb mountains because of penis envy and penis worship.
Should we care? If it's fun, yes. And I agree, if they haven't made their own rescue plans, c'est la vie.
Posted by PJ | January 21, 2007 1:54 PM
Posted on January 21, 2007 13:54
These headstrong, athletic young people have chosen the dangers they have pursued. They have no one to blame but themselves if the danger turns around and bites them. We're all sucked into the media blitz -- the brave wives, the weeping parents -- and we respond with sympathy and fascination because it's there in front of us and we are good people.
If the media (and the police and the rescue mechanisms) gave as much time, financial resources, and attention to the plight of a single family displaced by Hurricane Katrina or the Tsunami, or a single bright promising young person trying to survive in the killing fields of Iraq, the American public would no doubt watch day after day to see if they could be rescued from the horror they are living.
Posted by Margo Blevin | January 22, 2007 1:36 PM
Posted on January 22, 2007 13:36
Well honestly. i do understand why people climb moutains because i want to conquer a dream just like they do!! anyways, im never going to do it because i dont want to die quite yet!
Posted by Hailey | November 5, 2007 12:36 PM
Posted on November 5, 2007 12:36