The way I think I have no clue why people take risks like this other than for the obvious fame and fortune. Just the way I am it seems to be either narcissistic or foolish. I am sure others spur them on because what is not to like about being the friend of someone who does something where you don't suffer any large downside (other than you lose them as a friend).
Also there always seems to be a bit of 'watch car racing for the crashes' or 'watch ice hockey for the fights'. It seems to be something that people are interested because there is the chance of interesting devastation or perhaps elation after the fact that nothing happened.
It might not be as narcissistic as it seems to you: I have been embarking on a couple of adventures, certainly not even close to this Antacrtica crossing, yet my unassisted trips were seen as some as a egoist, narcissistic showoff thing to do. I got a lot of people telling me they assumed I was doing it for likes and follows, only my close friends understood that there's something deep inside you that tells you to go and explore; not for fame, which is shortlived, but for your own good. Without The Life you're struggling, trying to cope with civilization and routine while they eat you from the inside.
More than the "car crash" thing that you mention,I believe people are interested in witnessing success, and happiness. On top of that add the whole "fuck you i'm going" pornography, quitting everything and embarking on a solo trip seems to be a common secret dream that people working 9-5 hide deep inside of their heart.
> I don't understand the downvotes you're getting.
Because popular culture is such that we are brainwashed into thinking this type of thing is GREAT!. Similar to when someone jumps on the railroad tracks to save a complete stranger. They get called a hero. But what (to another replies point) if they get killed and aren't around for their family? Why should you risk your life in that case? How is that smart or even considerate of those around you? What is is: stupid and selfish actually.
> only my close friends understood that there's something deep inside you that tells you to go and explore
Thanks for that. You are the type of person that I would sit down with to explore that entire thinking actually. (I don't feel the same way so I can't easily understand that..)
> quitting everything and embarking on a solo trip seems to be a common secret dream that people working 9-5 hide deep inside of their heart.
Not me. I don't think I could deal with that!
I think it depends. I was talking to the guard at the courthouse last week and he couldn't wait to retire off to the country. But his job has to be boring as fuck <-- sorry. And you know his son he told me was 'really good with programming and had some game author write to him directly for something he was doing'. And the father (the court sheriff guard guy) says 'he says he doesn't want to do programming full time'. What does he want to do? Well he is now a police officer in the most dangerous town in the state (really). This isn't really about the son though. My point is the father is happy standing around all day doing nothing. So of course he can't wait for his vacations and to retire (and do nothing at all most likely). Can you imagine just standing there and doing nothing? I can't.
>>The way I think I have no clue why people take risks like this other than for the obvious fame and fortune.
Those are both pretty great motivators. There's always going to be daredevils and explorers who are in it for the thrill as well. Being "The first to..." or "the only to..." is a superlative people feel might be worth the risk. Besides, without people pushing the limits, we never know what might be possible.
And there's some societal value to events like this. Maybe we find out something about survival in hostile environments or mission logistics or how to run a proper search and rescue operation.
>>Ok so that is an upside but that is like trying to justify that it's ok that those kids got lost in the cave so it was cool to take the risk, no?
Those were people who did not willingly take on the risk. Specifically citing that example, a bunch of children were basically on a field trip and a tragedy befell them. World of difference between an experienced individual who is (supposed to be) completely prepared and able to face the challenges presented.
Those examples I gave aren't ALL "worst case" scenarios. People like this help to fund the creation of materials that can be useful for important research. Sure, maybe some dude wandering the South Pole for funsies isn't helping us, but the team of scientists taking ice core samples to advance our understanding of polar environments and how they're changing use the same type of tent that are produced for this goofuses are benefiting from idiots with deep pockets.
TL;dr- more wandering idiots help support the market for the materials they use, which benefits the people we should ACTUALLY be championing.
If I died younger, my parents would suffer a lot. If I died now, my husband and kids would suffer. I would not want my husband to risk that much for trip, because me and kids need him.
It is kind of saying you don't have such people around.
Agree exactly. The thinking does not take into account at all the impact on anyone else. Plus we are not talking about 'well get over it I am not going to not ride the motorcycle because of you Mom'. We are talking about a highly unusual and risky behavior.
Everyone is different, not everyone care about the impact on anyone else. For these people they don't need to take this into account. To you this might seem to be utterly sad, but to them "sad" might not even register. For them not be able to do highly unusual and risky action is probably their definiton of true sadness. For this people, the only thing you can do is to support them.
Did you really meant to say that they are narcissists? Because I think that we can find plenty of explanations that don't boil down to "they don't care about anything except themselves". Because I really really don't think this uncharitable explanation is correct for most of them.
Also there always seems to be a bit of 'watch car racing for the crashes' or 'watch ice hockey for the fights'. It seems to be something that people are interested because there is the chance of interesting devastation or perhaps elation after the fact that nothing happened.