Every time I see a post about someone dying or risking their life doing something extreme like flying a wing suit through a bridge, a submarine getting crushed descending to the depths, an avalanche while back country skiing, etc. the majority of the top replies/comments ridicule the individuals doing so. People say that these individuals are addicts for adrenaline and need help. I disagree. If you can’t relate to having a hobby that you enjoy so much that would be okay with/prefer to die while doing it, I think you need to go out and try new things and explore new places. Life shouldn’t be about trying to be here for as long as possible. If should be about trying to live as much as possible while still here. People who die doing legendary things truly lived. Too many people never do anything extraordinary and die in miserable ways like poorly managed health, dementia, cancer. etc. Stop letting the fear of death prevent you from doing amazing things. Just don’t let the risks you take pose a risk to others around you.
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> a submarine getting crushed descending to the depth
To be fair, that was arrogance that got them killed. Totally needless.
Wing suit jumpers, big wall climbers, drag racers, etc all make sure their equipment is up to the task to ensure they’re not adding unneeded risk to the equation. Knock-off Capt Nemo didn’t…and thus he and his passengers died. It was dumb as hell.
I think the big difference is how the person goes about it. For example: There is a big difference in mountain climbing with learning how to do it with having all the proper safety training and equipment compared to someone who wants to go free climb with zero safety gear.
As long as they realise it could kill them and waivers are signed so businesses aren’t liable then let them carry on. May the odds be ever in their favour.
Don’t ask us not to laugh though.
Irresponsible risk taking is absolutely a dumb way to die. Skillful, mitigated risk taking is maybe not a dumb way to die.
The submarine thing is an example of a dumb way to die. There were many signs that this was an extremely risky and dangerous situation with little mitigation of risks.
People flying wing suits understand the risk and (mostly) mitigate those risks with PPE, physical/mental conditioning, rigorous training, and well thought out flight paths.
But this over simplification of a highly nuanced topic belies several variables. Like, if I’m a wing suit pilot with small kids it’s probably a good idea to minimize “risky” flight paths so that the kids have a higher probability of growing up with me around.
I think the main reason for mockery for OceanGate was that people paid hundreds of thousands of dollars each to go in what was essentially a glorified metal can controlled by a cheap, knock-off console controller, not the concept of going down to those depths in the first place.
Is playing Russian Roulette also a good sport then too? Only joking. Kind of
It IS dumb to risk your life for an adrenaline rush or ego boost, especially while you have family and friends that care about you. Just go ride a roller coaster or go explore nature in a hundred different ways that won’t kill you…
The dude that got stuck in nutty putty cave or the careless rich people that were crushed in their janky sub became “legendary” in only memes
100% with you on this. Done extreme scuba diving for years. Ridiculous depths on mixed gasses to keep me alive. Cave diving. Done ice climbing. Done black run skiing during avalanche warnings. It’s a greater high than any drug. And I have never felt more alive than when I was looking at death and darrng hing to catch me. He’ll get me when I make a mistake or something like cancer gets me.a dumb way to die is, imo, never having lived.
Feels like you have this idea that the amount of happiness / success one can obtain in life scales with how much danger they put themselves in.
I don’t think it’s fair to say “If you can’t relate to someone doing an activity that could easily kill you with 1 mistake, then you need to reevaluate yourself”
Everyone’s different, there’s tons of people out there who can live fulfilling and meaningful lives without white water rafting through rapids or base jumping off a building.
and there’s people like Michael Schumacher…
Living with permanent painful cancer here. Do what you like in your capable bodies while you have them; there’s a case to be made for a quick end vs years of living like I do.
For the record I find a lot of joy in life despite this and am beyond lucky in other big ways. But if 20s me could see…he’d do something crazy lol. Enjoy your youth.
The Alpinist is a great documentary which gets into the head of someone who takes huge risks and how he views life. It’s not as black and white and some people make out.
I think life should be about leaving a positive mark on humanity and the planet before we depart it. While I see the romance of being so into something that you’re willing to die for it, if that thing is flying with a wingsuit, then I think its kinda dumb to die from it. You also say its fine if you don’t let the risks you take pose a risk to others around you. You don’t think your death would impact others e.g., your family, partner, children? We don’t exist in bubbles, our decisions always affect others.
Your life, your choice. Same way with drugs and smoking, as long as you don’t affect other people. Smokers annoy me much more than these extreme sport people because they are so selfish and entitled
Honestly I agree with this 100% unless you have children. I don’t think it’s justifiable to pursue any hobby with serious risk of injury or death if you are a parent to a minor child. Once the kids leave home, go for it, as long as the risk vs reward makes sense.
In general, while your death would have a severe impact on your loved ones, small risks are often still worth it. We make that choice every time we get in a car (the most risky thing we do on a day-to-day basis), so it’s definitely not a black and white situation.
It is if you have spouse and/or kids you left behind
Sitting on the couch all day eating junk and dying of a heart attack is a dumb way to die
I can’t really think of anything I like enough to want to or even be okay with dying while doing it..
I, however, am hoping to die in my sleep and just not know it happened. If I can avoid dying of cancer, which I’ve already had several times, I’ll call that a win.
Most extreme sports people retire because they saw too many people die and realized that they too are mortal. People get into that stuff for the thrill and assume the danger is exaggerated.
Yep, everything will kill you, so at least do something fun
If everyone took your advice the traffic next day will be light.