people are taking more and more risks but what for?
By Stephan
@stk40m (1119)
Koeln, Germany
October 4, 2011 1:18pm CST
yesterday I watched an episode of a series called Man vs Wild. There was this guy in the desert and he wanted to find water. So he reached a 15m (50 ft) deep abandoned well shaft and tried to climb it down with branches from a tree! You have to watch to understand what I mean and how dangerous it is (time index 8:00):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYmpYWIEsGQ
why did he do this? I mean, he didn't need to, in which case I would have understood it. But here, it's obvious that he could just as well have said - let's leave. He didn't. And when he climbs up again you can see that he almost crashed (time index 1:25)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrxfYLVS9kY
I've observed this type of behavior both on TV and in reality. People, especially young ones try to compete with each other and top each other by doing more and more dangerous stunts or shows. Do you have any explanation for that and what do you think about it?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@mamasaid (156)
• United States
4 Oct 11
I think there are two types of people who take these kind of risks. The first are thrill seekers who never seem to be able to get excited unless they are living on the edge. Driven by competition or the desire to outdo themselves, they take needless risks for the rush - almost like being an addict.
Then there are those who seem to be desensitized from watching too much reality tv, etc. They honestly don't recognize the danger, much like a kid who sees cartoons and thinks they can achieve those outrageous feats.
@derek_a (10874)
•
9 Oct 11
I think many TV companies find people to take dangerous risks to boost their viewing ratings. It has always been very attracting to most people to watch such things. Hundreds of years ago, hundreds of people used to flock to public hangings and executions. There is a morbid curiosity with people that seem to want to see a risk-taker getting hurt or killed, even if they don't want to admit it. 
_Derek
_Derek
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
5 Oct 11
There are a lot more people out there that are fearless. Which is a good thing to a slight extent I guess. Of course, there is a lot of competition out there and there are many people who are absolutely insane to say the very least. They are obviously getting some thrills out of life. Perhaps in an attempt to spice it up, perhaps in an attempt to add some excitement.
Good for them for getting the most out of life I guess. Of course, it is really not something that I would want to do but everyone has their own unique tastes to say the very least. I do agree that these people don't need to do this but rather they want to do something like this. Danger is not a word in the vocabulary of many people. It's just that simple.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
5 Oct 11
yes, some are fearless but there are also those who try to get rid of their fears or who constantly fight them. I believe there's another popular guy who does it for that reason and he does extremely dangerous climbing, gets arrested all the time. His name is Alain Robert. You can find many articles about him on the net.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2TJ3tU8mbo
if he falls there's no way he'd survive. I just hope he'll finally give it up or accept his fears.
Cheers
@walking2010 (1009)
• United States
5 Oct 11
I know right? people just have that thrill to seek everything, until they realize at the last minute that it was a bad idea. Some people feel that you only have one-life so they want to live it and see the world, but as for me I am only going to see but so much because I do not want to end up some where and be some one dinner LOL,
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
5 Oct 11
I think there are people who have a much higher level of adrenalin than others,and they feel bored if they don't do something dangerous or thrilling,they can only feel happy to be alive if their life is full of such thrilling moments,that's why there are so many people who like to engage in extreme sports.I don't see any problem in that,it's their right to do whatever they feel like if they don't put other in dangers,and I admit I watch Bear Grylls and like his courage which sometimes seems excessive.I'm sure people who do such extreme stunts or shows are perfectly aware of the risks they assume and realize that it can all turn horribly wrong for them one day,but that won't stop them from doing all those dangerous things because it's in their nature to do so.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
okay.. of course they would want to entertain the people watching them. blame it on the people's taste and preference. we all want action, we want what's happening inreal life... we want what we think we couldnever do...
its for the show... and i think he knows anyway he'd be safe and he'd still get out of it alive... :D
@celticeagle (166049)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Oct 11
Some people like to live on the edge. They are happen or excited about anything unless it is dangerous. I wonder how long they will live at this rate. One reason woman (wives and mothers of these idiots) are stressed to the max and feeling alittle ill because of them.
@karstine29 (694)
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
I actually don't know what's wrong with those people though. I have not seen the video yet. Maybe anytime tomorrow. However, some people take risk in order to prove something. Hmm.. there are persons who want adventures in life. Maybe this would be one of the reason why they are doing such acts.
@primshine (65)
•
4 Oct 11
I think it gives them some sort of thrill or challenge. Some people like to be challenged and don't like to back down from one, so they will do it, no matter how unsafe it might be. Another reason might be they are lacking something in their life, and might do this to feel that void they are missing. Some people just like the rush you get from doing something extreme!
That is my only explanation I can come up with for why people do things of that nature. I do not fully understand it myself and I would never do anything like that. I guess if it makes them happy then there is nothing wrong with it. He is well aware of the risks and he's also been trained to do that sort of stuff.
