Comments on: Dean Potter: Learning to Fly? http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/ So obsessed with climbing it hurts... Thu, 24 May 2012 02:27:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ty http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-14156 Ty Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:38:06 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-14156 I would like to point at that many many people engage in extremely dangerous sporting activities which do not receive even a margin of the "hate" put out by the community towards free soloist. Do you really believe that serious Motocross is a safe sport? How about extremely challenging Alpinistic pursuits? The reality is that more people die and are injured from MANY more sports and sporting activities than free soloist. This is %100 undeniable fact. I'm personally sick to death of people bitching self righteously about Free Soloist being so incredibly selfish. Is it a selfish pursuit? Yes. Any high risk sport is, by nature, very selfish. Is it any more selfish or more dangerous than other high risk sports? Absolutely not. Get over yourself and your condemnation of others. Bullshit like this makes me sick. I would like to point at that many many people engage in extremely dangerous sporting activities which do not receive even a margin of the “hate” put out by the community towards free soloist. Do you really believe that serious Motocross is a safe sport? How about extremely challenging Alpinistic pursuits? The reality is that more people die and are injured from MANY more sports and sporting activities than free soloist. This is %100 undeniable fact.

I’m personally sick to death of people bitching self righteously about Free Soloist being so incredibly selfish. Is it a selfish pursuit? Yes. Any high risk sport is, by nature, very selfish. Is it any more selfish or more dangerous than other high risk sports? Absolutely not.

Get over yourself and your condemnation of others. Bullshit like this makes me sick.

]]> By: Steve http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-6972 Steve Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:44:05 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-6972 I know this is a very late post to this thread. But I want it to be written here that it is quite possible if not likely that Dean does what he does to challenge himself and to feel more alive and that the often cried criticism of Dean (and other climbers and extreme sports folks) that he does certain things to seek attention and fame may often reveal more about the nature of the critic than that of the criticized. I, for one, am inspired by this man. I know this is a very late post to this thread. But I want it to be written here that it is quite possible if not likely that Dean does what he does to challenge himself and to feel more alive and that the often cried criticism of Dean (and other climbers and extreme sports folks) that he does certain things to seek attention and fame may often reveal more about the nature of the critic than that of the criticized. I, for one, am inspired by this man.

]]> By: Rhoads http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1915 Rhoads Tue, 06 May 2008 01:18:32 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1915 A note about free-soloing:I have personally free-soloed and I enjoy it much because it is a mental challenge. What's selfish is you worried about your own feelings if your loved one falls to their death. If you actually "loved" someone you would respect their dreams and desires no matter what they are, even if they are personally dangerous. Its not like they are forcing you to free solo. Oh, and besides, how many "free-soloists" actually die climbing. They generally don't be because a real soloist isn't fucking around, they solo because they know they won't fall. A note about free-soloing:I have personally free-soloed and I enjoy it much because it is a mental challenge. What’s selfish is you worried about your own feelings if your loved one falls to their death. If you actually “loved” someone you would respect their dreams and desires no matter what they are, even if they are personally dangerous. Its not like they are forcing you to free solo. Oh, and besides, how many “free-soloists” actually die climbing. They generally don’t be because a real soloist isn’t fucking around, they solo because they know they won’t fall.

]]> By: Rhoads http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1914 Rhoads Tue, 06 May 2008 00:54:33 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1914 Not worthy of coverage in the NY Times? I believe that at least one person could say that about every single article ever printed in anything. It was definitely a cool thing to write about. How many people do you know that have slacked an entire gorge with a parachute as protection? It was innovative and unique and well worth mention in NYT.Can anyone do anything anymore and not have a bunch of naysayers try to chalk up reasons why it's "lame"? How about everyone on here flaming away go out there and come up with something non-lame and report back.Good Luck. Not worthy of coverage in the NY Times? I believe that at least one person could say that about every single article ever printed in anything. It was definitely a cool thing to write about. How many people do you know that have slacked an entire gorge with a parachute as protection? It was innovative and unique and well worth mention in NYT.Can anyone do anything anymore and not have a bunch of naysayers try to chalk up reasons why it’s “lame”? How about everyone on here flaming away go out there and come up with something non-lame and report back.Good Luck.

]]> By: The Narc http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1913 The Narc Mon, 05 May 2008 23:10:10 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1913 No and definitely not...<br><br>I think the slackline bit is cool, just not really worthy of coverage in the NY Times<br> No and definitely not…

I think the slackline bit is cool, just not really worthy of coverage in the NY Times

]]> By: Rhoads http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1912 Rhoads Mon, 05 May 2008 22:56:20 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1912 Be prepared to back up your shit talking. Dean Potter is one of the finest rock climbers of our age, his accomplishments prove that. The slackline bit was awesome. Pissed off you didn't up with the idea? If you did, would you have the balls to do it? Be prepared to back up your shit talking. Dean Potter is one of the finest rock climbers of our age, his accomplishments prove that. The slackline bit was awesome. Pissed off you didn’t up with the idea? If you did, would you have the balls to do it?

]]> By: News & Notes | Climbing Narcissist http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1909 News & Notes | Climbing Narcissist Mon, 05 May 2008 16:15:37 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1909 [...] Dougald MacDonald is reporting that Dean Potter has completed his BASEline walk in Moab that stirred up some mixed feelings back in March. [...] [...] Dougald MacDonald is reporting that Dean Potter has completed his BASEline walk in Moab that stirred up some mixed feelings back in March. [...]

]]> By: Climbing Narcissist http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1242 Climbing Narcissist Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:38:33 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1242 I think the bottom line in this case is that artificially increasing the danger of an activity (slacklining/highlinging) that basically anyone can do with relative safety comes off as a bit contrived. Is it kind of cool to see? Yeah. Is it advancing the human race all that much? Not really. I guess in a lot of ways you could make the same argument about soloing as well.<br><br>As for his delicate arch climb, I never really thought that much about, it but it was apparently serious enough for <a href="http://climbingnarc.com/2007/04/patagonia-axes-sponsored-climbers">him to lose at least one sponsorship.</a><br><br><br>Just as an added bit of information on the video itself:<br><br>This video was put together for the NY Times by <a href="http://senderfilms.com" rel="nofollow">Sender Films </a>(Return to Sender, First Ascent).  If you have seen any of their films, they like to focus on some more extreme activities that are not directly related to climbing itself.<br> I think the bottom line in this case is that artificially increasing the danger of an activity (slacklining/highlinging) that basically anyone can do with relative safety comes off as a bit contrived. Is it kind of cool to see? Yeah. Is it advancing the human race all that much? Not really. I guess in a lot of ways you could make the same argument about soloing as well.

As for his delicate arch climb, I never really thought that much about, it but it was apparently serious enough for him to lose at least one sponsorship.

Just as an added bit of information on the video itself:

This video was put together for the NY Times by Sender Films (Return to Sender, First Ascent).  If you have seen any of their films, they like to focus on some more extreme activities that are not directly related to climbing itself.

]]> By: Gr8belayr http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1240 Gr8belayr Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:50:44 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1240 I guess the idea of "pushing the limits" and/or "limits of human accomplishment" is great in a theoretical sense, but I totally agree with Peter...free-soloing seems a bit on the ultra selfish, borderline ego-manical side. So while the original discussion was about a "climber" who walked a tightrope and wore a parachute in order to maintain his "climber/adventurer" status. It seems pretty logical to me that "climbers" who have families, jobs, and people who depend on them to come home safe after a trip. Those "climbers" might have feelings and opinions on the relative safety and/or intelligence of said tightroping or free-soloing. I don't recall any posts asking for Dean to be shot at high noon, nor did anyone ask him to refrain from using the word "climber" when referring to himself. But most people can see the correlation when other "climbers" who climb rocks, boulders, and other natural features might get lumped in with Dean in average peoples mind's - due to the common word "climber" So, yes, I think we all have a stake in this discussion and we have a RIGHT to comment on Dean Potter, Harry Potter, or whomever else we deem interested to talk smack about. A correlary issue is why "risk" is such a huge factor in climbing. Not just inherent risk...but sport climbs with limited bolts -because it's meant to be scary. Or free-soloing. If that is what it takes to feel "alive", I think I'll enjoy my long, boring life. And talk smack about people who needlessly risk their lives in the name of "pushing human limits". Expect Dean wasn't doing it for the "human" race, he was doing it for Dean. I guess the idea of “pushing the limits” and/or “limits of human accomplishment” is great in a theoretical sense, but I totally agree with Peter…free-soloing seems a bit on the ultra selfish, borderline ego-manical side.

So while the original discussion was about a “climber” who walked a tightrope and wore a parachute in order to maintain his “climber/adventurer” status. It seems pretty logical to me that “climbers” who have families, jobs, and people who depend on them to come home safe after a trip. Those “climbers” might have feelings and opinions on the relative safety and/or intelligence of said tightroping or free-soloing.

I don’t recall any posts asking for Dean to be shot at high noon, nor did anyone ask him to refrain from using the word “climber” when referring to himself. But most people can see the correlation when other “climbers” who climb rocks, boulders, and other natural features might get lumped in with Dean in average peoples mind’s – due to the common word “climber”

So, yes, I think we all have a stake in this discussion and we have a RIGHT to comment on Dean Potter, Harry Potter, or whomever else we deem interested to talk smack about.

A correlary issue is why “risk” is such a huge factor in climbing. Not just inherent risk…but sport climbs with limited bolts -because it’s meant to be scary. Or free-soloing.

If that is what it takes to feel “alive”, I think I’ll enjoy my long, boring life. And talk smack about people who needlessly risk their lives in the name of “pushing human limits”. Expect Dean wasn’t doing it for the “human” race, he was doing it for Dean.

]]> By: peter http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-1237 peter Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:58:40 +0000 http://climbingnarc.com/2008/03/dean-potter-learning-to-fly#comment-1237 I don't have a problem with showmanship or being a "sponsor-whore." I understand that such things are necessary to "live the dream."  But I find soloing, of any kind, for almost any reason, at almost any time to be a selfish activity that shows a blatant disregard for love others might feel for you.  (I threw the almosts in there not because I'm equivocating but because I feel that it would be okay to solo a route to escape a life threatening situation, ie it's okay to solo if and when soloing is safer than not-soloing).I understand I'm going to come under criticism and be told that "everyone takes risks, especially climbers."  I agree.  Hell, getting into a car is pretty risky.  But, though all (most) of us get into cars, we don't all cut the brake lines when we do so. To do so wouldn't make the fact that I safely arrived at my destination any more impressive, it would just make me look like an idiot. I don’t have a problem with showmanship or being a “sponsor-whore.” I understand that such things are necessary to “live the dream.”  But I find soloing, of any kind, for almost any reason, at almost any time to be a selfish activity that shows a blatant disregard for love others might feel for you.  (I threw the almosts in there not because I’m equivocating but because I feel that it would be okay to solo a route to escape a life threatening situation, ie it’s okay to solo if and when soloing is safer than not-soloing).I understand I’m going to come under criticism and be told that “everyone takes risks, especially climbers.”  I agree.  Hell, getting into a car is pretty risky.  But, though all (most) of us get into cars, we don’t all cut the brake lines when we do so. To do so wouldn’t make the fact that I safely arrived at my destination any more impressive, it would just make me look like an idiot.

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