Growing urbanization of the wilderness
on
Privacy in the Woods?
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· Score: 2, Insightful
I spend a lot of my free time climbing and walking in the mountains. Call me an old fart, but I get outdoors to get away from the trappings of modern life. I often leave my cellphone at home, or in the car at the trail-head. I like to know that I need to be as self-reliant as possible while out in the wilderness.
The problem with a system like this, funded by taxpayers, where the rescue chopper is also funded by taxpayers, is that sooner or later some over-zealous legislator will get the idea that since this system reduces the cost and risk of rescues, it should be compulsory. Then they realize that it's actually quite expensive, and wilderness users should pay for it. Bang goes the wilderness experience. You might as well go to Disneyworld.
There is a growing trend towards cluelessness amongst outdoor users. Self reliance is a thing of the past. Hurt your ankle? Call a rescue! The fact that your hurt ankle is costing others money (unless you have rescue insurance), and putting others at risk, and impinging on other wilderness users doesn't seem to matter. Self rescue is an option. I was involved in a self-rescue, where the girl who was with us hopped for 10 miles over very rough terrain after smashing her heel. It was hell, but it is possible (and it's a good story).
You can buy so much cool gear for hiking/camping/climbing, people seem to think that you can buy safety, when the only thing that really helps there is knowledge.
I figured somebody would take me up on that! I almost took it out before I posted, but then I thought a bit of harmless trolling never hurt anyone:-) Agreed, he does seem very reasonable.
most Windows people I deal with are ignorant of anything that doesn't come from Redmond, and not willing to learn.
Most of the really rabid windows people I've met are kinda oldish, quite chuffed with having taught themselves all about computers a good couple years ago (when windows 3.1 for workgroups was the latest and greatest) and are now in a comfort zone/mangerial position, with no real motivation to learn anything new.
I remember an editorial in an electronics magazine (EW&WW iirc) from about then, rambling on about how unix is a conspiracy on the part of IT departments, 'coz if everybody just used win3.1, you wouldn't need knowledgable unix people to admin all the boxes.
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. (The more it changes, the more it stays the same, for those who can't read french)
Well, if I'd shelled out that much cash just for a computer, I'd probably also feel a little defensive if somebody questioned the wisdom of my decision:-) I must admit though, Apple does make some very slick products. I just don't have a designer apartment to put one in (you do need a designer apartment don't you? I'm sure the marketeers would like us to think so), so I'll just stick with my beige pc.
I've encountered too many Unix programmers who sneer at Windows programming, thinking that Windows is heathen and stupid. Raymond all too frequently falls into the trap of disparaging the values of other cultures without considering where they came from. blah blah blah
Well, if you've ever encountered a windows zealot, from the point of view of a unix person (I don't consider myself a zealot, I just think unix makes my job easier/possible), you'll know that they are even more zealous than the unix zealots. It seems pretty clear what the author's views are.
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The problem with a system like this, funded by taxpayers, where the rescue chopper is also funded by taxpayers, is that sooner or later some over-zealous legislator will get the idea that since this system reduces the cost and risk of rescues, it should be compulsory. Then they realize that it's actually quite expensive, and wilderness users should pay for it. Bang goes the wilderness experience. You might as well go to Disneyworld.
There is a growing trend towards cluelessness amongst outdoor users. Self reliance is a thing of the past. Hurt your ankle? Call a rescue! The fact that your hurt ankle is costing others money (unless you have rescue insurance), and putting others at risk, and impinging on other wilderness users doesn't seem to matter. Self rescue is an option. I was involved in a self-rescue, where the girl who was with us hopped for 10 miles over very rough terrain after smashing her heel. It was hell, but it is possible (and it's a good story).
You can buy so much cool gear for hiking/camping/climbing, people seem to think that you can buy safety, when the only thing that really helps there is knowledge.
No eyestrain from all-night hacking sessions!
I figured somebody would take me up on that! I almost took it out before I posted, but then I thought a bit of harmless trolling never hurt anyone :-) Agreed, he does seem very reasonable.
Well, if I'd shelled out that much cash just for a computer, I'd probably also feel a little defensive if somebody questioned the wisdom of my decision :-) I must admit though, Apple does make some very slick products. I just don't have a designer apartment to put one in (you do need a designer apartment don't you? I'm sure the marketeers would like us to think so), so I'll just stick with my beige pc.
yeah, something like that. Whatever, I'm just trying to earn a living :-)
Great fun, lots of levels available, and should have no problems whatsoever with your puny hardware :-).
Reminds me a bit of countries with "Democratic Republic" or "People's Republic" in the name. Usually nothing could be further from the truth.