“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
Christopher McCandless in a letter to Ron Franz, April 1992
good stuff.
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just finished the wiki read about McCandless. have to let it simmer for a day or two before i offer an opinion on his predicament.
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The book and movie based on his life are both worthy.
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Really intriguing story. I tend to lean more towards the "he's an idiot" side. It does bring up the romantic side of man's nature to explore and live off the land but my practical brain takes hold. Maybe because of my surroundings.
I do admire that he shunned the materialistic side of life, he said, while reclined in his arm chair, staring at his big screen TV and PS3. I'm also torn by his statements about conformity, peace of mind and adventure. Having lived a life trying to "do the right thing" I have passed on too many opportunities for adventure. This was made all too clear once I'd done "all the wrong things" to be with my then girlfriend, now wife.
I read Krakauer's "In to Thin Air" many years ago and couldn't put it down. Looks like I'll have to line this one up.
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The nice thing about stories like this is that I can admire his anti-materialistic views, may be take a piece or two for my own personal life, may not take out that car loan because my 1990 truck is running just fine.
I'll need to put In to Thin Air on my reading list, I've watched several documentaries on Mt. Everest and the joy/horrors it holds.
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