Bob Volin wrote: > Shawn, am I correct in understanding you to say that it's futile for > experienced paddlers to try to illuminate elements of risk for the less > experienced? Well, no. I was simply stating that we need to be able to assess our own risk based on our own skills and conditions we will likely encounter. Not assessing my risk (as a novice/intermediate paddler) based on an expert like Doug's view of conditions. A lot of these conversations have stemmed from trip reports from advanced paddlers like Doug and Duane. Their writing styles are such that the casual paddling reader can see what risks they experience (as skilled paddlers). I am stating two things: their own words are enough to warn a responsible novice that they "should not try this at home, kids!"--that additional caveats and disclaimers by them or others reading the posts are unnecessary. I am also stating that irresponsible and stupid people will do irresponsible and stupid things, whether or not they are forewarned, and whether or not they get the idea from a skilled and talented expert. > I agree that people don't really "know" most things -- > especially their limits, both positive and negative -- until they experience > them, but I emphatically don't agree that people can't understand in the > abstract where and how these limits are likely to be encountered. Bob, I agree wholeheartedly. I think you misunderstood the tone of my statements. I have learned a great deal from Duane's and Doug's posts. Even though I have never and may never experience the same hairy situations, I can understand their actions in the abstract. The essence of my post was that personal responsibility is key. When Ralph posted that the euphoria created in a less-skilled reader could get them in trouble, I stated that personal reality checks and responsibility are critical, and not explicit warnings from the author and others that imitating their actions is risky. Shawn Ralph Diaz wrote: >>>Sometimes in the wake of telling a tale of >>>a risky situation overcomed through will and skill, a euphoria emerges >>>in the listener who might overlook that will and skill and think it is >>>okay to try the same without the will and skill. Shawn Baker wrote: > >And sometimes an irresponsible boater will go off and try something > >daring and stupid without will and skill, and without any ideas from > >experts who have overcome risky situations. > >If a person has [personal responsibility], they'll heed the warnings [of > >more experienced paddlers] and stay near their limits to learn and become more > >skilled boaters. If a person lacks that responsibility, no amount of warnings > >on a listserv will teach them the requisite responsibility. Shawn -- Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N © 1999 ____©/______ 114°06'W ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Feb 24 2000 - 07:29:49 PST
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