[Paddlewise] Paddling Wisely (was: Risk vs Natural Selection)

> From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>

> Before I begin, though, I would like to take issue with a key point in
> your previous posting, which is pretty much covered in the title...the
> phrase Natural Selection.  I remember seeing that phrase tossed around a
> few years ago in rec.boats.paddle pretty much the way you have done,

What I remember about that dialogue was that the self-righteous advocate
of natural selection was later slam dunked himself pretty good.  Completely
changed his perspective on natural selection, I recall. :-) 

LedJube_at_aol.com wrote:

> > How may
> > times does an intelligent person like yourself need to be reminded that
> > hypothermia can kill? Or that wind and waves can blow you off course?  Or
> > that the lack of a roll in rough conditions means that you'll probably end up
> > swimming?

>From Ralph:

> Jed, what you are
> forgetting is that perhaps there is a 10-20% turnover on PaddleWise
> every few months and so many newcomers are constantly entering the
> listserver.  You see this in many ways.  The same questions are asked
> about VHF radios or paddlefloats or where to get charts, etc.

This is true.  The membership to this list is by no means static.

Ralph wrote:

> cheerfully because that is my nature but also because even when
> questions are asked hundreds of times, there are always some new
> wrinkles I had not thought of and so I benefit from the question and the
> answer myself.

I see that, too.  We are always getting new information or additional
information from often repeated questions.  That is, in part, due to the
turn-over in the list.  Sometimes a question is asked when both the
questioner and the responder are both new to PaddleWise... such as when
Arthur Hebert ( http://homepages.gs.net/seacajun ) joined us last year and 
could provide his perspective on paddling days-on-end with no land in sight.  
I'm always learning something new in repeated topics, often because of "new
blood."

LedJube_at_aol.com wrote:

> >     And now, two years later, I'm still no expert but I am a competent
> > paddler who has yet to find his limits, and who because of postings by and
> > discussions with elite paddlers, has *safely* reached my third season with a
> > head absolutely full of WELL-INTENTIONED safety advice. At my level I need to
> > experience vicariously through the elite paddlers just where the line is. But
> > these people are being CENSORED because a non paddler might misinterpret the
> > information and charge off to cross the North Sea. I say let him go, it's a
> > free ocean. Please don't DENY ME the sources of information that I seek.

Censored?  What are you referring to?  Who is being censored "because a non paddler
might misinterpret the information..." and where are they being censored?  I
would like to clarify if you mean they are being censored here on PaddleWise.
Surely you don't as that has never been the case here. 

> >     I too welcome safety info BUT WE SEEMED TO HAVE LOST OUR BEARING. I don't
> > need another source of safety info, thanks very much, I need information on
> > tide races and wind effects and rolling tips in rough conditions, etc., etc.
> > Maybe your newness keeps you hungry for the basic safety information, for me
> > the hunger has been satiated, now I'm being force fed and I don't like it.

Huh?  When I didn't like the way a particular list was heading, I set up a new 
one. While that's not an easy solution for most folks, it's always there.  An
easier one would be to start a dialogue of interest to you.  I'm not sure how
you are being force-fed basic safety information here.  If I've seen it 
before and have nothing to add, I delete it.  If it's of no interest to me, I 
delete it.   It belongs on PaddleWise if it is on-topic, non-commercial, and
not flaming as well as of general interest to the majority.  Discussion here
have indicated that safety is of general interest to the majority (besides
being a primary goal of PaddleWise).

Ralph is correct in stating "we have not lost our way and are on-topic
according to the premise of PaddleWise" in continued discussion of safety
here.  If you need a refresher on that, please see http://www.paddlewise.net/
My main goal in establishing PaddleWise was to have a source where newcomers
could come to hopefully learn about safe paddling.  We were losing so many
such subscribers on the other list and, therefore, the opportunity to reach
out and to inform as well as learn (safety could not be discussed because it 
always led to the sponson flames).  While this wasn't the only purpose for
PaddleWise, it was my *main* goal for establishing PaddleWise.  Besides the 
obvious risks, ignorant paddlers can mean more restrictions for everyone.  I 
embrace the wisdom and advice/suggestions from experienced paddlers and respect 
and thank them for their patience and continued offerings here as well as 
appreciate the questions from the newcomers from which I often learn.  Even if 
the questions have been asked and answered before.

Jackie
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