Thanks Graig, for your long post and insight! - I have been toying with the idea that Powter's categories in his book might be useful. Been paddling for 11 years now, and have seen quite a lot of people doing quite a funny, strange and sometimes dangerous things at sea. Powter had three chapters (categories) describing 'the driving issues and forces behind the characters': the burdened, the bent and the lost. Though I think the category titles have quite a lot poetic freedom of expression, it is fascinating to read his stories and descriptions. How about if your fellow paddler becomes (or is) a risk? Or, sometimes, you? The 'burdened' were 'haunted by the tremendous challenge to succeed, either from within or without'. - I have seen that, and witnessed the pressure. Sometimes I work hard to avoid this in myself. 'The bent were likely drawn to adventure and acted the way they did because of a deeply seated malignancy in their psychological make- up'. - Not familiar about this, but egocentric adventurers are not quite uncommon, aren't they? At worst this could be described as narcissistic or sociopathic character. Powter spends few lines to ponder the thin line between self-absorved activity/constructive risk- taking and pure narcissism which can lead others into danger. I find the subject fascinating and have some doubts that I have met one or two people who do fit this category. 'The lost were people whose adventures ultimately had the same rudderless quality that their lives did, drifting sadly, frantically or naovely toward their unhappy conclusions'. -Again, quite familiar subject, though fortunately no tragic endings... at least as far as I know. Not a misanthropist, but if I am paddling alone, at least I have chosen my company ;-) Ari Saarto - navigare necesse est - tel. + 358 (0) 40 58 59 676 http://asaarto1.blogspot.com/ > > This is why I think paddlewise and other venues are so important as > discussion centers for educational purposes. And, of course, for > fun too. > > Thanks for the link. I hope the puppy outgrows his/her penchant for > 1am > rambles or you are in trouble. <grin> > > > Craig Jungers > Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Dec 19 2007 - 01:07:42 PST
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