I’ve just gone through the thread “Real MEN vs. Modern WIMP men or where did the adventure spirit go”. It’s pretty thought-provoking.
Although the thread specifically addresses men, it should apply to women too. Life was physically more demanding back then (before the 1930s) and people had no choice but to do what they had to. There wasn’t an option. Some were more adventurous and responded to the call of the wild, but most were satisfied to live life as comfortably as possible. The adventurers took the best gear available to them, then headed off into the wild. (Although if the adventurer was inexperienced, or if the expedition was to be a major one, I’m sure there would have been lots of preparation. Just think of mountaineers and Antarctic explorers.)
People look at heroic men of the past and feel that they couldn’t compare. Too many people have this attitude, and it’s the attitude that prevents them from being incredible themselves. Determination; the refusal to quit, is what makes people incredible.
Since those days, life and its needs have changed; technology developed and a smothering “keep everyone safe in a padded bubble” attitude developed. Comfort was what most people looked for, and were encouraged into.
These changes have eroded the desire for adventure in most people, but that urge, that spirit, is still there; undefined in many people. Modern life makes us feel like we’re not as capable as we really are; it masks our underlying power. We are physical beings, and as such need physical challenges to grow. People who feel this undefined void look to fill it in other ways: many take up extreme sports, but too many look for answers in negative ways.
To the people here on the forums, that urge is strongly defined. We know it’s what we want. Adventure. The need to be part of the physical world, away from the superficial veneer of society and its spirit-robbing technology. I’ve got nothing against technology. In fact, I quite like it. But I’ve experienced the wild and can see that technology can distract us from reality and dissociate us from our physical, animal nature. I’m sure many of you can too. To people that have grown accustomed to technology but haven’t immersed themselves in the wild, its use will make them dependent on it; blind to its fallibility and susceptibility to failure.
Adventure’s got nothing to do with the latest and greatest gear. But as with all gear, it should only extend our capabilities, not replace them. It’s the experience, not the stuff we carry, that should satiate our desire to be part of the wild. I love adventure movies and photos of adventurers with all sorts of gear because it reignites the spark… the call to adventure. I’m sure it does in others too, particularly the inexperienced. Unfortunately many think that the gear is what makes them able to take on an adventure. This thinking should be (and is) discouraged by most of the people here. Knowledge and experience developed over time is what counts. Without them, it would be foolish to go into the wild with zero fear in your gut.
The Survival Forums are a great place to pass on any knowledge and the adventure spirit to the inexperienced; to mentor people into becoming real men and real women through theory and practice. Collectively we have the ability to make people (and therefore the world) a better place. There are wise elders and idealistic youngsters. There is passion and energy. I particularly like klkak’s thought on the matter:
"Every man and woman of us who have wisdom should without hesitation share it with those who seek it. In doing so we help a few who in return may help a few more."
We should instil the adventure spirit in others because it creates well-rounded men and women. It unlocks and develops these secret powers you may not know you even had:
• Respect for the wild
• Connection with our animal nature
• Self-reliance
• Inner strength
• Physical toughness and fitness
• Determination
• Mental development through planning and problem solving
• Adaptability
• Resilience to adversity
• Patience
• Confidence
• The realization that our limits are greater than we believe
• A deeper understanding of the interrelatedness of things
• An appreciation and wonder of the natural world
What secret power has adventure unlocked in you? How has the wilderness improved you?
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