Goal of Climbing
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the lurkist
- Posts: 2240
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2002 2:07 pm
I might add that to some degree I think most of us are consumed with climbing in an attempt to delude ourselves that what we are doing is really worthwhile and has any redeeming quality aside from our own gratification. Climbing is someplace to hide from doing something worthwhile. It is good exercise, though. (Sorry to be a buzz kill)
"It really is all good ! My thinking only occasionally calls it differently..."
Normie
Normie
the lurkist, Then what is worthwile? Watching TV? Golf? Any of the other things people do to occupy the time they are not scratching to make enough money to pay for all the things they *need*? Not everyone is going to be Mother Terresa. How do you know what is worthwile and what is not? Should I stop climbing to work an extra job so I can drive a nicer car? Or should I quit all work, give away all my possitions and live in a cave and ponder the meaning of life? Really, to me, anything that gives you purpose in life is meaningful. And climbing gives me purpose, something to look forward to each day. Filling a void? Maybe, but I think I am better off dreaming of 5.12 rather then big screen tv's or new golf clubs.
Wes
Wes
"There is no secret ingredient"
Po, the kung fu panda
Po, the kung fu panda
wes, perhaps you missed the lurkist's over riding point. you admitted you climb because it gives you meaning. lurkist said that is why we climb, for the self gratification. the only saving grace I can see for climbing is that it keeps people out of other trouble, so in that way it does have a benefit higher than itself. but you slam TV watchers and golfers, but again, you are the one attaching a higher value to your climbing. I would argue that all recreational pursuits are mere diversions from a life of technology, drudgery, unhappiness, and boredom at what life is currently throwing at you.
look at your life, or someone else's, when it is in a state of true crisis. I would bet climbing takes a major backseat in importance in those moments. it only steps up if we are looking for a diversion from the stress of that crisis.
climbing really is meaningless, and to put it on the same plateau as admirable pursuits is folly. what mother T. did is way more important. what we can do to mentor others is way more important. what we can give to our community is way more important. sadly, climbing merely teaches us to be more selfish, and get our "thrill fill"...remember, in our culture, "me first" is the american way...
look at your life, or someone else's, when it is in a state of true crisis. I would bet climbing takes a major backseat in importance in those moments. it only steps up if we are looking for a diversion from the stress of that crisis.
climbing really is meaningless, and to put it on the same plateau as admirable pursuits is folly. what mother T. did is way more important. what we can do to mentor others is way more important. what we can give to our community is way more important. sadly, climbing merely teaches us to be more selfish, and get our "thrill fill"...remember, in our culture, "me first" is the american way...
Positive vibes brah...positive vibes.
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ElectricDisciple
- Posts: 297
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 4:42 am
Pigsteak; your response was interesting and funny! I'd like to climb with you some day actually. Learn from you and stuff.
Charlie: You're absolutely right to pick up on my statement about climbing only in the Gym. I should be spending some time on real rock to learn more about true rock climbing. However, I am spending a good bit of time on training to be able to feel confident on real rock. I hear so many stories of newbies going out to the red with no sense of respect for the rock and the danger in climbing ending up dead or something. So I am gearing up to climb down at the Red during the summer, to take pictures and have those moments for which I climb.
Gulliver: bah! how many posts of yours are not worthless and pathetic?
Paul3eb: Explain what you mean by my reading the Bible again (as if I didn't understand it the first or 400000th time) would give me more insight into climbing. My Bible says things like, "every athlete endures rigorous training to gain the prize he seeks" (I Cor). Jesus said that when ever a man builds a tower, does he not consider the costs of doing so (one of the synoptics). Paul again says to study (or learn) to show oneself to be approved. (II Tim). Of all the flack concerning my post yours is the least acceptable. Maybe we can discuss our issues PM to PM?
Finally, we don't take anything to heart here in this forum do we? And I'm cool with you guys if you are cool with me. I'd like to climb with all of you at some point anyhow. I am sure that I could learn alot from each of you.
Charlie: You're absolutely right to pick up on my statement about climbing only in the Gym. I should be spending some time on real rock to learn more about true rock climbing. However, I am spending a good bit of time on training to be able to feel confident on real rock. I hear so many stories of newbies going out to the red with no sense of respect for the rock and the danger in climbing ending up dead or something. So I am gearing up to climb down at the Red during the summer, to take pictures and have those moments for which I climb.
Gulliver: bah! how many posts of yours are not worthless and pathetic?
Paul3eb: Explain what you mean by my reading the Bible again (as if I didn't understand it the first or 400000th time) would give me more insight into climbing. My Bible says things like, "every athlete endures rigorous training to gain the prize he seeks" (I Cor). Jesus said that when ever a man builds a tower, does he not consider the costs of doing so (one of the synoptics). Paul again says to study (or learn) to show oneself to be approved. (II Tim). Of all the flack concerning my post yours is the least acceptable. Maybe we can discuss our issues PM to PM?
Finally, we don't take anything to heart here in this forum do we? And I'm cool with you guys if you are cool with me. I'd like to climb with all of you at some point anyhow. I am sure that I could learn alot from each of you.
nearly all of my posts are worthless and patheticYour's just had the feel of one of those rants where once you're done , your friends say 'Man you need to get laid"
You need to go outside and climb a rock.
You don't have to start with 11's or 12's
You are a sport climber so your gear selection , other than the occasional runner, is gonna be the next available draw.
If you are lucky, it won't be a contact sport for you. I think most sports have more activity physically.
Your goals all seem to be outside, so get out of the simulator and get your feet wet!
Take a good friend to belay you on that"one day I might spend a good week getting up a pitch.." If you see Jesus at the anchors say Hi for me.
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the lurkist
- Posts: 2240
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2002 2:07 pm
One of the good things that all of the fascination with climbing (and the disproportionate amount of time we all spend on doing it) brings is a nice community. I think pig hit on it but discounted it.
This doesn't just keep people out of trouble, but provides a sense of fraternity and community where there wouldn't be any. Perhaps this is escapist, too. Like a bunch of loser goth types belonging to some D and D club.
I can say most of my close long time friends I would not of met if not for climbing. So this is our only thing in common? For the most part, yeah. But without the community of climbing, I would be like most other grown men - no close male friends and a bunch of "golfing/business" acquaintances.
So, that is good.
This doesn't just keep people out of trouble, but provides a sense of fraternity and community where there wouldn't be any. Perhaps this is escapist, too. Like a bunch of loser goth types belonging to some D and D club.
I can say most of my close long time friends I would not of met if not for climbing. So this is our only thing in common? For the most part, yeah. But without the community of climbing, I would be like most other grown men - no close male friends and a bunch of "golfing/business" acquaintances.
So, that is good.
"It really is all good ! My thinking only occasionally calls it differently..."
Normie
Normie
amen!the lurkist wrote:One of the good things that all of the fascination with climbing (and the disproportionate amount of time we all spend on doing it) brings is a nice community...
This doesn't just keep people out of trouble, but provides a sense of fraternity and community where there wouldn't be any. ...
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau
by telling you to go read the bible again i didn't mean for you to gain any insight into climbing but rather insight on patience and understanding, insight on a fair and balanced, non-judgemental response, insight on humility and respect. and just because you read it plenty of times doesn't mean you understand it. do you really think that anyone does? i mean, completely and truly, in every sense of the word.ElectricDisciple wrote:Paul3eb: Explain what you mean by my reading the Bible again (as if I didn't understand it the first or 400000th time) would give me more insight into climbing.
and great loves will one day have to part -smashing pumpkins