The news wires are full of reports about the three American tourists/freelance journalists that got lost while hiking on the border of Iraq and have been arrested after they wandered into Iran. The Swiss consulate is negotiating on the behalf of the US as there are no official diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In the same vein there are reports every winter of hikers/snow boarders that went to closed slopes and got stuck in avalanches (sometimes they even cause the avalanches). Thousands of dollars are wasted in rescuing the 2 or 3 stuck in a predicament of their own making.
The question that keeps coming up is why? Why be so curious/careless/reckless/daring that you are heedless to the consequences? Why not take a little bit of care and save yourself (and others) much pain and anguish? Are these people attentions-seekers? Are they hoping to get a good story out of the whole ordeal? Why does the fulfillment of their whims and desires supercede all other thought?
Many other parts of the world also have beautiful caves and waterfalls- surely the Irani border was not the only place to go see Nature’s wonders.
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I will agree with you to a certain extent i.e. why go looking for adventures where you do know that trouble will be caused. However, I want to look at the flip side of this and I guess speculate on the purpose of these journalists being there.
It is a known fact that journalists get a ‘local’ to help them get around, but it’s easy for the guide to slip away – this is a frequent occurance. GPS systems and satelite phones aren’t the cleverest things always, so their reliability plays a big part in people getting lost. Other times, it could be that the journalists are like me – took a wrong left turn because one can’t read a map, and end up where you dont want to be.
I think if these journalists were trying to report or go undercover for something worthy, then it’s unfortunate that they have got stuck in this mess. On the other hand, if they are idiots looking for a chance – well then they are trully idiots!
My partiality is towards journalists because I was once on that path.
I agree that huge costs occur to rescue people from these situations, situations which have generally come about from their own foolishness. Even if they were reporters I think they should have had a better plan in place. Perhaps governments should later bill these people for the amount of time and effort that goes in to their rescue. It would literally add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It might make them think twice or be better prepared.
I guess it has to do with wanting to get “the story” that makes them think about what they have right now and not being able to think about the consequences. People are driven by wanting to be happy or running away from pain.. either way being careful and planning things ahead is never bad.
People do crazy things in the name of adventure. Even if it isn’t for the best story or other monetary gain, many people will do things like this for the high of taking the risk.
Every year thousands of people attempt to climb the world’s tallest peaks, many of which (Everest, K2…) have a reputation for deaths. We jump off planes with parachutes, off buildings with ropes around our legs. We surf in shark infested waters. We drive over the speed limit and offroad on dangerous terrain. And we break bones and risk paralysis by performing crazy stunts on skateboards, rollerblades and bikes.
Everybody has their vice, and in most countries, a socialized form of rescue and medical treatments means that the costs of this very insanity is shared among all of us. It’s a terrible compromise, but a direct byproduct of us being what we are: human.
I can understand adventure (I’ve been sky diving) but it seems that people are going for more extreme versions of sports/hikes/trips/journalism than ever before- it’s like an insatiable appetite for entertainment that has become the goal in life. The two journalists arrested in North Korea are another example. Bill Clinton is currently in North Korea for negotiations- all comes out of taxpayer money
Adventure.. risk.. fun… hey we are human after all. But it’s also irresponsibility on their part. Hello, aren’t you supposed to PREPARE thoroughly for such escapades…
[...] Wanderlust in Iran, extreme journalism in North Korea and now psychology papers in Burma! Maybe someone should introduce piranhas into the lake by Suu Kyi’s house to prevent further intrusions… [...]