Monday Moaning: Sporting Danger!

Monday Morning: Sporting Danger! 

The title can be considered a play of words and a tiny bit joking. Still the truth may not be far from it and hide the small group of thrill seekers that set a trend for newer generations.

Facts in this matter are kind of hidden in our way of life and thinking. Searching for thrills we do make things more scary, higher or faster within the boundaries of what is considered safe at that very moment.

It may be that last bit that changes and is a personal thought. I happen to know I mentioned this before in one of my moans. If you think it is safe to walk through a red light does not mean I think it is safe. No matter how well you look to your left and right. This behaviour at the same time is an example to the younger generations, who in their minds see less danger in the first place.

So here we are creating higher and faster rollercoasters, waterslides. Add the extra rules in order to keep it within limits of safety and sport with death, or at least have the feel of living on an edge.

And here is me, a crow who once searched for thrills hanging of cliffs free climbing being all responsible. Or is it that I got smarter and stopped defying death. Not really as I picked up my mountain bike again and is racing downhill without a helmet (I take full responsibility).

It is obvious we all think different on the subject. Whenever a death occurs, whether it is a base diver hitting a cliff or a rollercoaster visitor swept from its seat it is also very obvious how we think. The base diver took a risk and the adventure park with the rollercoaster is faulty for not keeping safety in check or had not done maintenance. But is that fair to say these things when we are the ones seeking that thrill and what if they followed every protocol (responsibility again).

Still we are not pleased because I am sure that the one who died had the ride of his life before his or last one and even thought eh wanted to go faster or higher. We seek to sport a game with death but god if a person dies.

And after all that we quickly forget and move higher and faster once again.

This is pretty much the other side of a story as well where we do not listen to rules and warnings and move along anyways. But does not mean that despite warnings you are willing to take responsibility for the risk at hand. Why shout and scream death and murder when it goes wrong.

I love that adrenaline rush, I do. I plead guilty in al accounts and even have moved past restrictions whenever I felt it was safe enough to take that risk. Knowing full well I would never be able to hold anyone accountable for my own mistake if things go wrong.

Now the news reached me of a 10 year old dying on a water slide. The slide was for 14 year and up and had a minimum height. Sure enough there is a on going investigation to see if protocol was followed. One thing to mention is a ID card can not be asked when your in swimwear. Where to put that thing right. A lie is easily made up.

And no not saying the pool or park has done everything right, it is just keeping in mind our very own nature. And looking at myself when I was that age. Riding scooters when your years to young to do so, but with some height you already look older.

We sport danger and love it.

Through age and gathering some knowledge we cool down a little and take it slower. But we have done it and the youth wants to go beyond our boundaries of danger. The only difference might be when we throw in the responsibility tag into the equation.

Not to mention that with new techniques we also create different kinds of danger even the kind we do not want to visit. To be put in danger due to the irresponsibility of someone else is the worst thing that could happen to you.

What I am trying to get at is the Pokemon Go hype. Though we take risks I see an increase in dangerous situations and even have found myself in some.

Cycling is a danger to begin with, it holds risk of being scooped up by a car. Luckily here in this country as a cyclist you have more rights and protection by law. It is when you get hit by a car it is easy and assumed that the car drove to fast. Whether the bike drove through a red light or not would not be an issue.

With the game that is going on you see more cyclist if not the sporting kind looking at their phones rather than keeping an eye on traffic. It is good to mention that driving and being on your cell is illegal and can get you a fine of around 200 bucks. So why can you on a bike still hold a cell?

To sport with danger is one thing, to be irresponsible is just beyond stupid but it is not being fined, let alone have them get a slap on the wrist that is idiotic.

Do we still see danger when we look around us. Or do we only feel danger when we assume a terrorist attack during a gay parade.

Which by the way did not happen last weekend and was one big ass party for the LBGT community here in Amsterdam. I know I am getting of topic but it was great to see a boat full of different religions, or a boat with people above the age of 75. Last one to mention was the boat filled with foreign policemen and women, army , or government officials from countries who would kill them instantly if they were found out to be gay.

Back to the question on how our danger perception has either evolved or weakened. Does less things thrill us or do we need bigger highs on adrenaline.

These questions do come to mind when looking at life in general, have we lost our fun and love for life or did we let it take over to the point of boredom where everything is done instead of done ourselves.

Just your Monday Moan from the
Ranting Crow.