[pct-l] Sorta OT - Reaction to Abby Sunderland's Rescue

Tue Jun 15 09:14:10 CDT 2010

In Abby Sunderland's defense, she was in the indian ocean at that time to avoid the hot bed of pirate activity. I am not saying she should have been out there to begin with but if I had to chose between sailing through rough weather or through a pirate gauntlet, i would take my chances with the weather. in hind sight, she should have armed herself with a couple automatic rifles, taken a northern route throught the indian ocean, and killed a couple of those swashbuckling a-holes to rack up some record breaking bonus points. i sure she could use the extra booty right about now seeing the whole TV show gig is probably going to end up like her boat, dead in the water. 

patch

> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:10:23 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Abby Sunderland's reality TV show
> To: Ken Murray <kmurray at pol.net>
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <859488.7465.qm at web111603.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> Ken, 
> After reading your two informative posts on the subject and the attached article, I have changed my opinion regarding Abby's sailing adventure. I had no idea that the boat was less than sea-ready or that her father had preplanned selling a "reality" show and was willing to risk his daughters life in quest of a "record"- even though it would mean her sailing through the Indian Ocean during the stormy season.? I had read about her brother Zack's voyage and didn't see any good reason why his sister could not do a similar one just because she was a year younger and a girl.? In her case big mistakes were made. 
> MendoRider
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Ken Murray <kmurray at pol.net>
> To: . <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Mon, June 14, 2010 10:54:56 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Abby Sunderland's reality TV show
> 
> Sunderland "reality" show preplanned before Abby's misadventure
> 13 June 2010 
> 
> Sunderland "reality" show was preplanned before Abby's misadventure: Adventures in Sunderland (Reality TV Show) Distribution Rights: Magnetic Entertainment Exec Producer: Magnetic Entertainment "A family oriented Adventure show, based on the Sunderland Family of Thousand Oaks, CA. We follow the family in their day-to-day lives as shipbuilder Laurence Sunderland and mother/teacher Marianne try to balance work and family."
> 
> http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/sail_kid_parents_set_cour_for_tv_crGRuKCVBcBCM5v3s23ULK
> 
> 
> I heard she was never even in the balloon, I mean boat.
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> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:40:36 -0700
> From: "Eric Lee" <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Reaction to Abby Sunderland's Rescue
> To: "'Ken Murray'" <kmurray at pol.net>, <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <BAY145-ds136024955D058FEFBFC499BDDD0 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
> 
> Ken wrote:
> >
> I've met a lot of phenomenal youth sailors, including world champions. I
> would NOT have any of them do this, and Abby in not in their class. I've
> never understood the argument that because you CAN do something, you SHOULD
> do it. 
> >
> 
> My opinion is similar to Ken's, though I'm not nearly as qualified to have
> one as he is.
> 
> First, I'm all for encouraging kids and people of all ages to live their
> lives fully and to have adventures. A perfectly safe life is not worth
> living. Some risk is inevitable; the question is what do you get in return
> for the risks you take and are you willing to accept responsibility for the
> consequences of your choices?
> 
> I think Abby Sunderland's age is not really the issue here; the issue is why
> she was in that ocean at this time of year in that boat. Youth or adult,
> that was pushing the boundary of irresponsibility. There's a difference
> between doing something that is normally safe, though some unusual accident
> might occur, vs. doing something that has a very significant chance of
> disaster. I'm not a sailor but my understanding is that the Indian ocean in
> winter is known for its ferocious storms. An outcome like this was entirely
> foreseeable. She lost her boat but could easily have lost her life and she
> wouldn't have been the first, not by a long shot.
> 
> I think there's a difference between fear and respect. BigToe's original
> question is a good one: why is there so much irrational fear of the natural
> world these days? I think that as a society we're becoming entirely too
> disconnected from reality. We life artificial lives, in artificial
> buildings, eating artificial food, and having artificial relationships.
> This causes two unfortunate results: either people become irrationally
> risk-adverse and are ruled by The Fear, or they do stupid things and take
> stupid chances. In both cases the cause is the same - they have no concept
> of how the natural world *actually* works, what situations are likely to
> occur, and what situations are unlikely to occur. Instead of dealing with
> reality on its terms they float along in their own make-believe world.
> 
> I think we need to develop a better respect for the natural world, approach
> it on its terms, and embrace it rather than try to conquer it.
> 
> Eric
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:00:52 -0500
> From: David Ellzey <david at xpletive.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Abby Sunderland's reality TV show
> To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:
> <3CF44C7E5B716541B6A0A9AF694AC6633350532C59 at AUSP01VMBX02.collaborationhost.net>
> 
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Ken, et al,
> 
> I should clarify the question I was asking as I do not think I was all that clear. The question I was trying to ask was: do the people on this list believe that the Sunderland's were reckless in letting Abby attempt the excursion because of her age?
> 
> I know little of sailing beyond the basic theory so I cannot even begin to judge if she was competent enough or whether her boat was up to the task. I also do not know enough to judge to timing of her trip. All of these would certainly be valid criticisms from people who know such things. The thing that sparked my original post was that 90% of the comments on the news article were deriding her and the parents solely due to her age. Since I am doing more than a little research on the subject of "Nature Deficit Disorder" those comments really struck a chord with me.
> 
> Oh, on the other hand it just so happens I know a lot about the world of reality television. You should definitely NOT use sensationalist journalism for good information on this particular subject. The "reality" of the situation is that a no-name and likely shady production company approached the Sunderland's well into their preparations for her trip. Apparently the family isn't what most people would consider normal. Anyhow, there was no "pre-planned" show. Furthermore this production company (one I've never heard of) did not have a network deal, they were essentially hoping they could sell the concept. As I understand it, none of the networks even gave it consideration and the deal with the family has been more or less dead for a while now.
> 
> So again, setting aside that you (and likely many others with experience) believe she was not competent, the boat setup was not sufficient and the timing was all wrong. Do you also believe that her young age _alone_ should have kept her parents from letting her make the attempt?
> 
> BigToe
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Edward Anderson
> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 9:10 PM
> To: Ken Murray
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Abby Sunderland's reality TV show
> 
> Ken, 
> After reading your two informative posts on the subject and the attached article, I have changed my opinion regarding Abby's sailing adventure. I had no idea that the boat was less than sea-ready or that her father had preplanned selling a "reality" show and was willing to risk his daughters life in quest of a "record"- even though it would mean her sailing through the Indian Ocean during the stormy season.? I had read about her brother Zack's voyage and didn't see any good reason why his sister could not do a similar one just because she was a year younger and a girl.? In her case big mistakes were made. 
> MendoRider
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Ken Murray <kmurray at pol.net>
> To: . <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Mon, June 14, 2010 10:54:56 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Abby Sunderland's reality TV show
> 
> Sunderland "reality" show preplanned before Abby's misadventure
> 13 June 2010 
> 
> Sunderland "reality" show was preplanned before Abby's misadventure: Adventures in Sunderland (Reality TV Show) Distribution Rights: Magnetic Entertainment Exec Producer: Magnetic Entertainment "A family oriented Adventure show, based on the Sunderland Family of Thousand Oaks, CA. We follow the family in their day-to-day lives as shipbuilder Laurence Sunderland and mother/teacher Marianne try to balance work and family."
> 
> http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/sail_kid_parents_set_cour_for_tv_crGRuKCVBcBCM5v3s23ULK
> 
> 
> I heard she was never even in the balloon, I mean boat.
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 06:07:04 -0700
> From: "Cate White" <cwhite at mcn.org>
> Subject: [pct-l] GPSs & compasses
> To: <Pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <014d01cb0c8b$a6c9edb0$f45dc910$@org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Would it be foolish to think I could learn how to safely navigate with a
> GPS, map, and compass in the store at REI? Apparently my long awaited trip
> from Ashland to Tuolomne starting July 1st might involve snow. I REALLY
> don't want to alter my plans unless I have to. Whatcha think?
> 
> c
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 9
> Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:52:59 +0000
> From: <gwschenk at socal.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPSs & compasses
> To: Cate White <cwhite at mcn.org>, Pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <20100615135300.UP5SF.36401.root at hrndva-web17-z02>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> ---- Cate White <cwhite at mcn.org> wrote: 
> > Would it be foolish to think I could learn how to safely navigate with a
> > GPS, map, and compass in the store at REI? Apparently my long awaited trip
> > from Ashland to Tuolomne starting July 1st might involve snow. I REALLY
> > don't want to alter my plans unless I have to. Whatcha think?
> 
> It would not be foolish to think that.
> 
> Good luck and have fun.
> 
> Gary
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 10
> Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:01:28 +0000
> From: <gwschenk at socal.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Sorta OT - Reaction to Abby Sunderland's Rescue
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <20100615140128.AVH5M.36550.root at hrndva-web17-z02>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> ---- Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com> wrote: 
> > Ken wrote:
> > >
> > I've met a lot of phenomenal youth sailors, including world champions. I
> > would NOT have any of them do this, and Abby in not in their class. I've
> > never understood the argument that because you CAN do something, you SHOULD
> > do it. 
> > >
> > 
> > ...
> > I think Abby Sunderland's age is not really the issue here; the issue is why
> > she was in that ocean at this time of year in that boat. Youth or adult,
> > that was pushing the boundary of irresponsibility. There's a difference
> > between doing something that is normally safe, though some unusual accident
> > might occur, vs. doing something that has a very significant chance of
> > disaster. I'm not a sailor but my understanding is that the Indian ocean in
> > winter is known for its ferocious storms. An outcome like this was entirely
> > foreseeable. She lost her boat but could easily have lost her life and she
> > wouldn't have been the first, not by a long shot.
> > ...
> 
> 
> "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
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> End of Pct-l Digest, Vol 30, Issue 45
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