Daredevil to jump from 120,000ft.

[GRiM]

A DAREDEVIL ex-SAS soldier is to attempt a record-breaking skydive — from 120,000ft. (I don't know why they need to add that he is a ex-SAS soldier, and then call him stuntman/daredevil. (my comment))

Movie stuntman Steve Truglia, 40, will jump from a hot air balloon 24 miles up on the edge of space.

Going supersonic ... Steve Truglia

That is three times the cruising altitude of a Jumbo jet. Only a Space Shuttle flies higher, shedding its rocket boosters at 150,000ft.

He will freefall for seven minutes before opening his parachute, and could break the 770mph sound barrier as he hurtles towards the ground. No human has ever travelled at such a speed outside an aircraft — and Steve has no idea how his body will react.

He will need a pressurised space suit in temperatures of -100°C and risks going into an 800 revolutions per second spin.

But Steve, of East London, said: “It’s the last great challenge left on Earth. Obviously it will be dangerous. We’re playing with a lot of unknowns. But it’s my job to assess risk and I don’t believe the problems are insurmountable.”

Steve is a veteran of 1,200 jumps with 21 SAS Regiment and the Royal Marines. He has since co-ordinated stunts in Bond films.

He plans a jump from 52,000ft over Norfolk in May to break the European record — before attempting the world record in the autumn.

Meanwhile he is seeking sponsors for a seven-figure sum. The current record of 102,000ft was set by US Air Force officer Joseph Kittinger in 1960.

Still I find this a bit funny, is that a record that realy have to be broken? But I guess he likes his adrenaline :)

 

[Joe]

A good example of what is wrong with humanity.

Joe

 

[Russ]

Well, if he were doing it for charity, or to highlight something, maybe its not so bad. But on its own it just seems to be a pointless risk.

 

[nemo]

I don`t quite get your comments.

Though his planned stunt is arguably on the extreme side, couldn`t one easily create an endless
list with less spectacular interests and ambitions to illustrate what`s wrong with humanity?
I see this more like an art or music or sport event.
Faster, higher, newer...
From what we`ve heard on a recent music thread, becoming a pop star doesn`t seem less risky.
Surely beats frying one`s brain with a c***k pipe.

 

[GRiM]

I don`t quite get your comments.

Though his planned stunt is arguably on the extreme side, couldn`t one easily create an endless
list with less spectacular interests and ambitions to illustrate what`s wrong with humanity?
I see this more like an art or music or sport event.
Faster, higher, newer...
From what we`ve heard on a recent music thread, becoming a pop star doesn`t seem less risky.
Surely beats frying one`s brain with a c***k pipe.

Well, if the world would be falling apart around you, would you really plan such a multi-million project to break a pre 100.000 feet jump record? Seem like a very complex distraction at best.
I just found the contrast funny in a way.

 

[ScioAgapeOmnis]

I don`t quite get your comments.
Though his planned stunt is arguably on the extreme side, couldn`t one easily create an endless
list with less spectacular interests and ambitions to illustrate what`s wrong with humanity?

I'd say the answer is yes. The way I understood Joe's comment, is that he is but one example of what is generally a common "problem" afflicting humanity.

From what we`ve heard on a recent music thread, becoming a pop star doesn`t seem less risky.

I'd say pop stars = another good example of what's wrong with humanity. Should be a cass glossary entry lol :P

 

[Azur]

Hey! Maybe we can all chip in and buy him a nomex suit, so that he could ride and guide (to a safe? place), the next rogue satellite that comes along.

THAT would be impressive AND useful.

 

[Z...]

The problem with these people is that they get hooked on adrenaline. Life in between adrenalin fixes only serves to purpose of getting more fixes, it is like completely changed personality, no empathy, no deeper emotions, well the same as any other substance junkie.

 

[Joe]

I don`t quite get your comments.

Though his planned stunt is arguably on the extreme side, couldn`t one easily create an endless
list with less spectacular interests and ambitions to illustrate what`s wrong with humanity?
I see this more like an art or music or sport event.
Faster, higher, newer...

Indeed. And where has "faster higher newer" brought humanity to today? Most art is nonsense, some music is ok, sport is just savagery. What we have here is a technologically advanced society of neanderthals and one of them has decided he wants to jump out of a balloon at 120,000 feet.

Sounds about right

Joe

 

[nemo]

And where has "faster higher newer" brought humanity to today?

To the mess we`re living in right now?

What we have here is a technologically advanced society of neanderthals and one of them has decided he wants
to jump out of a balloon at 120,000 feet.

Are not most of us (me included) unconscious neanderthals and are we not dependent on some fix or other (like my nicotine or endorphine fixes)?
From that perspective I don`t see a fundamental difference between the ambition of becoming a contemporary Harry Houdini
or collecting stamps or cars, painting pictures, climbing mountains, watching soaps, appearing in "Big Brother" etc.
I do see a general difference, but wouldn`t "G" argue that it`s really all the same?
And is there a fundamental difference between substance addiction and emotional, intellectual etc. addictions.
Is what happens in the brain not quite similiar?

 

[anart]

Are not most of us (me included) unconscious neanderthals and are we not dependent on some fix or other (like my nicotine or endorphine fixes)?

And your positing that this is acceptable? It's just the way it is so why is it a problem?

From that perspective I don`t see a fundamental difference between the ambition of becoming a contemporary Harry Houdini
or collecting stamps or cars, painting pictures, climbing mountains, watching soaps, appearing in "Big Brother" etc.
I do see a general difference, but wouldn`t "G" argue that it`s really all the same?

I sincerely doubt 'G' would waste time commenting on it all - though he might call it 'merde' - as well as calling the idea of it all 'being the same', all 'the way it is' - 'merde' as well.

And is there a fundamental difference between substance addiction and emotional, intellectual etc. addictions.
Is what happens in the brain not quite similiar?

Why would this distinction, or lack of, matter in this case? Mechanical behavior is what is wrong with humanity - in all its forms - including being so monumentally self-involved that one needs to set a record flinging oneself from a higher point above the earth than anyone else ever has. Perhaps the vapid waste of energy/resources/life is only remarkable for it's scale - matching quite closely the scale of human stupidity and the 'merde' that is all but a vanishingly rare sliver of humanity.

 

[nemo]

And your positing that this is acceptable? It's just the way it is so why is it a problem?

Of course not!
It was more the realization that most people (incl. me) are unconscious. From this realization, hopefully, comes the will to change.

I sincerely doubt 'G' would waste time commenting on it all - though he might call it 'merde' -
as well as calling the idea of it all 'being the same', all 'the way it is' - 'merde' as well.

I would usually differentiate. Maybe my faulty preliminary understanding from reading ISOTM suggested the assumption that,
since most people are asleep, their various occupations, interests and ambitions are "all the same" that is, they lead to nothing.
IF I understand you correctly, I agree there are general (?) or even fundamental (?) differences between various ambitions,
esp. regarding how much nonrenewable energy is being used up (wasted) on those occupations (even if they don`t lead to an awakening process).
Puhh, am I confusing things here? I think I am.
I also wondered if the fact, that a lot of people own huge houses, spending lots of energy on it and their swimming pools, own several
big cars and who complain that they can slum in some southsea paradise only twice a year is not actually more extreme than this
guy`s single stunt, esp. since the former is considered normal.

Why would this distinction, or lack of, matter in this case?

I doesn`t matter. That`s what I wanted to say (regard. Deckard`s post), but obviously my post just helped to confuse things.
I`m sorry for being obtuse. There are so many questions I have about The 4th Way, but I rather continue to find more answers in
the recommended books before posting questions prematurely!

 

[Joe]

And where has "faster higher newer" brought humanity to today?

To the mess we`re living in right now?

What we have here is a technologically advanced society of neanderthals and one of them has decided he wants
to jump out of a balloon at 120,000 feet.

Are not most of us (me included) unconscious neanderthals and are we not dependent on some fix or other (like my nicotine or endorphine fixes)?
From that perspective I don`t see a fundamental difference between the ambition of becoming a contemporary Harry Houdini
or collecting stamps or cars, painting pictures, climbing mountains, watching soaps, appearing in "Big Brother" etc.
I do see a general difference, but wouldn`t "G" argue that it`s really all the same?
And is there a fundamental difference between substance addiction and emotional, intellectual etc. addictions.
Is what happens in the brain not quite similiar?

Yeah, all part of the "neanderthal" problem. I didn't say that jumping out of a balloon at 120,000 feet was any worse than collecting stamps. Post an article about some guy who spent his life collecting stamps and I'll say the same thing.

Joe

 

[Joe]

Another example:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/feb/25/8?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

Man died after taking part in fairy cake eating competition

February 25 2008

A man taking part in an eating contest has died after several fairy cakes became lodged in his throat.

Adam Deeley, 34, collapsed in the early hours of last Friday morning at the Monkey Cafe nightclub in Swansea. Staff at the venue tried to revive him before paramedics arrived.

South Wales Police are waiting for the outcome of a post-mortem examination before they announce the cause of death, but are treating it as an accident.

Deeley, originally from Birmingham, was a graphic design student in Swansea. He also worked at the nightclub, but he was attending the event, a cake-eating contest to raise funds for a local artist, on his night off. He is thought to have agreed to take part at around 2am to help clear up leftover cakes.

 

[GRiM]

Yeah, all part of the "neanderthal" problem. I didn't say that jumping out of a balloon at 120,000 feet was any worse than collecting stamps. Post an article about some guy who spent his life collecting stamps and I'll say the same thing.Joe

United States Scott 1306 - 1322 mint MNH F/VF and better.........US$31,607
1966 Complete year Commemoratives, 16 stamps and one Souvenir sheet

edit:First search above, seems I was way off:

Sometime last week (Thursday, January 03, 2008), someone bought an American 24 cent stamp which had an inverted plane for around US$825,000

1 Ct. black on red 1856..........................................................ca. US$1,500,000
In 1980 it was auctioned to John Dupont for $935,000

The most expensive is a Swedish 3 skilling stamp which was the wrong colour. That sold for around US$2,500,000 about 10 years ago. A number of other stamps could beat that if only they come onto the market.


^_^