Did you hear the one about the Brazilian priest and the balloons?

[Calavera]

Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli, in an attempt to break a 19 hour record in order to raise cash for a spiritual retreat, took off into the skies of Paranagua, Brazil under thousands of helium balloons.
After eight hours, he lost contact with port authority officials and is currently still missing.

Authorities have reportedly seen scraps of balloons floating in off the coast of Santa Catarina. Optimism is high that the priest will remain alive and unharmed, even in the water, for a good five days.


This is the greatest thing I have ever heard in my life...

[tim]

It isn't the first time such a thing has happened. There is a great story about some guy who thought it would be fun to float over his neighbor's back yard one weekend by attaching balloons to his lawn chair. Then he took off higher than expected. When aircraft started reporting the sight, the traffic controllers asked co-pilots to take over the controls, so unbelievable was it.

They finally got the guy down safely. Media were gathered to question him. When asked, "Why did you do it?" he replied, "Well, ou can't just sit around."

[Calavera]

The fact that this isn't the first time it had happened just makes it so much better, in my opinion. Really, you'd think that people would learn.
Why do people continue to do stupid things, tim?

[pixcoco]

Trying to impose logic on human nature?

[Calavera]

Originally Posted by pixcoco

Trying to impose logic on human nature?

For once, no. Though it is quite possible and simple to apply logic to human behavior, it's not what I'm after. If we wanted to get into that, we'd have to spend hours discussing it.
I'm simply looking for opinions as to why we do the things that we do. I value intellectual input and deep discussions that carry substance.
I know that each person on this forum has the capability to be a deep thinker and I want to encourage it. If there is one thing that someone cannot do without in their lives, it is stimulation, no matter if it's strictly the facts or if it is more philosophical.

There's simply not enough discussion these days. Most people would rather sit back and watch "insert name of wretched TV program here."
It's as if we have conditioned ourselves not to ask questions, and we are in a time where it is critical to ask questions.

So come one, let's strap ourselves in, share opinions and discuss.

[The_Princess_of_Bozonia]

At least one guy was successful in attaining helium balloon flight:
http://www.clown-forum.com/clown-caf...awn-chair.html

[Calavera]

What is it about these antics that makes them so appealing?

Would anyone on this forum consider giving it a try? Why or why not?
What precautions would you use?
How long would you attempt to do it?

Let me be the first to run my mouth. I believe that this practice is so inviting to others because of the whimsical nature of it. We've all seen it done in cartoons and, honestly, how many of us has thought "wow, I wish I could do that" when watching some animated dare-devil?

It calls not only to child in us with its outlandish concept and bright colors, but it also speaks to the thrill seeker in us. What could be more thrilling that flying without the aid of an airplane?
The previous statement leads me to the assumption that these unorthodox balloon flights encourage us to think of what exactly it would be like to be able to fly freely, not boxed in a container with bad in-flight movies while you sip on your disgusting excuse for coffee, squashed between two other equally unhappy people.

As for myself, I am a relatively cautious person. While I am not afraid to try bungee jumping and roller coaster don't scare me, I am hesitant to copy these previous balloon riders for the simple fact that there is no guarantee of safety whatsoever. It is not government approved, it does not meet any safety standards and, in short, it is remarkably dangerous.

If a member of my community attempted to try it only for a benefit, as the Brazilian priest did, then I would donate to his cause. Apart from that, I want nothing to do with it.


Okay, people...your turn.

[tim]

On the one hand, I think that the human spirit likes to strive for something higher. And risk carries a certain thrill. If we accomplish, it gives us a sense of improvement n and worth.

On the other hand, we sometimes don't assess risk well and run right into things aloof of the potential consequences, or mindlessly thinking (in our pride) we can handle whatever arises with ease.... until it's too late and we're in trouble.

Why don't we learn? Maybe we do individually. But, even then, it is hard work and a comedy of errors in continual falling and getting back up to "try again."

[Calavera]

Originally Posted by tim

On the one hand, I think that the human spirit likes to strive for something higher. And risk carries a certain thrill. If we accomplish, it gives us a sense of improvement n and worth.

You make a good case, tim. It seems to me that the average human feels a need to excel and rise to different levels of ability and status. It can be beneficial, as you have said, because it ensures our progress and survival as a species. After all, if we didn't have human ambition, we would be in a sorry state of affairs. Without it, we could easily find ourselves without the advanced medical system that we have, or we could find our modern luxuries (microwave, television, Internet etc.) to be curiously absent.

On the other hand, we sometimes don't assess risk well and run right into things aloof of the potential consequences, or mindlessly thinking (in our pride) we can handle whatever arises with ease.... until it's too late and we're in trouble.

Again, I have no choice but to agree with you. The human ego is a powerful thing and our ambition can lead us into oneupsmanship. We we get to that point, we are so focused on besting someone that we forget how many things could go wrong, or even be fatal. I tend to think that there is a certain line that we have to draw between the fault of the chemicals and firing of the brain, and the responsibility of the man to correct that situation in the brain with simple thinking.
Such is the nature of the common man, I'm afraid.

Why don't we learn? Maybe we do individually. But, even then, it is hard work and a comedy of errors in continual falling and getting back up to "try again."

True, but one would expect that after seeing the dangers and consequences of certain things, people would tend to stay away from those practices.
If a man put his hand in a box and drew back a bloody stump, you wouldn't reach in there as well, would you?

Please, tim, come back and discuss it further. I'm starved for this kind of interaction.

[Happy Chappy & Daisy]

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits."
- Buckminster Fuller