nova cave exploration 2-9-10

[sskasser]

Yes, Mike didn't over play the danger so families wouldn't get scared. However any cavediver watching it would be scared out of their wits!

I wasn't scared so much as thinking...."Mike IS NUTS! Who in their right mind would ..."

Plus, I love the humor that's injected throughout. Even though it's a serious topic, and a serious accomplishment, the video is fun.

And he is NUTS! Brilliant, but completely off his rocker.

[mag3]

It doesn't matter if it's cave diving or sky diving or lion taming, perceived danger from the point of view of those that don't know or understand will always be ripe for the plunder by the media.

Precisely. I guess my point is that the media are plundering us (the divers) by controlling the message, and spinning it in the direction that brings them more ratings, regardless of what it may cost us divers. And usually, it's media that *aren't* divers themselves that tend to over emphasize the danger, IME. Hence, my call for the "Cave diving channel" (ie. productions where we control the spin). We won't convince everyone, certainly not the hard core skeptics, but at least we're doing all we can to put our message out, along with, if not in place of theirs.

Again, FTR, this is nothing against Brian, Wes, or Jill etc. They did a fantastic job. And the stuff I've seen Wes/Jill do where they were also the "writers / producers" is spot on... an excellent example being the "Waters Journey" DVD series (I own the "Hidden Rivers of Florida" DVD). Just the right amount of emphasis on everything... And more importantly, the right "spin." May they produce many more.... and get mainstream TV airtime!

A family member once told me, "I don't know anything about this cave diving stuff and it looks really dangerous to me. I trust you though, and know that you'll be smart about it and do it right." In return, I promised to always follow safe diving practices and listen to my gut.

I wish most of my family were as trusting as yours.... Once they've made up their minds, they'll never want to learn enough about it to be able to trust.... And shows like this Nova one with "over emphasis" on the danger won't help point them towards the "trusting" direction.... Although, as you know from our PMs, I am making some in-roads...

[Sludge]

You know, the best thing I do to allay my mother's fears is I take her on day trips to the springs about once a year. She's been to Jackson Blue, Peacock, Little River, and Madison Blue. She's an open water diver herself, and she loves to talk to the other divers and watch us gear up for the dives. She doesn't even mind it when I scooter solo.

[mag3]

You know, the best thing I do to allay my mother's fears is I take her on day trips to the springs about once a year. She's been to Jackson Blue, Peacock, Little River, and Madison Blue. She's an open water diver herself, and she loves to talk to the other divers and watch us gear up for the dives. She doesn't even mind it when I scooter solo.

As it turns out, my mother is one of the few in my family that does understand, having been OW'ed herself some 20 years ago, long before it was ever a "gleam in my eye." She no longer dives due to medical/physical reasons, and she does have her concerns for me in re: caving. But, as with Shirley's family members, she does "trust."

Unfortunately for me, the family members that express the most concern live the furthest away, and would have no interest in "day tripping." Like I say, once they make up their minds......

[deepairmike]

I wasn't scared so much as thinking...."Mike IS NUTS! Who in their right mind would ..."

Plus, I love the humor that's injected throughout. Even though it's a serious topic, and a serious accomplishment, the video is fun.

And he is NUTS! Brilliant, but completely off his rocker.

Let's see buried by a rock slid with 10 min. Of air who wouldn't stop to pick out pretty rocks. What's nuts is I went back the next week and got buried again!!

[Squirrel Girl]

I wasn't scared so much as thinking...."Mike IS NUTS! Who in their right mind would ..."

Plus, I love the humor that's injected throughout. Even though it's a serious topic, and a serious accomplishment, the video is fun.

And he is NUTS! Brilliant, but completely off his rocker.

After I first met Mike at the workshop last year, he wrote saying, "You're crazy like we are." I said, "I'll take that as a compliment." THEN I watched the Blue Springs video. Oh no I'm *not*!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sludge]

Oh no I'm *not*!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've read your book. Oh yes you *are*!!!!!!!!!!!

[sskasser]

i've read your book. Oh yes you *are*!!!!!!!!!!!

TRUE DAT!!!!

BTW...What the hell is wrong with all caps now and then, and why won't this dang editor LET ME type just "TRUE DAT" and leave it in all caps? It lets me if I add THIS sentence, but when I only had "TRUE DAT!!!" without the extra verbiage, it changes it to "true dat!!!!!" which is not nearly so emphatic. Sigh. It's like a Monday.

[deepairmike]

TRUE DAT!!!!

BTW...What the hell is wrong with all caps now and then, and why won't this dang editor LET ME type just "TRUE DAT" and leave it in all caps? It lets me if I add THIS sentence, but when I only had "TRUE DAT!!!" without the extra verbiage, it changes it to "true dat!!!!!" which is not nearly so emphatic. Sigh. It's like a Monday.

What meds are you taking, will you share?

[FW]

What meds are you taking, will you share?