Into the Wild page 2

[SarahW]

This is an interesting article, although very long. Basically, he died of starvation.
Into the Wild and other Poisonous Plant Fables « Forager's Harvest

Very interesting. Thanks.

It seems, just from reading that article, that he seemed to think he could be more "spiritual" by not eating meat. Which is a pretty stupid idea to have if you are trying to live off the land in Alaska.

[RichMahogany]

He was disillusioned with society, and wanted something better for himself, and believed he would find that internally, in an isolated spot in the wilderness. But he didn't think it through, he was idealistic, and sadly he got his wordly wisdom (that life is nothing unless shared with others) on his death bed. I don't think he was a dumbass. I think he was just young, and a dreamer.

I also think he had a death wish.

I agree with this assessment of the situation. Some people would rather die than live the life modern-day society offers them. I can't wait for Mark's new book, which I understand addresses how to fulfill our primal needs in the best way possible within the framework of modern society. For McCandless and Paul Eppinger , the modern life that we're told is so wonderful isn't even worth living. And I can very much understand how someone could feel that way.

[Reindeer]

I like the idea of doing what he did. I hope to do something like it one day, though I hope I will have better use of my own common sense. Like knowing how to safely cross a river for one.

[YogaBare]

I agree with this assessment of the situation. Some people would rather die than live the life modern-day society offers them. I can't wait for Mark's new book, which I understand addresses how to fulfill our primal needs in the best way possible within the framework of modern society. For McCandless and Paul Eppinger , the modern life that we're told is so wonderful isn't even worth living. And I can very much understand how someone could feel that way.

Word.

"I was part of that strange race of people aptly described as spending their lives doing things they detest to make money they don't want to buy things they don't need to impress people they dislike."
- Gauvreau, Emile Henry

[carlh]

He's an absolute dumbass but I liked his motivation and mindset.

For a FAR better documentary on living in the Alaskan wilderness, check out the similarly named Alone in the Wilderness. It details the real, true wilderness survivalist Richard Proenneke in his quest to live alone and (mostly) on his own. Amazing, inspiring, and entertaining. Without leaving you feeling like you're watching an idiot.

Just a little here:

[sbhikes]

I have a friend who spent a period of time being like Chris McCandless minus the Alaska thing. He ended up becoming a software engineer, married, kids, the whole thing. People should just get out there and live their wanderlust if they have it. It doesn't shut as many doors as people think and probably opens many more doors than you can imagine.

[patrickh]

Dick Proenneke is one of my heroes. I remember watching that video when I was in my early teens.

[Mainer]

Read the book and one word comes to mind.......careless. Hard to feel sorry for him even though it was an interesting read.

Now Dick Preonneke is a man to be admired!

[badgergirl]

Thanks for posting the link, it was long but well worth reading. I have run across the Poisonous Plant Fable myself several times usually with regard to foraging for mushrooms, some one always mentions some story where an experienced mushroom hunter died (usually kills family members too) from eating the wrong mushroom. The message is: Fear nature, it's dangerous!

not always a myth when it comes to mushrooms Nicholas Evans: 'Guilt is my subject. I've taken research to an extreme degree' | Books | The Guardian The deadly dish that poisoned our lives: How The Horse Whisperer's Nicholas Evans almost killed his own family with wild mushrooms | Mail Online

[Urban Forager]

How is it a fable? It's not an unusal thing for a young person to do (minus the dying part) - I travelled quite a bit in India and you see people like that dude all the time going off to live in caves, or the desert...

The *Fable* that canterbolls is referring to is the Poison Plant Fable described in the article Sbhikes linked to.