They say it's because of dopamine - either too much or too little (researchers haven't figured out which) - that some people have a propensity to risk their lives.
This morning on the Today Show I literally almost threw up breakfast watching 29 year old Nik Wallenda walk a tightrope 235 feet in length, 135 feet up in the air without a net underneath, then cross back over the same wire on a bicycle. Before he crossed back, he sat down on the wire and made a cell phone call to the Today Show. Then he almost lost his balance near the end of his walk. He almost didn't make it up the slight incline at the end of the bike ride. He set a new Guiness Book of World Record for the longest distance crossed on a tightrope on a bicycle. He wants to walk over the Grand Canyon next year.
He is a member of the famous Flying Wallendas family of which several members have been killed in tightrope accidents since the family first began performing in the 1700's.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Breakfast of Champions
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3 comments:
Did you see "Man on Wire" when it was at the Art several weeks ago? It shows a French guy walking between the towers of the World Trade Center. http://www.manonwire.com/
This doesn't look that high. I suppose the MSNBC (glad to see you're watching the "liberal" channel) can claim this is a record because he wrote a bicycle.
Whether it was the "man on wire" in the 60s or the current Wallenda setting his bike stunt, my take about these gamblers' brains is something ain't right!
I saw the same program and had to turn the channel. Couldn't stand to watch an accidental waiting to happen!
I ran across your blog this morning and liked what I saw. Please visit mine when you get a chance.
Best wishes!
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