I was hiking with a friend near some gigantic, beautiful waterfalls last week, and we watched this play out first hand. A group of young dudes (teens and early 20s) were throwing a ball high up onto the waterfall until it got lodged in the crags. Then, one of the guys would climb up the waterfall, barefoot and shirtless, with no safeguards, harness, or any thought to safety at all, and retrieve the ball. The guys would cheer. And then the game started all over again.
I watched all of this with rising anxiety. Having survived my reckless teens and 20s, I finally have some respect for safety. The rocks were slippery, and a fall would break a neck. I turned to my friend and said, “we are watching the effects of testosterone in action.”
Thanks for sharing this story. It brings me back to memories of being that age doing similar (not quite but close enough) unnecessary risky situations and calling it challenge and adventure. I agree that while it feels resonate, as we mature we learn that those risks aren’t worth it and we can find what we seek in those risks in safety. Yes, that “drive” seems to be turned on whether or not we ask for it. Also a cool moment of you hiking with a friend and witnessing other men expressing their masculinity in a different yet familiar manner.
I love martial arts for this reason.
There is something beautiful and loving when men can play and this is part of how we play
Agreed!
I was hiking with a friend near some gigantic, beautiful waterfalls last week, and we watched this play out first hand. A group of young dudes (teens and early 20s) were throwing a ball high up onto the waterfall until it got lodged in the crags. Then, one of the guys would climb up the waterfall, barefoot and shirtless, with no safeguards, harness, or any thought to safety at all, and retrieve the ball. The guys would cheer. And then the game started all over again.
I watched all of this with rising anxiety. Having survived my reckless teens and 20s, I finally have some respect for safety. The rocks were slippery, and a fall would break a neck. I turned to my friend and said, “we are watching the effects of testosterone in action.”
Thanks for sharing this story. It brings me back to memories of being that age doing similar (not quite but close enough) unnecessary risky situations and calling it challenge and adventure. I agree that while it feels resonate, as we mature we learn that those risks aren’t worth it and we can find what we seek in those risks in safety. Yes, that “drive” seems to be turned on whether or not we ask for it. Also a cool moment of you hiking with a friend and witnessing other men expressing their masculinity in a different yet familiar manner.