Stop and Consider

As I read through the forums, its apparent that nerves are frayed. There is considerable squabbling going on in various threads about whether or not to climb during this time, whether or not to travel, the science, the planet, etc. A fair bit of it is rancorous.

My friend that lives in a war torn country wrote this today, and I think it is worth stopping and considering whether climbing is as important a thing to strive over as this:

"Social distancing has been a COVID-19 intervention for the rich and middle class, but it may be practically impossible for the 1 billion (1 out of every 8 people) who live in the overcrowded slums of the world. Life in the slums is hand-to-mouth and there is a lack of running water, basic sanitation, and health services. When making policy decisions in a crisis, the poor should be involved in the process but seldom are. Already there are reports in some slums of an increase in violence. There is a very real possibility of starvation with the collapse of economies. Starvation could have a greater impact than COVID-19, in that flattening the curve of the virus may end up heightening the curve of starvation for poor people who depend on day wages, but have no work."

Could we consider for a moment how we might use our comparatively large resources to help in this situation? Consider finding a relief organization or outreach that you trust and seeing what you can do to help. Give them a call. There are people on the ground in many countries whose ability to act is often limited by the availability of funds. I know one such group that is addressing the food needs of jobless itinerant workers who are penniless and just trying to get back home to their villages. They have never needed food on such a scale in the past, but are providing what they can. Money can help, and in the west many of us have a lot of it in world terms.

If you don’t need your gov. Stimulus check, many of us don’t who are still employed, donate it.

Gumby the White wrote: If you don’t need your gov. Stimulus check, many of us don’t who are still employed, donate it.

Dm me I'll take that pesky free money off your hands. This goes for anyone wanting to donate their stimulus money. Papa needs a new bike and a split board setup 

People say "This virus doesn't discriminate." And while that could be true for infections, that's certainly not true for the fallout. Lines of privilege are drawn sharply right now: households that can afford to lose income, households that can afford to lose health insurance, households that have jobs where working from home is even a possibility... Now more than ever some of us are recognizing our privilege. Unfortunately, in a crisis, many of us look inward and not outward: looking out for our immediate communities. In some ways, charity is a luxury. Consider what the rest of the world is going through right now before you waste time and energy getting heated in a forum thread

This post violated Guideline #1 and has been removed.

I think acknowledging social distancing as a privilege can help us both to consider large-scale global actions like Keith is proposing and to consider the responsibilities this privilege gives us within our local communities.

Within our communities, practicing social distancing if you have the privilege to do so helps protect the health of those who do not have this privilege. If you are able to socially distance but choose not to, you are increasing the risk to the grocery workers (many of them lower-income and, in many places, non-white) and other essential workers who don't have this choice. Worth bearing in mind.

PNW Choss wrote:

Dm me I'll take that pesky free money off your hands. This goes for anyone wanting to donate their stimulus money. Papa needs a new bike and a split board setup 

Dude. This is off the charts. I'm not worried that anyone is going to do this, but it's just about the dumbest comment ever. You obviously need money more than the folks who can't afford food.

Stimulus Check is aid. Oh and that foothold, is off for white people.

Jonathan Awerbuch wrote:

Dude. This is off the charts. I'm not worried that anyone is going to do this, but it's just about the dumbest comment ever. You obviously need money more than the folks who can't afford food.

You don’t think there was a little sarcasm there?

Jonathan Awerbuch wrote:

Dude. This is off the charts. I'm not worried that anyone is going to do this, but it's just about the dumbest comment ever. You obviously need money more than the folks who can't afford food.

Even if I was serious why would I be the bad guy here?

I didnt create the covid 19 virus.

I didnt cause the current economic crisis.

I never took the food off the tables of those that cant afford it. Nor did I make the decisions that lead to them being in a position where they are homeless or jobless or starving.

Lifes not fair and all men are not created equal or with equal opportunities. That's just the way it's always been and always will be for humans.

Maybe you got all heated because I struck a nerve. Maybe you know deep down your guilty of the same lack of empathy that my comment had. Are you doing all you can to help others and care for those less fortunate?

Your profile pic of you wearing thousands in expensive gear says maybe not. Your tick list of 5.13s says maybe you spend lots of time in selfish hedonistic pursuits.

Before you come all PC police at someone else maybe take a long look inside first. Are you gonna save the world? or is that just my job to do while you go climb.

Jonathan Awerbuch wrote:

Dude. This is off the charts. I'm not worried that anyone is going to do this, but it's just about the dumbest comment ever. You obviously need money more than the folks who can't afford food.

Facepalm.

Are you the guy at the party who kills the joke by explaining how what happens in it isn't plausible?

Way to reinforce the stereotypes of Boulder climbers.

Tamiban Gueterstan wrote: Well Keith, you tried. Looks like we're back to shitposting.

It was bad timing. 

It’s hard to white-shame when a lot of used to be middle class are fucked. 

Tamiban Gueterstan wrote: Well Keith, you tried. Looks like we're back to shitposting.

I tried. Wearily clicking off 'Notify on site'. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised how fast it went off the rails, but I thought I'd get five or six posts before that happened.

PNW Choss wrote:

Even if I was serious why would I be the bad guy here?

I didnt create the covid 19 virus.

I didnt cause the current economic crisis.

I never took the food off the tables of those that cant afford it. Nor did I make the decisions that lead to them being in a position where they are homeless or jobless or starving.

Lifes not fair and all men are not created equal or with equal opportunities. That's just the way it's always been and always will be for humans.

Maybe you got all heated because I struck a nerve. Maybe you know deep down your guilty of the same lack of empathy that my comment had. Are you doing all you can to help others and care for those less fortunate?

Your profile pic of you wearing thousands in expensive gear says maybe not. Your tick list of 5.13s says maybe you spend lots of time in selfish hedonistic pursuits.

Before you come all PC police at someone else maybe take a long look inside first. Are you gonna save the world? or is that just my job to do while you go climb.

Wow. I just didn't think your joke was funny.

Jonathan Awerbuch wrote:

Wow. I just didn't think your joke was funny.

We noticed

Keith Wood wrote: 

". There is a very real possibility of starvation ...... Starvation could have a greater impact than COVID-19,

Exactly, it’s happening, and the U.S.A. is not immune. This is a key factor missing from most people’s shutdown, quarantine, lockdown  calculations 

• The rapidly intensifying economic effects of COVID-19 on the world of work are proving to be far worse than the 2008-9 financial crisis, with cutbacks equivalent to nearly 200 million full-time workers expected in the next three months alone, the UN labour agency said. 

• American Red Cross - Volunteer Role Finder

• Help with COVID-19 by Volunteering Remotely or On-Site | VolunteerMatch

• The [Seattle] ACRS Food Bank is operating on a limited basis and working with other community partners to get food to those experiencing hunger. 

 

Aidan Mickleburgh wrote: People say "This virus doesn't discriminate." And while that could be true for infections, that's certainly not true for the fallout. Lines of privilege are drawn sharply right now: households that can afford to lose income, households that can afford to lose health insurance, households that have jobs where working from home is even a possibility... Now more than ever some of us are recognizing our privilege. Unfortunately, in a crisis, many of us look inward and not outward: looking out for our immediate communities. In some ways, charity is a luxury. Consider what the rest of the world is going through right now before you waste time and energy getting heated in a forum thread

If Gilead's Remdesivir clinical results does indicate it to be a valid treatment for COVID-19, that line will further be drawn between those who can afford the treatment, and those who can't.

Artem Vasilyev wrote:

USA! USA! USA! (especially since we've also tied "affordable" healthcare to employment, and we're headed straight for a recession/depression) 

All jokes aside:

The USA, at it’s best, is a democratic republic, so if you want to do everything you can to remediate the injustice, make sure you’re registered to vote:

https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

Then show up and vote. 

Countless thousands have given their lives for our right to do so. 

If you think running it out on heady 5.8 or free soloing El Cap is badass, maybe also spare a moment to think of Pvt Hall or Master Sergeant Wheeler.

Tell your friends to vote. Remind them that they are shitty Americans if they don’t.

Fucking vote like lives depend on it. That’s how this shit works.

Brent Kelly wrote:

All jokes aside:

Fucking vote like lives depend on it. That’s how this shit works.

The orange man lost the popular vote in 2016. He will loose it in 2020, bet he will still be president. 

That "stimulus package" passed with bipartisan support and it was a fucking drop in the bucket for the average american. so it doesn't matter who you vote for in the end they're not in office to help the average joe/jane.

Our government is fucking broken, incompetent, and has no semblance of a Democracy . It is a Corporatocracy, and serves big businesses before its people. Regardless of what side of the isle you sit on.

That being said. I'll Still vote, but im getting to the point where I wonder what is the point. Joe Biden ain't gonna save us from this shit ahha hes like George Bush.

Eole ol wrote:

The orange man lost the popular vote in 2016. He will loose it in 2020, bet he will still be president. 

That "stimulus package" passed with bipartisan support and it was a fucking drop in the bucket for the average american. so it doesn't matter who you vote for in the end they're not in office to help the average joe/jane.

Our government is fucking broken, incompetent, and has no semblance of a Democracy . It is a Corporatocracy, and serves big businesses before its people. Regardless of what side of the isle you sit on.

That being said. I'll Still vote, but im getting to the point where I wonder what is the point. Joe Biden ain't gonna save us from this shit ahha hes like George Bush.

What the fuck are you trying to accomplish besides complaining?

edit: sorry. I’m riled up. And our elections are not fodder for wagers.