do sociopaths make better soloists?

If someone is unable to feel fear would it not make sence?

not being able to feel fear isn't what defines a sociopath. in fact, sociopathy is normally categorized by a lack of empathy for other people.

sociopaths usually have an instinct of self-preservation above all others which would make me think they would NOT free-solo. on the other hand they also normally have an inflated ego which would make them more likely to think they were the shit, and be able to do it and not fall.

i think the best way to find out is take a sociopath and send up something with no rope

soloing is not about being fearless.

Russell89 wrote:If someone is unable to feel fear would it not make sence?

No it would not make sence. It could make sense, but only if they were properly motivated.

For one current high profile one it seems to make cents.

Look up : profile of a sociopath. It also includes shallow emotions, need for stimulation or living on the edge, egocentricity etc. Sociopaths lack anxiety in general.

T.L. Kushner wrote:not being able to feel fear isn't what defines a sociopath. in fact, sociopathy is normally categorized by a lack of empathy for other people. sociopaths usually have an instinct of self-preservation above all others which would make me think they would NOT free-solo. on the other hand they also normally have an inflated ego which would make them more likely to think they were the shit, and be able to do it and not fall. i think the best way to find out is take a sociopath and send up something with no rope

I know a few people including myself with some of the sociopathic characteristics. Delusions of grandiose, need for stimulation or living on the edge, shallow emotions, disregard for other peoples emotions (their loved ones who are aware of the risks involved) is what got me thinking. I think everyone has those characteristics to some extend. What I noticed on this site is how easily people insult and belittle each other.

Russell89 wrote: I know a few people including myself with some of the sociopathic characteristics. Delusions of grandiose, need for stimulation or living on the edge, shallow emotions, disregard for other peoples emotions (their loved ones who are aware of the risks involved) is what got me thinking. I think everyone has those characteristics to some extend. What I noticed on this site is how easily people insult and belittle each other.

It's the internet, it brings out the best in people ;)

Just a observation as although only 34 i remember a time before the internet had become a part of out daily moment by moment lives. To be honest i remember being a teenager and never even touching a computer.

For me the jury is still out on the internet even considering the amount of time i choose to spend on it. Actually the amount of time i and we all spend on the internet is a big part of the reason i am undecided about the internet in general. It's like tv on crack really just brain rot more than anything. Imop it brings down the level of intelligence in all of a us more than a few notches as we choose to use it for dumb shit rather than good shit.

Answer to the thread is no. As a "true" sociopath is a pretty fucked up person and i would say slim chance they would do something like rock climb. Not saying it is impossible just highly unlikely imop.

I am Alex Honnold's amygdalae; or lack thereof.

I would say no, sociopaths have an abnormal psych disorder. Everyone has some abnormality, climber or not, which wouldn't go to the extent to be a true disorder, if you were just looking at that checklist of items.

Good soloists are not abnormal, they are able to weigh risk versus reward in a normal cognitive manner even though they have accepted a certain level of risk higher than most others would even begin to consider to freely express themselves.

The two more fitting disorders for climbers would be a stress disorder or narcissistic personality. Although I have seen a few more types of disorders in terrain including dementia, drug-related, and severe depression, but not necessarily a relation to being a true technical climber (obviously not a good one, if at all).

Again, I would still argue 'no' to any of these being a better soloist as the better climber will have a much more refined focus on their cognitive process, mitigate their flight/fight response, and keep somewhat a healthy balance in other aspects of their life, thus being normal.

Buff Johnson wrote:I would say no, sociopaths have an abnormal psych disorder. Everyone has some abnormality, climber or not, which wouldn't go to the extent to be a true disorder, if you were just looking at that checklist of items. Good soloists are not abnormal, they are able to weigh risk versus reward in a normal cognitive manner even though they have accepted a certain level of risk higher than most others would even begin to consider to freely express themselves. The two more fitting disorders for climbers would be a stress disorder or narcissistic personality. Although I have seen few more types of disorders in terrain including dementia, drug-related, and severe depression, but not necessarily a relation to being a true technical climber (obviously not a good one, if at all). Again, I would still argue 'no' to any of these being a better soloist as the better climber will have a much more refined focus on their cognitive process, mitigate their flight/fight response, and keep somewhat a healthy balance in other aspects of their life, thus being normal.

Well said. Again that is just my opinion.

People are so lame with all the Honnold hate. Self absorbed humans "sigh".....

APBT1976 wrote: Well said. Again that is just my opinion. People are so lame with all the Honnold hate. Self absorbed humans "sigh".....

Sorry, but if you read "hate" into my post, that says more about you than me.

Free-soloing anywhere near your roped climbing ability may not be about the complete absence of fear, but having the genetic and/or learned and/or chemically-induced ability to keep that fear to a reasonable level is a huge part of it.

I forgot the name of the guy, but one French building soloist was found with Xanax in his belongings when he was arrested.

Christian wrote: Sorry, but if you read "hate" into my post, that says more about you than me.

Really i was not commenting on your comment. Quite a few in this thread have had some kinda snide remark or dig on Alex.

To be honest i looked up amygdalae just now and although i think i get the context of you where saying it was way over my head prior to looking up the meaning.

Pretty sure i read your response for the first time after i responded but who knows? Either way i would never be able to pull that word or use of that word outa my rear end so hats off to you sir..

Don't call me sir Doc :-)

But taking Xanax while soloing...isn't it cheating?! I agree that most soloists actually are very much in touch with their inner self and are very confident calculating courageous people who overcome fear by training and will power. But a lot of climbers sort of "fit the profile " ....just kidding sorry guys :)

Exceptions to all the rules; I certainly have to compensate for my small man-parts when leading. I think it's called pussiopatholopathy.

Buff Johnson wrote:Exceptions to all the rules; I certainly have to compensate for my small man-parts when leading. I think it's called pussiopatholopathy.

Are you sure you're not confusing pussiopatholopathy with itlookdeasyfromdownthereism?

matt davies wrote: Are you sure you're not confusing pussiopatholopathy with itlookdeasyfromdownthereism?

One more problem with the internet - it leads to poor spelling and grammar - you left out an "e", and don't get me started on the run-on sentences, sheesh. :)

Buff Johnson wrote:Exceptions to all the rules; I certainly have to compensate for my small man-parts when leading. I think it's called pussiopatholopathy.

That's brave of you to admitt to that on internet bro I'm with you bro! Haha

What about dope testing at climbing comps? I think my girlfriend is a sociopath cos she climbs better than me , she is very self centered and claims to have no fear. She also lives with her parents!