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baalzimon
Sep 2, 2003, 8:06 PM
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My girlfriend has to write an analytical essay for school. She wants to write it on climbing, but needs a debatable issue that she can explore.
She had though of "Is Bouldering The Purest Form of Climbing?" but it seems pretty easy to show that yes, it is. There's just not much of an issue there.
So, what are the great climbing debates, where you can't easily see which side is "right", and which would make an interesting 3 page essay?
Is there some other question you could could ask about Bouldering vs other types of climbing, other than "Which is scarier?", or "Which is harder?", etc..
josh
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thomasribiere
Sep 2, 2003, 8:18 PM
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I just don't see why Bouldering would be the purest form of climbing. If you talk about movements, it can be. But what if you talk about mental involvement? What do you mean by purity? Isn't it the state of mind when you don't think of anything but climbing? So does this state of mind happen while bouldering, though between each try you hit the ground and have your mind escape the rock to join the environning world again? Or does it happen while soloing, when both your mind and body make one with the rock? Or while ascending big walls, when you are stuck on the face for many nights and days?
No I don't bouldering is the purest form of climbing. ANd I think it could be a nice subject of discussion. The notion of purity and the diversity of thr climbing activity just have to be developped more than I did.
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hellclimber
Sep 2, 2003, 8:22 PM
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This seems like a rather contrived attempt to start the bouldering vs. other forms of climbing debate again which has been done to death... If it isn't, please specify that so people can start answering your question instead of beginning the lame debate on what form of climbing is more worthy of respect and attention. If this is just an attempt to have another heated debate on the issue, then count me out.
hellclimber
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ninjaslut
Sep 2, 2003, 8:23 PM
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In reply to: My girlfriend has to write an analytical essay for school. She wants to write it on climbing, but needs a debatable issue that she can explore. She had though of "Is Bouldering The Purest Form of Climbing?" but it seems pretty easy to show that yes, it is. There's just not much of an issue there.
How can this not be a troll? Is the statement above not roughly equivalent to posting "Please fight about something regarding climbing... perhaps even the purity of bouldering!"
Xanx, did you get a new handle, or something?
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cerikpete
Sep 2, 2003, 8:25 PM
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T2
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alpiner
Sep 2, 2003, 8:25 PM
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Try this: "Are boulderers climbers?" The obvious answer is no. So then she gets to discuss who is/is not a climber.
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graysondamondamian
Sep 2, 2003, 8:29 PM
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aid, alpine, sport, indoor, trad, bouldering, big wall, tree, buildering, soloing, and any other i left out...its all the same and equal...some people just prefer one over the other...its all choice and state of mind
at ease
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the_crawler
Sep 2, 2003, 8:30 PM
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I'm going to ignore the post/question/troll whatever it is because I like the title of the thread and I'm interested in what others think. to me the most interesting topic for debate around climbing is "What is the overall limiting factor in your climbing?" I'm refering to mainly aspects relating to movement over stone, NOT my job, my girlfriend,etc. But whatever you think I'll hear.
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baalzimon
Sep 2, 2003, 8:30 PM
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I REALLY DO need debate TOPICS, NOT a DEBATE. What I wrote were examples. The essay does not need to be about "Bouldering vs other types" It could be about anything climbing related. I need you ideas or suggestions for essay topics. please.
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squish
Sep 2, 2003, 8:32 PM
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Bouldering? Flamebait. There is already a stupid thread here about the "purity" and whatnot of hanging and pulling off the ground. Don't bother.
What about writing on "justifiable means?" Pick up something by Mark Twight or Walter Bonatti:
Removing uncertainty and doubt removes the whole reason for climbing. Bonatti referred to the bolting and sieging of hard mountains as the "murder of the impossible." Others would argue that any means to the summit is justifiable and deserving of glory.
Another idea might be free soloing: Is it a stupid reckless endeavour or an enlightened way to transcend climbing through the unity of mind and body?
Or something like that...
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treehugger
Sep 2, 2003, 8:39 PM
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How about clean aid vs. bolts and pitons?
I know it's more a matter of situation and preference than anything, but it's just a thought.
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hellclimber
Sep 2, 2003, 8:41 PM
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Could the debate be about the technical side of climbing? If so you probably have countless scenarios like "is grigri an acceptable belay device during trad climbing", "should you anchor in while belaying from the ground" etc...
On the social side you could discuss things like "should climbing be legal even though it is an inherently dangerous sport", "is free soloing strictly for suicidals or a form of expression for quite sane risk takers", "who is legally responsible if a bolt on a sport climb breaks" and so on...
The possibilities seem endless.
hellclimber
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solid
Sep 2, 2003, 8:41 PM
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The legitimacy of ascents in regards to the increasing abundance of climbing related technology.
Limiting factors would be good.
Is climbing more mental or physical
whatever.
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calamity_chk
Sep 2, 2003, 8:43 PM
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ethics/bolting wars are always fun ..
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scclimber
Sep 2, 2003, 8:45 PM
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what about bolting routes that accept trad gear.
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curt
Sep 2, 2003, 8:46 PM
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Who summited Everest first?
Hillary and Norgay?
or
Mallory and Irvine?
Plenty of educated guesses there--but no definitive proof either way.
Curt
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baalzimon
Sep 2, 2003, 8:58 PM
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Keep 'em coming! this is great.
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philbox
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Sep 2, 2003, 9:54 PM
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How about, why do people keep a crag secret until it is developed.
Or, Active pro vs passive, you too can be olde schoole.
Or, one rope or two.
Or, You too can fit into Anasazis, Chinese foot binding traditions renewed.
Or, Pete vs Adam, place your bets ladies and gentlemen.
Or, Does burning white spirit really hurt lichen.
Or, Trundling for fun and profit.
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davidji
Sep 2, 2003, 10:30 PM
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Single vs. doubles (vs twins).
Rappel backup below rap device vs above rap device (vs no backup).
David
Light a man a fire and he's warm for a day.
Light a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
-- Terry Pratchett
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baalzimon
Sep 2, 2003, 10:54 PM
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i think that less technical topics would work better in her english class. too many definitions and explainations would be required if she talked about specific pro and belay devices, etc.
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drkodos
Sep 2, 2003, 10:56 PM
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In reply to: Who summited Everest first? Hillary and Norgay? or Mallory and Irvine? Plenty of educated guesses there--but no definitive proof either way. Curt
My money is on Tenzig.....
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maculated
Sep 2, 2003, 10:57 PM
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Rappel / pull rope
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muncher
Sep 3, 2003, 12:22 AM
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How about a topic on climbing fashion. For example, why did fluorescent lycra tights become fashionable in the climbing world. This would allow you to delve deep into the twisted minds of climbers, perhaps too deep, to try and find out what makes them tick or at least what used to make them tick back in the eighties.
As I write this I just noticed that the climber on my calendar is in fact wearing bright blue tights. Maybe we haven't progressed as much as I thought, although it does appear he came to his senses as in the smaller pictures he is wearing shorts.
This will be a long month looking at that everyday.
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drkodos
Sep 3, 2003, 12:24 AM
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In reply to: How about a topic on climbing fashion. For example, why did fluorescent lycra tights become fashionable in the climbing world. This would allow you to delve deep into the twisted minds of climbers, perhaps too deep, to try and find out what makes them tick or at least what used to make them tick back in the eighties. As I write this I just noticed that the climber on my calendar is in fact wearing bright blue tights. Maybe we haven't progressed as much as I thought, although it does appear he came to his senses as in the smaller pictures he is wearing shorts. This will be a long month looking at that everyday.
back in the golden days, climbing was counter-cultrural....
hard for those doing it less than ten years to imagine/realize how mainstream it is now. Sport climbing has become the sport of the Bourgeoisie....
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renobdarb
Sep 3, 2003, 12:36 AM
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Redpoint vs. pinkpoint. that one sends people through the roof.
-brad
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