Summit Journal Chat

2 cars in the driveway today:

Oh yes - I do remember that helicopter now

I've been reading this article: http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?news=15288 Who is the author? I love their articles - all heart!

Sad ending for Kelly James of Dallas who died on Mount Hood. Wonder where the other two are? Blown off the mountain?

I've seen some gorgeous photos of Mount Hood, but it seems like a haunted mountain to me - freaky weird stuff happens on its slopes. Remember that awful footage of the helicopter crashing and sliding down the mountain, seemed like it happened in slo-mo.

GBS - I don't know the answer, but my sense is that we've become over specialized, to the point that there isn't sufficient overlap to cover all the potentialities of any given situation. When people were more of the generalist sort, each individual, by nature, carried more of a comprehensive overview in their head. One hand knew what the other was doing, or should be doing, which provides for double and spot checking of procedures. Ironically, people may be over competent, but in too narrowly defined ways. Still, people carry the title of "expert" in their area and that can lead to a dangerous arrogance that leaves us ill prepared for real life situations. In terms of evolution, think of the creatures that date back the furthest - they tend to be generalists.

I know what you mean. Years ago some of my friends and I noticed that the print and media news was turning away from good news to bad news. We did not have any ideas for a re-focus. BTW - the lost people might result in much better tracking technology for everyone - which would at least be a good outcome. See the Sunday Oregonian - description of the search problems regarding the Kim family. My question is does this illustrate a general problem of incompetence across the country in many disciplines? Sometimes it seems as if no one is qualified for their position from grocery clerk to president.