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Quote of the Day: Nerve And Risk
On nerve:
“People often say I am brave, but I’ve never said I am brave. What I think I have is nerve, which is not the same thing. Being brave or being courageous is doing something you are afraid to do and I don’t do anything that I’m afraid to do. Nerve is different.When you prepare to do something, whether it’s sailing a boat across the ocean or climbing a mountain or doing anything that has an element of danger, you prepare yourself and your equipment as well as you possibly can given your resources. Having nerve is the willingness after you’ve done all your preparation to embark upon something whose outcome is uncertain and may be fatal.” — Webb Chiles, in an interview following his sixth solo circumnavigation of the globe, at age 77.
Another (different interview, couldn’t find it online) on risk:
Published in GeneralOf adventure, I have said that amateurs seek adventures, professionals seek to avoid them. I have lived this long and sailed so far only because I plan, prepare to the extent of my resources, never do anything at the last minute, and though I have taken risks, I have never taken an uncalculated risk.
Strong words, words to live by. That’s my approach in the operating room.
Eight days ago, “Mad” Mike Hughes was killed when his steam-powered rocket crashed into the Mohave Desert. Video of the launch shows what turned out to be the vehicle’s parachute fluttering down to the ground while it was still ascending.
Important note: if your nickname consists of or contains the word “Mad,” double-check your margins of safety.
Or just double them. (At least.)
I think the second quote somewhat misses the point. He’s doing something that he’s not being paid for, that is not necessary, that will not advance knowledge. I believe he is doing it for the challenge of doing it, which most people would call adventure.
I get his point about risk. There’s a reason I insist on supporting fireworks with firebricks and having a bucket / hose handy. One tip-over was enough.
Boss, I’ve always had a lot of nerve (he said modestly), but I’ve never had a lot of bravery. Bravery is reserved for heroes, a rare lot.
What a coincidence! That’s my approach—as a patient- in the operating room as well🙂
So if you’re still going up when the parachute is going down, this is a bad thing.🤔
(asking for a friend)
I can comprehend one solo circumnavigation of the world, but 6? What did he do wrong on the previous 5? Did he “cheat” and go through the Panama and/or Suez Canals? Did he miss travelling in the Arctic or Antarctic oceans?
This also applies to the first quote.
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Brian Willams to CNN for a fabricator to be named later? Hmm … how’s Brian’s stick?
Bravery is not calculated. Bravery is an act of courage and has a purpose higher than self; it requires action in the face of danger. The risks always favor inaction. Bravery might even require self-sacrifice.
Is facing the risks associated with circumnavigating the earth in a sailboat an act of bravery? No. It is thrill seeking and lacks a higher purpose. Nerve and arrogance are related qualities; in this case the arrogance consists of assuming preparedness; nerve is the assumption that if perparedness fails, nerve will pull you through.
Perhaps the first person to do something like that, might be considered brave. And arguably there is a higher purpose too, in the sense of making something possible and then perhaps even routine. But once it becomes basically just a hobby, then no.
“Circumnavigating the world once is a misfortune; to circumnavigate it six time looks like carelessness.” – Lady Bracknell