Anyone visit that bus from the movie "Into The Wild" (famous, worth)

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by FlourChild

Haven't seen the movie, but read the book. I think I understand and appreciate what y'all are saying (even as someone in the WAAAAAY lower 48). I don't, however, understand why anyone else would want to visit that bus, unless it's to pay their respects. I have a fairly low opinion of McCandless and his actions, not only for the fecklessness factor but because he inflicted such tremendous pain on his family and was such a self-righteous turd about it. I read the epilogue to Krakauer's book (in which McCandless's parents visited the scene of his death) and it broke my heart. Whether someone in AK is rational, well-equipped and prepared, or reckless, goofy and romantic, we all have someone who cares about us, and who doesn't deserve to find out about our deaths second- or third-hand, months after the fact. For that alone, I think McCandless was an insensitive, self-obsessed git. He died because a certain percentage of people who do stupid things in stupid ways for stupid reasons get killed; in other words, he was a fugitive from the law of probability.

FlourChild, I read the book as well and I got the feeling he was "tweaked", something not working right upstairs. Did you get anything like that? When I heard someone mention the theory of Chris maybe having "late-onset schizophrenia" I thought it was possible. What did you think?

[warptman]

He was just a nut, end of story.

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by laysayfair

FlourChild, I read the book as well and I got the feeling he was "tweaked", something not working right upstairs. Did you get anything like that? When I heard someone mention the theory of Chris maybe having "late-onset schizophrenia" I thought it was possible. What did you think?

I think there was a convergence of goofiness (if not actual pathology) with a place known for its low tolerance for that type of goofiness. Alaska is so well-known as a beautiful, unspoiled "last frontier" that it attracts more than its share of would-be ascetics and seekers, some of whom are intelligent/functional enough to survive, and some of whom (Treadwell, McCandless) are patently NOT.

I can't offer any assessment of whether or not either of the two were truly pathological, but their behavior (as documented) sure indicated to the layperson that...well, that the factory was still there, but it was makin' something different. McCandless was functional enough to do well in school, to work a job, and to travel, but bless his heart, that Grape-Nuts attitude he had didn't jibe well with how the real world works. Muppets can live like that, but not real people.

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by FlourChild

I think there was a convergence of goofiness (if not actual pathology) with a place known for its low tolerance for that type of goofiness. Alaska is so well-known as a beautiful, unspoiled "last frontier" that it attracts more than its share of would-be ascetics and seekers, some of whom are intelligent/functional enough to survive, and some of whom (Treadwell, McCandless) are patently NOT.

I can't offer any assessment of whether or not either of the two were truly pathological, but their behavior (as documented) sure indicated to the layperson that...well, that the factory was still there, but it was makin' something different. McCandless was functional enough to do well in school, to work a job, and to travel, but bless his heart, that Grape-Nuts attitude he had didn't jibe well with how the real world works. Muppets can live like that, but not real people.

(LOL) You're funny...that grape nuts attitude...! I thought it was telling when his dad offered to get him a new car and Chris instead of being grateful was offended because the car was like his friend and they had been thru so much together and how could his dad be so insensitive as offer him a new car (I'm not quoting, but this was the gist of it). Then when he drove the car down some sandbank in some godforsaken desert where cars weren't suppose to go, he abandoned the car and left a note on it that said anyone who wanted this peice of s**t car could take it. Odd.

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by laysayfair

(LOL) You're funny...that grape nuts attitude...! I thought it was telling when his dad offered to get him a new car and Chris instead of being grateful was offended because the car was like his friend and they had been thru so much together and how could his dad be so insensitive as offer him a new car (I'm not quoting, but this was the gist of it). Then when he drove the car down some sandbank in some godforsaken desert where cars weren't suppose to go, he abandoned the car and left a note on it that said anyone who wanted this peice of s**t car could take it. Odd.

Yeah, that kind of thing just bugs. I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, but riding that moral high-horse all the time must have chafed poor old Chris. I hope he had ointment for the saddle sores.

[daytripper]

You guys should check out the "entertainment" threads about this movie.
It's amazing how people glorified this confused kid.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by daytripper

You guys should check out the "entertainment" threads about this movie.
It's amazing how people glorified this confused kid.

It's probably the same people who follow such brainless tripe as "The Bachelor" or "American Idol."

[Alaskagrl]

What I read of this thread is good. I know people have probably commented on this book/movie/kid ad nauseum but it is a compelling story, regardless of where you stand on it. McCandless did have some understandable ideals/dreams but, as has been said here, I think he wasn't "all there," especially as he got farther along his journey. I think he really may have been getting into the crazy zone. Or perhaps just dumb..but that doesn't fit with his overall profile.

Treadwell I have absolutely no sympathy for, crazy or not, and everytime I see a bleeding-heart special about him I am infuriated...but I do feel some pity for McCandless...kind of like a "you poor b#$stard" emotion.

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by Alaskagrl

Treadwell I have absolutely no sympathy for, crazy or not, and everytime I see a bleeding-heart special about him I am infuriated...but I do feel some pity for McCandless...kind of like a "you poor b#$stard" emotion.

Yeah, Treadwell was wearing the cuckoo pants, that's for sure. Unlike McCandless, he managed to take someone else with him. What a hero.

I just feel bad for their families; you know both these extra-crunchy pixiebutts had people who loved them, so naturally they headed off to the wild to cut their families' hearts out.

[Alaskagrl]

Flourchild---ROFL--"extra crunchy pixiebutts"--now THAT one is going in my personal repartoire, fo' sho'!