re: Into the Wild

Kid was selfish IMO for one reason and that is because he did not let anyone who cared for him at least know he was alright and living on his own in the wilderness. He could've told them that in a letter and they would have no way to look for him. Other than that his life is his life and whatever he chooses to do is his business. Would've been a much cooler story had he survived for at least a few years by himself out there, but he was an idiot and underestimated the preparedness necessary to withstand nature and the elements.

If idealistic hippies want to go find themselves in some remote corner of the world and possibly die out of stupidity, then they should buy a square of land and go do their thing. Just remember don't do it on public or (someone elses)land leaving your shite pile and hacky sacks for someone else to clean up. Also if you need to kill a moose for meat then do like the rest of law abiding society and buy a liscense and hunt in season. McCandles was nothing more than a moron whose life has been dramatized and romantacized beyond belief.

Wiki if you are into outdoor survival I recomend a book called "Adrift" if you havent already read it. It's about a guy named Steven Callahan whose boat sank off the coast of France and he lived in his liferaft for over 70 days until he was picked up in the Caribean. It's a quick read.