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I once got so claustrophobic just by reading a book about caving that I had to put it away: Blind Descent by James Talbot. It describes the quest of a couple of

I once got so claustrophobic just by reading a book about caving that I had to put it away: Blind Descent by James Talbot. It describes the quest of a couple of maniacs to explore the deepest caves on earth under hellish circumstances. No light for weeks, no communication with the surface, camping against vertical walls in the dark, hurricane level winds, tight sumps full of dark water, disease, panic attacks... Man, who in his sane mind does things like that?

balabaster 8y ago
Reading this feels as claustrophobic. This description gave me anxiety... and it's third hand information. Maybe I need therapy.
Loughla 8y ago
Honestly it's this kind of thing that really makes me marvel at the human brain. Most people see 'the grass is greener' as meaning that you will always want what you don't have. I see it as meaning that you can honestly get used to anything, given enough time. It's inspiring really, when I'm at my worst and darkest times, to think - hey, if someone can deal with being tortured for years and get through it, I can make it through this.
- gerbilly 8y ago
  > if someone can deal with being tortured for years and get through it, I can make it through this. I understand what you're saying, but being tortured for years leaves physiological and psychological scars that never go away. William Sampson, A Canadian who was tortured for 31 months in Saudi Arabia, died at 52 after suffering four heart attacks in six months.[1] Three of these were after the torture ended. [1] https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/04/01/william_sampson_dies_nine_years_after_release_from_saudi_prison.html https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/04/01/william_samp...
ash 8y ago
The parent comment has a typo in book author name. The book is actually "Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Cave on Earth" by James M. Tabor. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812979494 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812979494 (Curiously, Google search for "James Talbot Blind Descent" points to this very Hacker News thread.)
BurningFrog 8y ago
> who in his sane mind does things like that? The usual estimation is that 5% of the population is insane, and I guess they do fill a purpose :)
oftenwrong 8y ago
I remember reading that book! There were lots of deaths in those expeditions. As the author said, "supercave" exploration is like extreme mountaineering, but even more dangerous and complicated.

balabaster 8y ago

Reading this feels as claustrophobic. This description gave me anxiety... and it's third hand information. Maybe I need therapy.

Loughla 8y ago

Honestly it's this kind of thing that really makes me marvel at the human brain. Most people see 'the grass is greener' as meaning that you will always want what you don't have. I see it as meaning that you can honestly get used to anything, given enough time. It's inspiring really, when I'm at my worst and darkest times, to think - hey, if someone can deal with being tortured for years and get through it, I can make it through this.

gerbilly 8y ago
> if someone can deal with being tortured for years and get through it, I can make it through this. I understand what you're saying, but being tortured for years leaves physiological and psychological scars that never go away. William Sampson, A Canadian who was tortured for 31 months in Saudi Arabia, died at 52 after suffering four heart attacks in six months.[1] Three of these were after the torture ended. [1] https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/04/01/william_sampson_dies_nine_years_after_release_from_saudi_prison.html https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/04/01/william_samp...

ash 8y ago

The parent comment has a typo in book author name. The book is actually "Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Cave on Earth" by James M. Tabor. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812979494 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812979494 (Curiously, Google search for "James Talbot Blind Descent" points to this very Hacker News thread.)

BurningFrog 8y ago

> who in his sane mind does things like that? The usual estimation is that 5% of the population is insane, and I guess they do fill a purpose :)

oftenwrong 8y ago

I remember reading that book! There were lots of deaths in those expeditions. As the author said, "supercave" exploration is like extreme mountaineering, but even more dangerous and complicated.