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People sort into groups that have similar interests. This article is an example of it. Hey guys, who wants to go spend a year living in the middle of nowhere, i

People sort into groups that have similar interests. This article is an example of it. Hey guys, who wants to go spend a year living in the middle of nowhere, in an ice cold region, dark enough to drive people insane, for mediocre pay? For some people that sounds like an awesome adventure. For others its incomprehensible why anybody would even consider it. And these sort of interests, for both genetic and cultural reasons, are not going to be evenly distributed. It doesn't mean that e.g. hiphop or basketball is excluding non-blacks anymore than death metal and swimming is excluding non-whites.

JambalayaJim 3y ago
There is a very obvious reason why “going on an adventure for mediocre pay” would be both more feasible and appealing, to members of a financially advantaged group. It’s absolutely incredible that you’re ascribing this as a cultural phenomenon!
- RugnirViking 3y ago
  You're saying this as though the reason most people there are able to go is by living on savings. I don't think that's true - anyway with bread and board covered it's more likely to push away those with dependants than economic class. As someone who'd really like to work for my country's arctic/Antarctic program, I think the biggest barrier is getting qualified to work there, which is stuff like mountain leader courses etc. Mountaineering is not exactly a cheap hobby, but it's also fair that they only want to hire people with ice survival experience. As for the sexism angle - yeah I can 1000% percent see being suck in a base for 6 months with nowhere else to go can be an extremely daunting prospect
  - JambalayaJim 3y ago
    It’s not just about being able to live on savings. When you come from a poorer community you can’t really afford to take on an expensive education and mediocre pay, because the outcome of that expensive education generally requires you also support your parents/family that helped you get there. But moreover yeah, richer families can do more outdoorish activities like mountaineering and that feeds back into the loop of even being interested in something like this.
    - somenameforme 3y ago
      Many, and in America I'd dare say most, people just don't really like doing outdoor things. It's some of the cheapest entertainment you can have, as many parks and locations are completely free. You don't need to full on belaying to have a great time. All you really need is a tank of gas, a bus ticket, or a bike. There are just dramatic cultural differences that drive people in different directions. Programs like ROTC/JROTC also offer countless outdoor opportunities alongside other possibilities for personal enrichment. I'm vehemently antiwar/hegemony, but I think training offered by ROTC/JROTC is extremely valuable for anybody and everybody. It's also completely free.

JambalayaJim 3y ago

There is a very obvious reason why “going on an adventure for mediocre pay” would be both more feasible and appealing, to members of a financially advantaged group. It’s absolutely incredible that you’re ascribing this as a cultural phenomenon!

RugnirViking 3y ago
You're saying this as though the reason most people there are able to go is by living on savings. I don't think that's true - anyway with bread and board covered it's more likely to push away those with dependants than economic class. As someone who'd really like to work for my country's arctic/Antarctic program, I think the biggest barrier is getting qualified to work there, which is stuff like mountain leader courses etc. Mountaineering is not exactly a cheap hobby, but it's also fair that they only want to hire people with ice survival experience. As for the sexism angle - yeah I can 1000% percent see being suck in a base for 6 months with nowhere else to go can be an extremely daunting prospect
- JambalayaJim 3y ago
  It’s not just about being able to live on savings. When you come from a poorer community you can’t really afford to take on an expensive education and mediocre pay, because the outcome of that expensive education generally requires you also support your parents/family that helped you get there. But moreover yeah, richer families can do more outdoorish activities like mountaineering and that feeds back into the loop of even being interested in something like this.
  - somenameforme 3y ago
    Many, and in America I'd dare say most, people just don't really like doing outdoor things. It's some of the cheapest entertainment you can have, as many parks and locations are completely free. You don't need to full on belaying to have a great time. All you really need is a tank of gas, a bus ticket, or a bike. There are just dramatic cultural differences that drive people in different directions. Programs like ROTC/JROTC also offer countless outdoor opportunities alongside other possibilities for personal enrichment. I'm vehemently antiwar/hegemony, but I think training offered by ROTC/JROTC is extremely valuable for anybody and everybody. It's also completely free.