Great essay. I also marveled at his story (and Krakauer's incredible prose), and couldn't agree more with your point: "There was so much more of life he had yet to cultivate, experience, and contribute to." That last bit - "contribute to" - is especially poignant, because in our hyper individualistic culture, young people don't get the message often enough that we all have a role to play and we are each needed for the flourishing of all. Finding community is another part of it - social isolation isn't all it's cracked up to be. In reality, Thoreau wasn't far from town, his mom cooked for him and did his laundry, and Emerson dropped by for conversation. There's been a lot written about this fiction of the romantic lone hero in the wilderness - a fascinating examination of an arguably damaging American myth.
Justin, you have accumulated more than your share of wisdom. On a lighter note, there is a group in town that gathers weekly during the winter for polar plunges. Maybe they'd let meditate - a polar plop instead of a plunge?
Beautiful article! I too have always felt that McCandless just threw his life away. His reasons never made sense to me and I belong to the group which sees him as an irresponsible man. I totally get the feeling of being a nomad and exploring the world. But the adventure that we think we’ll have, will most definitely become a nightmare. I still sometimes feel like running away and become a monk, but I know the world is too cruel and honestly my body will assert its own imperatives in due time. I will need the comfort that I am accustomed to. It takes nothing to throw away your life. It takes a lot of courage to keep working and building your legacy as you age.
thanks for sharing your story! McCandless' story had a huge impact on you!
Although, being from Alaska, I was trained to have a different take on his story (mainly judgment around his naïveté), I later came to need my own breaking away and initiation. In many ways, it's a natural impulse, especially for young men, and an important rite of passage that our culture has replaced with perpetual adolescence.
It's also important to remember that McCandless was running from something, the intensity of which may have served as that which propelled him across the continent and so severely out of contact with his family. Someone not running from but running toward may go about this ritual in a way more like what you've experienced.
I read this book back in the 90s and walked away with a warning about being naïve. I appreciated your window on this work! Makes me want to revisit this book.
In an amazing coincidence, I read your essay on the same day I visited the Museum of the North on the campus of University of Alaska Fairbanks, and saw a sign explaining that they are relocating the bus to the museum. I don’t think I can post photos in comments or I’d share a photo of the sign with you… it was fascinating. Visit Fairbanks sometime! (But it sounds like it will be a few years before it is ready to be on exhibit)
Oh that is awesome and Fairbanks is definitely on my list whenever I make it to Alaska. I had heard they had removed the bus a few years ago but hadn’t heard what they had planned to do with it. Good to know. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Brian!
Great essay. I also marveled at his story (and Krakauer's incredible prose), and couldn't agree more with your point: "There was so much more of life he had yet to cultivate, experience, and contribute to." That last bit - "contribute to" - is especially poignant, because in our hyper individualistic culture, young people don't get the message often enough that we all have a role to play and we are each needed for the flourishing of all. Finding community is another part of it - social isolation isn't all it's cracked up to be. In reality, Thoreau wasn't far from town, his mom cooked for him and did his laundry, and Emerson dropped by for conversation. There's been a lot written about this fiction of the romantic lone hero in the wilderness - a fascinating examination of an arguably damaging American myth.
Thank you Julie and very well said yourself! 😊
So nicely articulated. Totally agree with you.
Thank you!
Justin, you have accumulated more than your share of wisdom. On a lighter note, there is a group in town that gathers weekly during the winter for polar plunges. Maybe they'd let meditate - a polar plop instead of a plunge?
Beautiful article! I too have always felt that McCandless just threw his life away. His reasons never made sense to me and I belong to the group which sees him as an irresponsible man. I totally get the feeling of being a nomad and exploring the world. But the adventure that we think we’ll have, will most definitely become a nightmare. I still sometimes feel like running away and become a monk, but I know the world is too cruel and honestly my body will assert its own imperatives in due time. I will need the comfort that I am accustomed to. It takes nothing to throw away your life. It takes a lot of courage to keep working and building your legacy as you age.
Really love that last bit:
“It takes nothing to throw away your life. It takes a lot of courage to keep working and building your legacy as you age.”
Insightful and well written essay!
I, too, was very moved by Krakauer's account of the Everest climbing debacle that year. His journalistic skills telling the tale—phenomenal.
thanks for sharing your story! McCandless' story had a huge impact on you!
Although, being from Alaska, I was trained to have a different take on his story (mainly judgment around his naïveté), I later came to need my own breaking away and initiation. In many ways, it's a natural impulse, especially for young men, and an important rite of passage that our culture has replaced with perpetual adolescence.
It's also important to remember that McCandless was running from something, the intensity of which may have served as that which propelled him across the continent and so severely out of contact with his family. Someone not running from but running toward may go about this ritual in a way more like what you've experienced.
I read this book back in the 90s and walked away with a warning about being naïve. I appreciated your window on this work! Makes me want to revisit this book.
In an amazing coincidence, I read your essay on the same day I visited the Museum of the North on the campus of University of Alaska Fairbanks, and saw a sign explaining that they are relocating the bus to the museum. I don’t think I can post photos in comments or I’d share a photo of the sign with you… it was fascinating. Visit Fairbanks sometime! (But it sounds like it will be a few years before it is ready to be on exhibit)
Oh that is awesome and Fairbanks is definitely on my list whenever I make it to Alaska. I had heard they had removed the bus a few years ago but hadn’t heard what they had planned to do with it. Good to know. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Brian!