Shrinkrap

I found this on a pediatricians forum.

Cornell seeks strategy to discourage students from swimming in gorge

kdmom

Thanks for posting that article, Shrinkrap. I'm all in favor of educating students about the holes and currents in the gorges. There hasn't been much explanation in the past, and people really need to understand why it's dangerous.

Beyond that, I'm not in favor of fences and legislation. The gorges are beautiful and enjoyable -- there's no reason not to sit on the rocks and watch the waterfalls, and there's no reason not to dip your toes into the shallow pools at the edges. People simply need to know that swimming there isn't safe.

phlogistonfreak

I agree that people at Cornell should be educated about the dangers of swimming in the gorges. That said, I think making it illegal is ridiculous - there are plenty of legal and very enjoyable activities (biking on roads, hiking in the mountains, boating, etc) which occasionally result in death. As risky activities go, swimming in the gorges is not a very dangerous one, especially if one is informed about the dangers (and thus less likely to go after a heavy rainstorm, or jump into the stream from the cliffs, or swim when one is a marginal swimmer). I don't see the need to legislate for people what constitutes acceptable risk - whether or not we want to admit it, we all take some risks with our lives, so as to live more fulfilling lives. We're kidding ourselves if we think we're 100% sure to survive a trip to the movies in a car. Sure, we usually do, but people usually survive swimming in the gorge as well.
I think this stems from people's urge to protect human life at all cost. This is a natural inclination, but the fact that we all drive demonstrates that in our day-to-day activities there's a tacit recognition that we must gamble the existence of our lives to enhance the time we do have on earth. One may argue that driving is an essential activity, and swimming in the gorges is not. I feel that recreation IS an essential part of life, and the feeling of being able to freely explore what is around us is a great part of what makes life so precious.

starbound4444

phlogistonfreak - you make excellent points. Education will definitely create a safer environment.