Does Risk make life worth living?

Sure, it could at least least to something.

I have recently read your feature “Taking risks makes life worth living” in your last issue. I understand the point you make on it because it is clear that never taking risks in life would make our existence quite dull. Nevertheless, every time someone decides to take risks, possible consequences, which might not be pleasant, should be considered. This is why it is important to be aware of the price to pay for risky choices and make sure it is worth it.

As regards my personal experience, last summer I went on a trip to South Africa. It has undoubtedly been the best experience I have ever had. However, not everything ran smoothly because of the risks we took. When we arrived in Johannesburg, we rented a car, a conventional car in order to get to places by car. One of that places was Kruger National Park. Locals advised us to rent a 4×4 so that we wouldn’t get stuck in the middle of Kruger, as they said that not only were there roads in an awful condition, but there were also wild animals, like lions or cheetahs that could jump onto the road. We didn´t pay too much attention to them and we headed to the park with our Ford Focus. Oh my god! It was the most awesome and at the same time the most terrifying experience I´ve ever lived. All the views and fields were outstanding and we were enjoying our trip more than ever before, but suddenly, without being aware of it, the car stopped. It ran out of petrol. At that moment, we began to sweat and to feel really anxious. We saw more or less 5 elephants, 2 lions and 7 or 8 cheetahs in front of our Ford Focus, where we spent 4-5 hours until the police came and rescued us.

Since then, I have often wondered why many people act against rules, even knowing it is wrong, risking being punished. I think that especially young people quite naturally try to challenge society, either consciously or unconsciously It might be due to the idea of being the “coolest”, typical of youth, Of course, it goes without saying that young people are not the only ones who tend to take more risks. But I think that maturity makes people more aware of the possible consequences and hence more cautious.

All in all, I learnt a lesson from my risky behaviour and I have an anecdote to teach my children and a piece of advice to all of you. Don´t get lost in the wildlife if the level of petrol of your Ford focus is low!

Tall towers have it.

Even if society turns around with money, it doesn't turn around with poop.

What people dislike cannot be used for the same purpose as people want, even when used from the other side.

I am sorry but for the life of me I cannot hear that "the human brain is hardwired for

narrative" (see Kindred's effort) here.

For too many answerers here are OUT-of-the-love-of wisdom so to speak, both philosophically and going forward practically.

They know who the are (they've been told enough times!) and believe me when I say

that you may be surprised to find that their historicist cousins have also been practising away -doing so called philosophy at a VERY Reduced risk- in the realms 

of "Reddit" and "Quora".

Of courseitis  risk for me here to say such a thing...but as hardly anyone has SOMETHING NEW TO ADD TO Philosophy then I could be "hedging my bets"

saying the Same Thing that is likly happening in those other two "sphere's of

knowledge influence" named.

So look, whoever you are... Philosophy IS NOT AND CANNOT BE "a game" just

as the small influencers want it to be (!)

I should know that after many years here listening to their many such "tries" -

of trying not just to understand them & their mistaken subjective ways but in

trying to introduce them to a better method of philosophy using the tried and

tested method called "critical rationalism" (= leading to better & better objectivism).

(& which sees philosophy discovery work as deductive and NOT as inductive or

anything of that sort..)

Yet the subjective "lovers" of philosophy seem always mistakenly adamant that

story-telling and historic gossip using the time wasting "subjective method" is

the right and indeed the CRITICAL way to best proceed.

Bloody nonsense it is ; and the quicker NEW Students "Fall out of love" with

such tripe talk the better !

Good luck to you all.

They say the human brain is hardwired for narrative.   Narrative requires tension and tension can mean that you have conflict like a risk.   

It is exhilarating—and that is the spice of life. 

... to clarify based on ?’s criticism—-

Neuroscience proved our brains are hardwired to recognize and engage with narrative.  We learn from it.  Tests with stories and brain-scans. Our brains light up when narrative unfolds.  

I’m saying our asker here is on to something about risk.   Risk creates mental tension—we focus on it—mental engagement.    Tension is part of the narrative arc—I have spoken to several authors who agree it propels a novel.  

I know you love subjective.  Narrative is creative, jet so many people are drawn to philosophy through great literature that asks big questions.

So of our own risks—they keep things interesting.  Some times they fail sometimes they propel and sometimes they are just a story.

Vodka, circumstances, little things, inner strength, 

good hot sex, and chance ... are what make life worth living.

a) Only for some people

b) This is primarily a psychological issue, not a philosophical one.

it might depending on what type of risks youre taking