Discovery Chanels Naked and Afraid

reply to post by Phage


I don't disagree with that, but, I suggest you watch the 3rd episode of this show where some big Marine Corp recon specialist super soldier boy wallowed around on the sand for a whole week crying about his sunburn while the girl in the show, an avid surfer already conditioned to the sun, ran around all lalalalalala doing everything, all the work while super soldier boy was crying about tapping out of the show only hours after the first day.

I don't recommend repeat burning for daily life. I'm only suggesting it as a conditioning technique in advance of the show which OP is currently in the application and interview process for going on air.

reply to post by Druscilla

I saw it (hey, I was really bored, ok?) I figure nobody could be that lame. It had to be staged.

I was a surf nazi as a teenager. I was in the water for 4-6 hours a day. My nose was one large scab from the peeling (and irresistible picking of the peels).

But yes, having a tan helps prevent burning to a certain degree so if you are planning on getting stranded on a tropical island prepping for a couple of months before hand might be a good idea. But it ain't healthy.

reply to post by Druscilla


That particular episode was the first I watched - and after watching subsequent episodes I've come to question one thing about the show. Are they choosing idiot men and strong/capable women? How much of a survivalist can a man dragging around a beer belly actually be? How serious about survival can a man be if he refuses food because he perceives that it's gross (the urchin)?

Put Cody Lundin out there and he would likely build a summer home in the 21 days - and remain barefoot the entire time. I bet that man could drive nails with his feet!

I find the show kind of fun.

Two things though...

I think they're choosing people more on the physical aspect rather than a mental one. The guys that often do the bonehead things are in pretty good shape. I'd be curious if you'd get a "Mr. Butterball" out there, if he'd think things out better - and because of what may be a naturally "lazy" inclination, might be the type to resolve things in a much smarter fashion. I'd find it entertaining if some guy with a seemingly ridiculously low rating at the beginning came out of the thing halfway-decent. (Perhaps this is because I prefer the Les Stroud way of surviving over Bear Gryllis, even if appears less entertaining on the surface.) The bias towards "tough guys" also explains why the women on the show seem to be doing things that make more sense.

The other thing is I suspect these people really have no clue to where they're going. Some island with coconuts, sugar roots, and crabs all over with tidal pools, etc. That sounds almost like a vacation. (I'd probably do alright in plains or woods more common in the lower 48 too. At least I'd recognize most of what is useful or edible.) Some of the other locations like a deep swamp or amongst preditors on the plains of Africa, and I'd probably be scared s#######. (And some tropic places or perhaps Australia, you'd also have a hard time knowing what little things are dangerous even if there are no obvious big predators.) So I guess they're not kidding about the "Afraid" part in the title.

The big problem if you don't know where you're going, it makes it harder to plan on what to take. Although if I knew what the other person had, I likely would take some firestarter or an axe/machete. (Knives look cool and are alright as a modest weapon or for food prep, but I'd want something that's also useful for shelter construction. Which is why I find it surprising I haven't seen anyone take an axe yet.)

But yeah, it's not so much about survival as another spin on reality show entertainment. And it satisfies in that regard. (I know I like it better than made up games or popularity contests the other shows have.)

reply to post by pauljs75

perhaps Australia, you'd also have a hard time knowing what little things are dangerous even if there are no obvious big predators

Probably a safe assumption that everything in Australia is designed for the express purpose of killing you.

What the hell is it with that island anyhow? It's like God's little nightmare factory or something....

I have watched a number of episodes and quite frankly the naked thing is just to tantalize the viewers. Even if you were naked, in most parts of the world, you wouldn't be for long! If society goes down the crapper there are plenty of things to scavenge. So, the naked part is just stupid.

It's pretty stupid to put people in a situation with very dangerous drinking conditions and they only get 2 tools. I believe the show would be a heck of a lot better if a pot for cooking were given and then they chose 2 tools. If my partner picked swimming goggles, I'd throttle em on the spot! That episode was the worst and I can't help but think it was completely staged. There were so many snakes to eat and he couldn't kill it! What the hell kind of survivalist is he?

I was stunned on the episode with thorny ground that they didn't make shoes the first priority! Any survivalist knows that skincare is a top priority, same goes with the sunburned guy. what a freaking idiot. He was useless.

I think the most fun is that 99% of people watching see all this stuff and smack their forehead and say, "WHAT!!!! THAT MORON!!!" It's for ratings. Are the men really to stubborn to take any help from the women who might have a good idea? I dunno. This isn't a real survival situation. When life really matters people tend to not be this stupid. And the dumb ones just clear out the gene pool.

Originally posted by Agarta
reply to post by Gazrok

 

Basically yes, I had the application which I filled out the day before yesterday, Then they sent me a written interview yesterday, this morning I received a mini phone interview and this afternoon I received a full interview call. I am going to assume that a second full interview will be set and then something to do with physical abilities, but I will have to wait and see on that. I am actually beginning to get excited, lol.

I'm very excited for you! I am sure you won't disappoint me and show em how it's really done! I hope you can tell us what really happens, even if it's a private email. Best to you!

Originally posted by SmoothRhythm

Originally posted by Agarta
reply to post by Gazrok

 

If my application is accepted I plan on taking a magnifying glass.

Be sure to keep in mind the weather may not always be in your favor. The only episode I have seen had the couple in a swampy area that rained for days and the area had pretty dense foliage. There is a possibility you may be put in a pretty tough area that lacks sufficient sunlight to start a fire with your magnifying glass.

My thoughts exactly! I'd take one of those great fire starters that use a magnesium stick like this:




Why make starting a fire difficult?

Why they don't cover themselves with mud fast bugs me because it's a natural protection and keeps bugs off! There is no way I would go into Louisiana with it's monster mosquitoes. That was a miserable episode and I loved how she just happened to come on a cooking pot out in that area. Not impossible, but completely improbable.

Watched them all with the family, we did warrior bond through each painful episode.

More bs to make Americans look weak and stupid.

Common sense has no place in this show.

Camera crews must be just cracking up the whole time. I can imagine the smells coming from their camps torturing the idiots on the show.

(I did like the 'surfer girl" she was awesome and someone I could bug out on an island with and come out better than I went in.)

I could tell that the guy she was pitted with was a jerk just by how she was after the first 5 minutes of the show. Turned out I was right and even suspect the production crew clued him in at some point before he changed his attitude.

I have watched most of the episodes and spend most of the time thinking "facepalm". Although I understand the naked part does make things more difficult, I really can't think of too many situations that would result in being TOTALLY naked. Maybe if my house caught on fire while I was in the shower and I didn't even have time to grab a towel? So, the world economy collapses and my clothes just suddenly disappear? I think I'd be able to scrounge around and find SOMETHING in a day or two.

ps
I'd take a towel. lol Douglas Adams fans know what I mean.

reply to post by Khaleesi


How about a towel with a Scrabble board printed on it? I can make the pieces there.

reply to post by Agarta


As long as the Scrabble board gives me the question to the answer '42' I'll be happy.