This BBC News story tells us that professional surfer Garrett McNamara has just set a new record for riding the highest wave (2012). Garrett had almost not gone into the water off the Portuguese coast on the day, but followed his friends promptings, leading to his catching the record breaking wave, which was verified by comparing his own height to the wave, as recorded on video. As well as receiving $15,000 for his ride, Garrett is using his fame to tell people that "the world would be a much better place if everyone was doing what they wanted to do" (¶ 14).
Whilst I'm not sure that I agree with the way he's stated it, I do like McNamara's idea that the world would be a better place if more people were "doing what they wanted to do". It's important to remember that having fun is a good thing, that having fun is actually a real value, and that enjoying things is, ultimately, a powerful motivator for human beings and other animals. I think that other things than fun matter, and some types of fun should not be allowed, but at the same time, if a life lacks any fun or enjoyment, I think it makes sense to ask why be alive at all.
I'm lucky because I enjoy most of what I do, as I've already noted in my reply to Rainbow Gaga's post on the stressfulness of teaching. And my life outside of AUA is also fairly enjoyable and comfortable. Perhaps I'm lucky that some of my main interests, like reading and arguing, are not very expensive, but I also thinks it's sensible to spend a bit on a special meal sometimes, and otherwise "waste" money. As far as health and other "practical" concerns go, a meal that cost 90% less might be just as healthy and "useful", but I think there is a serious misunderstanding here: the same misunderstanding that tells people that smoking cigarettes or using other addictive drugs like wine and whisky is not "useful".
And if surfing is dangerous, what about the government's role: shouldn't it be making laws to stop people enjoying something just because it's fun?
I'm glad that McNamara's friends didn't let him miss the wave; such serious fun has lessons for us.
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