|
Why
Do People Like to Take Risks?
|
Photo:
Luis Schiavo
Car racing is a risky activity.
|
|
Why
are people risk-takers? What makes a person take
high risks and do dangerous, even life-threatening
things? Some people love speed and the thrill of
racing; other people are into extreme sports such
as ice climbing, and bungee jumping.
International
students share their views on why people would risk
their lives to do these things.
Some
people are addicted to taking risks. Other people
just want to feel extremist. Most risk takers are
men. Is it because men have more curiosity? Most
women always think twice about taking risks because
they are more rational than men. Men just want to
feel extremist, take things to the edge, and get
their adrenaline up high. Sometimes, I also want to
feel extremist, but I wouldn't dare take risks for
thrills. It is very dangerous, I think. We have
only one life. Can you give up your life for
thrills? I don't understand someone who is a big
risk taker. I don't know; maybe I'm a chicken, but
I don't understand them.
Seung-Hye
(Clare) Lee from Korea
|
Photo:
Thomas Peters
Bungee jumping is an activity for dare
devils.
|
|
People
who like to do risky things usually are daring and
extremist. Also, they could be addicted to it; the
more they do it, the more they want to do it. I
don't know anybody personally who takes things to
the edge, but I guess that they do dangerous things
such as bungee jumping for the thrill of it. A new
experience, new emotions to conquer themselves. I
wonder what it would be like to do some of the
risky things that I see on TV, but I am sure that I
wouldn't try them because my fear would be much
bigger than the desire of satisfying my
curiosity.
Nelma
Toledo Mendonca from Brazil
In
my opinion, risk takers always have very similar
qualities. They want to try something new and enjoy
the thrill. Unfortunately, I have a great number of
friends who are risk takers. They not only take
extreme risks, but they also ignore the law. These
people aren't conservative, and they love freedom.
In Taiwan, we don't have many chances to do these
things, but risk takers still can find the way to
fulfill their desires. They race cars on the
highway, and they chase the cars which go faster
than theirs. It's really dangerous for the regular
drivers. In our society, most people don't support
the risk takers' actions. They don't enjoy these
kinds of sports. However the risk takers still need
to achieve their desires, so they take risks in
their real life without any
restrictions.
Kung-Yi
(Fred) Chen from Taiwan
The
reason that some people like to be risk takers is
it's exciting. I once saw a TV program about this.
Our body produces a chemical while we are doing
extreme things. It's like an addiction. The more
you do it, the more you want to do it. And it's
never ending. If they consider themselves
extremists, the will always find something riskier
and try it.
Piboon
Choklerdpatana from Thailand
I
think people take risks because they need to feel
the emotion of the situation. They just can't live
without it. While I was talking with Boon, he said
when people do these things, their bodies develop a
substance. Maybe this is a kind of drug, so they
need to do these extreme sports; each time it must
be something riskier to have the amount of drug
they need to live. I've never done something this
thrilling, but I'd like to, just to know how it
feels, how it is. Many times I've passed over
bridges or I've been standing or sitting in tall
buildings or in airplanes, and I've wondered how it
would be to jump from there. The only risky thing
I've done is go to the rapids and jump into the
water. It was great and exciting. I want to do it
again, but maybe do something a little bit more
thrilling than he first time.
José
Guillermo Davila from Mexico
The
first time they do something, many people feel
scared to do extreme sports; but when they do it
several times, they feel excited and thrilled. Only
the first time is difficult. Many risk takers are
addicted to taking dangerous sports to the edge.
They more they do it, the more they want to do it.
I never think of doing extreme sports, but I think
if I did it once, it would be easy. Addiction is
the biggest reason. When they do that, they feel
the thrill of the rush. If they didn't enjoy taking
risks, they would never do it. I think risk takers'
biological condition has an effect on them. They
have high adrenaline, so they enjoy doing extreme
sports. Also, they have a strong
curiosity.
Seung-Hye
(Clare) Lee from Korea
I
think it is a kind of need for them. It is a vice.
They are addicted to dangerous sports or
activities. I think that young people are likely to
take risks, maybe because they want to look like a
courageous guy or a strong person. Maybe because
they don't think twice about danger. They like to
go to extremes. It is nice to talk about their new
experiences with friends of theirs. I'm an extreme
weakling, so I have never thought of taking these
kinds of risks. They are too dangerous, and I'm
addicted to safety
Angela
Teixeira from Brazil
More
on Risk Taking: Speed
is Like a Drug
Return
to: Is
Risk Taking
Addictive?
| Issue
13
| Home
Page
TOPICS
Online Magazine
-
©1997-2008 - Sandy
and Thomas Peters - topics.mag@gmail.com
|
