Fear of death or injury

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Spaceman,
I can't speak for the rest of the world but, here in the U.S., we have become absolutely hysterical about safety. Most people are very eager to lay down some pretty harsh judgments on anyone who dares to engage in any sort of risky activity, however modest the risk may be. As it happens, we are also hysterical about children. Bumps and bruises are now to be avoided at ALL costs and just about ANYTHING that your child enjoys doing is probably under attack by one advocacy group or another. I, for one, am glad that I grew up in the Wild West of the 70's and 80's... back when being a kid was actually fun.

George Carlin said it best - "Grown-ups have taken all the fun out of being a kid, just to save a few thousand lives."

Deep down, Spaceman, I suspect that the people ripping into that couple are jealous of their relatively adventurous lifestyle.

It was probably you guys who gave us "Caution the contents of this cup may be hot". However we, in Oz I mean, have taken it to a whole new level. The Nanny State has been fostered upon us by a bunch of latte slurping, Chardonnay sipping .............. Aaaaaargh! I better stop here and have a beer before it becomes a banned substance.

Cheers