Hi Polak,

I was avoiding this topic but finally decided to throw my 2 cents in.

My personal opinion of Bear is that he's a charismatic guy with a military background, who is very physically fit, using what he knows to create/maintain a sucessful career in the television industry as an entertainer. Les Stroud is no different.(i'll get to him in a minute )They are both actors, and stars of their own shows.

I think that for the sake of entertainment he takes many foolish risks on his show and that's what sets so many people off about him. There aren't very many of us here who would behave in the same manner if faced with the situations he places himself in. But, considering his training and skill level his odds of being hurt are certainly less that one of us attempting to do so.

For example, I'm not a technical climber and would never dream of attempting a chimney climb up a crevase like he did in that canyon in the desert. But, he IS an experienced climber and does just that. I think the fact that he doesn't issue some sort of cautionary about trying these types of high risk activities alarms and angers some folks concerned that someone out there will wander off and attempt to copy him, especially kids. I think that concern is a valid one, and he (and Stroud) have a responsibility to warn their audiences "Dont try this at home, we're professionals" because after all, parental control of children is practically a felony these days.

Personally, I consider both his show AND Stroud's show as nothing more than entertainment with some "survival" mixed in. Both employ a bit of "gross out" factor when it comes to food, etc.

I get a good laugh out of both of them doing silly things that would more than likely get you killed like:

wasting rifle bullets in polar bear country to start a fire when you HAVE MATCHES..(stroud - in the arctic)

Drinking unfiltered/unboiled water when you have a steel canteen cup, fuel to burn, and a fire starting tool.(grylls - practically every episode )

sleeping with seal meat and blubber on his person with polar bears in the area.. (stroud - in the arctic )

climbing everything climbable all the time, and risking falling and breaking every bone in his body at least twice every episode. (grylls )

eating everything caveman style, either raw, or with the charred skin on it, and without having gutted it. (both of them )

jumping into freezing water when there is a perfectly good shoreline to walk on (grylls)

Bear drinking an elephant poop cocktail, and eating rotten zebra meat!! But hey, it got him a guest spot on Oprah.. (Which was the whole idea because publicity = $$$$.)

Having said all that, I also think that many people believe that anything concerning survival should be performed with the grim determination of a military exercise, with nothing even remotely akin to a sense of humor to be displayed at any time whatsoever. And to insert humor or brevity into the sacred skill of bushcraft is practically blasphemy.

Ok, all sarcasm aside, seriously. I think it just "sticks in the craw" of some folks who take the issue of survival seriously that these Action/Adventure shows often glam up the episodes with dashing bits of daring doo that go against even the most basic tenants of wilderness survival. ( keep warm and dry, treat all water if able, stay put and wait for rescue, conserve your energy, etc.) Bad information, tips, etc can get people killed in real world situations. I could go on and on, but I won't

As far as selling products, I say more power to both of them. If bear wants to sell 600 dollar survival knives that are horizontal carry no less bully for him. I hope he makes a mint, really... If Stroud wants to market and sell products, the same goes for him. No reason to "player hate".

I just sincerely hope that no one watches either show and gets hurt trying to imitate them. That would truly be a shame.