The End of Adventures?

I read an article in November's issue of "Outside Magazine" called "A Farewell to Yarns." In it, journalist Ian Frazier bemoans the loss of the wilderness's mystique due to advancements in technology. Outdoor adventurers in the past would greatly exaggerate the sights and events they encountered on their journey without any fear of contradiction. Nowadays, however, it is easy for anyone to question and attempt to verify such claims. Transparency is enforced by technology, such as the Internet, DNA testing, and close video and photo-analysis. While I think that the ability to fact-check is empowering, I am also slightly saddened that some of the allure of the great outdoors is now lost. If I wanted to see the Himalayans without enduring all of the financial burden, mental strain, and physical work to actually get there, I could easily view them in 3-D on my phone. Or else I can read people's detailed blog posts about how they struggled to summit Mount Everest, viewing their clear pictures of the tundra from the comfort of my home. Yes, the Internet is democratizing, but I wonder what sort of impact all of this access to knowledge will have on people's interest in the world around them. Will it inspire people to go exploring or will they instead be satisfied with all of the information they can find on the Internet?

I was unfortunately unable to find a copy of the article online, but I will bring in a copy of the magazine to class tomorrow if anybody is interested in reading the full column.