Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:10 am
Interesting topic.
I'd argue that the biggest factor deciding who becomes a climber isn't social class, but whether or not they want to be a climber. I know the OP wasn't really talking causation, but I am anyway.
I realize there are <sometimes vast> expenses associated with equipment, but SP has members who live in their tents and others who are quite wealthy. It's probably not all that an abnormal distribution.
At the end of the day, we're talking about external definitions of ourselves vs. self-definitions. Society and statistics might say you're rich or poor, but you're the one who decides if you're a climber.
I'd argue that the biggest factor deciding who becomes a climber isn't social class, but whether or not they want to be a climber. I know the OP wasn't really talking causation, but I am anyway.
I realize there are <sometimes vast> expenses associated with equipment, but SP has members who live in their tents and others who are quite wealthy. It's probably not all that an abnormal distribution.
At the end of the day, we're talking about external definitions of ourselves vs. self-definitions. Society and statistics might say you're rich or poor, but you're the one who decides if you're a climber.