Thursday, July 31, 2014

Bear Grylls Hosts The Island
















It all started with a question: Can the modern British man return to his roots and survive, bare bones, on a harsh deserted island?

This time, Bear Grylls, the pee drinking, snake eating, Wild Man is dumping 13 British men on a deserted island to see if they have what it takes.  In a six episode season, the men have to build their own shelters, hunt for food, and learn to cope with one another.  Some interesting conclusions came from watching the men tough it out for a month.

1. To Survive, Man Needs More than Food, Water, and Shelter

At the beginning, the men focused on securing a shelter, finding nourishment, and battling the elements.  However, as the show progressed, and they became more efficient at the basics, they started creating luxuries that made them feel more human.

Once the beds were made, they erected tables, living furniture, a hat stand, and a swinging bench. it gave the men a sense of normalcy and a human connection.  Using their creativity to improve their environment gave them a sense of control and pride.

For further reading check out this article and Finding a Village.

2. We Need Each Other 

While it might seem easier, in terms of inner personal relationships, to survive solo, there are solid advantages to being in a group.  The 13 men soon discovered that in order to survive, each one had to use their own strengths and pull their own weight.

3. You Have More Strength Than You Know  

One of the young men on the island, Ryan, started the show with a bad attitude and a low self-image.  He expressed that he felt worthless which amounted to him storming off without telling anyone where he was going.  Everyone was getting on his case about his lack of contribution which fed his insecurities and low self-worth.  A few of the men encouraged him to keep going and he ended up being a profitable member of the team.

Cover Image: Flickr/H Dragon


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