Originally posted by CatskillKev
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I think another part of the overall situation (lack of self-regulation) is that patch challenges generally seem to attract what is often the most difficult type of hiker to educate- the hiker that over-estimates their own overall level of knowledge/skill regarding outdoor recreation. These are hikers that have gained some hard skills (knowledge of their own physical limits, experience with using gear, etc.) yet are still lacking in many of the soft skills (awareness of the importance of LNT and how to implement it, risk assessment and management, etc.). They are truly no longer beginners but they also don't yet have the experience and knowledge necessary to understand just how much further the spectrum of outdoor knowledge can go. All too often, ego gets in the way here- to be receptive to feedback is to acknowledge that their existing belief that they are an "expert" is in error. Easier to just assume that one is in the right and that any external critique is wrong.
You see a lot of defensiveness on social media especially whenever anyone is called out- to the extent that some folks see fit to defend that specific social media community in it's entirety. All too often when issues like this one crop up and someone suggests "hey everyone, we need to be better about this as a community," you inevitably see a response along the lines of "the members of this Facebook group aren't a part of that problem." It's super problematic because it's never true to begin with, and it absolves that entire specific social media community of any responsibility for addressing the problem and furthers the belief that they are all experts who are immune to critical feedback.
I don't mean to gatekeep hiking by any means- It doesn't take a genius to be able to understand this stuff, and it is accessible to anyone willing to put forth a minimal amount of effort into gaining that knowledge. But there is a learning curve when it comes to doing it responsibly, and it's more of a curve than many who are closer to the outset of their hiking career realize. And for what it is worth, there are two sides of the coin here- when it comes to providing feedback and education, not every hiker with the experience to give it is always great about how they choose to deliver the message. A message can be necessary and relevant but if it is delivered in an unreasonably accusatory manner, then I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing not to listen.
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