24 January 2015

What REALLY Kills Alaskans?

In an effort to hype its phony reality TV show "Ultimate Survival Alaska,'' the National Geographic Channel has come up with a nifty list of nine of the 10 accidents least likely to kill people in the 49th state.
 
Only it isn't packaging these minimal risk dangers in that way. Oh no. The channel's website is hyping "10 Ways to Die in Alaska,'' noting the state's tragically high accidental death rate.

"Alaska's rate of 49 accidental deaths per 100,000 inhabitants is 20 percent higher than the national average,'' says its website. "That's not too surprising, considering that the northernmost state has so many natural hazards — steep mountain gorges, icy rivers and streams, sometimes treacherous roads, hungry bears and massive moose, and remote areas where it's hard to get help if you’re injured or run out of food and water. And if those risks aren't intimidating enough, there’s the danger of an avalanche, or the remote chance of a volcanic eruption or a massive earthquake."

The first sentence is true. The second is a crazy mixture of facts and make-believe.


Follow this link to read the whole story.

12 comments:

ProudHillbilly said...

I noticed before I turned my cable off that channels like History and TLC had more and more programs that were less and less information based and more and more "We'll make it up as we go along because we need viewers."

Ed Bonderenka said...

I wonder if the answer isn't the same as a lot of other places.
Diabetes.
Cancer.
Texting while driving.
Getting caught in the wrong bedroom.

Anonymous said...

Have to admit I watch a few of the Alaska shows on Discovery..But the the one you refer to?
Nope...
I also catch Alaska State Troopers when I can.
Is there really a Wild West Guns up there?

Guffaw in AZ said...

I'm guessing not sponsored by the Tourist Board?

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

PH - you're correct.

Ed - we do have a few more "killed by wildlife" stories than most places, and death by hypothermia or drowning (after a snow machine falls through the ice on the Yukon River), but your list is pretty comprehensive.

maddmedic - the Troopers have canceled their deal with Discovery; too distracting from duties, they said. And yes, Wild West Guns is about four miles from where I live, along the highway in Anchorage.

Guffaw - not even close. :)

Cathy said...

That is irritating to warp the facts the way they did.

Interestingly, I started a conversation with a couple here in Florida recently. He was wearing an "Alaska" jacket and hat.

On my inquiry . . . they happily pulled out cellphone pictures of a moose staring in their window and warned that you have to be "careful" in addressing a situation like that.

Rev. Paul said...

Cathy, they sound like Alaskans to me. And yes, you have to be careful around 1,200 pound animals that can kick with all four pointy hooves!

Cathy said...

Oh yes! They were the real deal. They left Indiana and live north of Anchorage . . just got propane installed . . . and have a flush toilet. Their family has written them off as crazy and won't visit them. I think they were in their 70's.

Cathy said...

P.S. He gave me their email address and encouraged me to come stay with them :)

Rev. Paul said...

Cathy, by Alaskan bush standards they have a nice, civilised setup. You should definitely visit them!

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

I enjoy watching video footage of the great outdoors but don't enjoy all the reality programs. Give me some good hiking, hunting, fishing, history and I'm watching it.

The make believe stuff doesn't cut it when filming in Alaska. Real people know what to expect when residing or visiting this gorgeous state.

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, Sandy - and thanks.