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60 Minutes Presents: Going to Extremes

February 26, 2012 4:00 PM

Extreme sports: "Birdmen" who soar off cliffs in wingsuits; a climber who scales sheer mountain faces without climbing ropes; and divers who swim with Great White sharks. They're all on 60 Minutes Presents: Going to Extremes, hosted by Steve Kroft.

60 Minutes OverTimeWhy they do it: Extreme athletes on 60 Minutes

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by sallychicago March 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
Those parents who believe in this poppycock theory should send their kids to private school.
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by mardene3 March 1, 2012 12:18 PM EST
Well, to each his own, BUT I COULD NEVER DO THAT! and I'm so thankful none of my kids were thrill seekers like that!
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by eademing February 28, 2012 7:54 PM EST
Want to see some more flying? Check this out in China (I think).

http://player.vimeo.com/video/31481531?autoplay=1
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by EricMurtaugh February 27, 2012 3:03 PM EST
Great segment! I blogged about the same subject today: http://ericmurtaugh.com/2012/02/27/thrill-seeking-crazy-or-a-transcendental-pursuit/

Sue, I think a better question is "why not?" A common explanation among thrill seeking crowds when asked why they risk it all is "this is what I live for." Powerful stuff, really.
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by canineworld February 27, 2012 12:21 PM EST
My son is Deaf and skydives with wingsuits and BASE jumps. Too bad this is not captioned on the internet for him to be able to understand what is being said. I like the way you hear the gunshot sound of the shoot as it opens. My son also has watched friends die in this sport. As a mom I have NOT watched him do this. I have however watched others.
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by kjjnj February 27, 2012 11:48 AM EST
I'm surprised the stories did not address the ways that gender and/or race may influence the desire to and/or access to participate in these extreme sports.

All three main stories focused on white males (apologies if I have incorrectly identified any of the participants) and the overtime stories also focused on a white male's perspective and one white woman's participation in extreme sports. Why don't more racial minorities and/or women participate? I am also curious about the environmental impact of these activities.
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by gunnerxx1xx February 27, 2012 1:37 AM EST
HEY 60 minutes... I am a rock climbing and take part in many extreme sports so I love these 3 segments more than most. But, I mist say what is with the lack or new product you guys have been putting out. I do expect a bit better from you guys... Asking for a new 40 minute show every week isn't asking a lot. Please don't slack off.
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by rkmend February 27, 2012 12:08 AM EST
Sunday evening, for me, is the BEST as far as TV is concerned - because I have an opportunity to watch 60 Minutes. You can imagine my disappointment and chagrin at having 60 Minutes play reruns in the middle of the season. Surely there is enough $$ in the budget to give us something new - or something that you put together and were unable to use because of a news story breaking. Come on guys, give me a break!!
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by khill9702 February 26, 2012 10:30 PM EST
Have you see Travis Pastrana jump out of a plane without a parachute before hooking up to someone for a tandem dive on the way down? He is insane.
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by suechristmas February 26, 2012 7:51 PM EST
i dont't understand the "Going to Extremes", if you have no purpose other than flirting with suicide. The man who swam with the sharks had a clearly had a purpose, but scaling and jumping offs cliff? Why?
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