The Incomplete Cynic

I keep hearing people ranting about Abby Sunderland’s parents, saying things like, “You don’t let a sixteen-year-old, who doesn’t have adult thought processes, go around the world on a sailboat!” and, “The ocean is not a playground.”

They conveniently ignore the fact that her brother did it last year, presumably on a similar boat, at 17, and he’s not even youngest to have done it! Abby wasn’t “playing”, and she didn’t go out unprepared. She and her brother and parents knew exactly what was in store, and what it would take to succeed.

She didn’t actually succeed, but does that mean it was a bad decision to try? It was dangerous (still is, since she hasn’t been rescued yet), but does that mean it’s not worth it to try?

Life involves risk. Scratch that, greatness involves risk. You can live just fine without over venturing anything of value. But if you want to achieve something, you have to take some risks.

Someone said earlier that we’ve become so accustomed to mediocrity - in this case referring to the inability of most 16-year-olds to both walk and breathe at the same time - that we ignore exceptionalism. She said that Abby and her parents believed that this goal was in her grasp, and decided to try.

The response: “If she has to be rescued, was it really in her grasp?” Of course it was! Just because you don’t achieve something doesn’t mean you were incapable. had she come through the storm with mast intact she’d still be on her way. Would we still be so upset?

My question is, how much of this has to do with the fact that it’s Abby and not Adam. Would there be as much criticism if a 16-year-old boy were out there? I’m inclined to say no, since I didn’t hear a word about her brother’s journey, making him the youngest person to sail nonstop around the world (solo), or about the kid who took the record from him. Are we talking about the relative merits of their journeys?

I think that Abby’s parents know best the risks, and know best if their daughter is able. And I hope they encourage her to try again.