mt. st. helens, risk, and natural selection

from the ap:

Thousands of tourists spent hours gazing at Mount St. Helens, packing buildings, crowding parking lots and watching from roadsides to see what the rumbling mountain would do next.
While scientists kept a watchful eye on the volcano, throngs of curious onlookers filled the mountain's visitor centers. Others sat outside in lawn chairs, sipping coffee, determined to witness the next eruption.

so... what's going on here? a volcano, whose last major eruption killed nearly sixty people, is spewing ash and smoke. instead of running for their lives, people are flocking to the site. these strange tourists could value the emotional high they get from being on the precipice of a major catastrophe more than their safety. i'd wager a lot of them have the "thrill seeking gene" and a lot more are ego-driven, wanting that “i was there when...” trophy.
more on risk and choice

update: watch mt. st. helen's from the safety of your home.

Labels: decision making, social