Cliff Jumpers, photo by Julie
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”
~William G. T. Shedd
Hi folks, this is Andy McFarlane, curator of Michigan in Pictures with a message so we’re all clear on what this blog is, and what it isn’t.
A little background: On Saturday I was not going to be a computer so I pre-scheduled a photo on Thursday, something I do fairly often. The photo was of some people jumping off the South Haven Pier, and coincidentally, someone fell (or jumped) off the pier late Friday night. They weren’t found, and the search has been called off as there’s no report of a missing person and it appears they may have gotten out of the water undetected.
While I did Saturday things not involving a computer, quite a large discussion unfolded on the Michigan in Pictures Facebook page, centering on the illegality of jumping off that pier (something I didn’t know about) and the irresponsibility of sharing photos of people doing dangerous things. After a quick scan of the comments and messages I’d received, I decided to delete the entire post from Facebook and Michigan in Pictures because I was told that people were still processing grief and that I was being insensitive. That appears to not be the case, and I’m sorry that I didn’t have more time to figure out the whole story.
I guess we can have some of the discussion here (and on the Facebook post). You may recall a couple of years ago when there was a minor uproar over a photo my girlfriend took on the ice. I think that what I wrote then is still applicable, and I hope that all my readers can accept my policy for this blog because at the end of the day, it’s how it’s going to be:
I post pictures all the time where the photographers have taken calculated risks to see, photograph and experience things that you cannot see and photograph without an element of risk. I allow my son to surf in conditions that can be very dangerous, let my daughter climb trees high enough to probably kill her if she fell, and have hiked on trails where one slip meant death.
I suppose I should post disclaimers of “don’t be an idiot” with all photos of risky environments, but I think I will continue to assume that my readers will assess risks on their own, and I will continue to experience and share Michigan as I choose.
…Please understand that Michigan in Pictures is a place where I share amazing pictures that are shared with me. I’m not doing this as a public service to educate people on how to stay alive and safe. I do it for love of Michigan and to share the cool experiences it offers. I trust that my readers will exercise appropriate caution as they enjoy Michigan, and I’m 1000% sure that if folks get out and wisely play a little closer to the edge, they’ll have a happier and longer life.
Caveat emptor!
Caveat emptor will remain the policy of Michigan in Pictures, which I will again remind readers is my personal blog, not paid for by anyone and offered with the sole hope that you can find pictures and places that help you enjoy and appreciate Michigan more.
View Julie’s photo of a maniac kid jumping off the 15-foot high Black Rocks in Marquette bigger and see more in her UP of Michigan slideshow.
Michigan in Pictures 
Bravo. As one who has caculated the stare down of death for exilleration of life I am in agreement of your position. Too many people using the cloak of animinity on the Internet gladly berate people for not cowering in the face of risk.
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That ice shelf picture is really cool. I saved it for future use as a computer wallpaper. I change out the wallpaper almost every day and many of my small delights come from your blog. Thank You.
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We have become so sensitive to everything that I’m beginning to think that old saying about not pleasing everyone all the time is so true. Your photos make my day. Today’s photo made me think how foolish we can be, but it also brought me back to those teen days when we dared to try most anything.
Keep them coming!
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Thank you! I used to jump off anything that I could as a kid and the photos serve the same function for me!
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Keep up the good work. Most everyone who has been to a big lake knows that it is not allowed to jump off the piers.
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You can totally jump off many of them. Always a good idea to know where you are and what’s allowed though!
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Kudos to you for not letting those who ( as was pointed out…anonymously ) love to spend their days making judgmental comments about anything and everything. It seems to make them feel righteous and superior to others. I’m glad you’re defending yourself against their criticism. When I was a little girl I loved to climb trees, way to the top branches and to sway in the wind. I’ve been in physical danger in many situations and I have played close to the edge. I’ve lived a happy and long life. :)
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Yeah. I did that too, and so did my kids. It’s harrowing and sometimes folks get hurt, but as the quotation above says, a ship is safe in a harbor, but that’s not what a ship is for!
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“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.” Pope Paul VI
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.” Mark Twain
You have absolutely nothing for which to apologize, Andy. Keep on keeping on. Your daily posts are an amazing breath of fresh air in media otherwise utterly devoid of meaningful content. Let the fearful cower in their corners and sob to themselves while those who choose to savor life shout joyfully.
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Love this blog, and am reminded about a book a friend shared with me about 20 years ago titled, ‘The Death of Common Sense”. Yes, I am afraid it is true. God speed and keep blogging!
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By the way, live like someone left the gate open!
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If not for the daring how would we develop the next generation of stunt men and women. Most of the actions I see in Hollywood summer action movies are dangerous and could results in severe physical injury or death. Who’s protesting those?
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