caver.adam wrote: The owners of caves and mines will hate cavers after watching the show (cavers who actually didn't have anything to do with the show or trespassing). Some amateurs will copy the show and get hurt, and cavers (who are now the bad guys) will have to rescue them.
I doubt the consequences will be that dire... or exist at all. Still, it is discouraging that some people believe the nonsense they see on television, that they think that reality tv
is reality. Last weekend some of my cousins visited from Dayton, Ohio. They brought a friend who was terrified of "this creepy place"; my home and surroundings. Furthermore, she was afraid of Amish people because of idiotic television programs. An Amish guy owns my house, and after she learned this she refused to step outside because she thought "Jobasiah, or who ever he is" would get her. It was funny for a few minutes, then sickening.
As it relates to caves, I'm not personally alarmed by misinformation and misrepresentation on television. My personal habits and opportunities and reputation are not effected, and nothing much is harmed. Caves are probably protected, to a degree, by phobia, misinformation, and ignorance.