(no subject)

[lirazel]

I know this is such a weird and random thing to post about, but I figure if anyone knows the answer, it's one of y'all.

I have this very clear and distinct memory of reading about a polar explorer who always felt like there was someone beside him, even when he was alone. Like, he was hallucinating someone else's presence as a result of the trauma of being in the polar region for months on end.

Does anybody know what this is in reference to? Did I dream it myself?

Comments

[theseatheseatheopensea]

I don't know if this is what you meant, but it immediately made me think of Shackleton and the third man syndrome!

[lirazel]

YES!!!! That is what I was thinking of!!! Thank you!

(I am so delighted because I KNEW one of my DW friends would come through for me!)

[theseatheseatheopensea]

I am so delighted because I KNEW one of my DW friends would come through for me!

:D I find polar exploration super interesting, but I mainly know about this because the syndrome got its name from T. S. Eliot's poetry!

[lirazel]

I also have a weird interest in polar exploration! I think I like to read about people putting themselves in terrible circumstances and then get to pat myself on the back for being smart enough never to put myself in such circumstances. It's not schadenfreude...it just makes me feel good in comparison!

[theseatheseatheopensea]

It's not schadenfreude...it just makes me feel good in comparison!

You're way more mature about it than I am, because even though I am interested in the historical aspect of it, I also think that those terrible circumstances weren't completely undeserved--colonialism is gross and maybe they deserved to freeze their balls off! XD

[lirazel]

Haha! Fair enough! They did bring it on themselves!

[elisi]

I opened this up in a tab and then never responded!

Did you ever read about Knud Rasmussen & Peter Freuchen? (Danish polar explorers at the beginning of the 20th century)

[lirazel]

That definitely happens to me!

I have! Polar exploration is something that keeps reeling me in!

[elisi]

That definitely happens to me!
Glad I'm not alone. I end up having to sit down and Tidy Up All The Tabs. :)

I have! Polar exploration is something that keeps reeling me in!
I presumed as much, but they're the only ones I'm properly familiar with. My mother spent my entire childhood reading books aloud to me, including Peter Freuchen's memoirs.

[dollsome]

I was not familiar with this, but thank you for giving me the chills* with this post, hahaha.

* Which I guess is appropriate considering the setting???

[lirazel]

Hahaha, you're welcome!