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A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

nationalgeographic.com

41–50 of 84 posts

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That was it. The site that I read the story on was here: http://www.janesoceania.com/suvarov_tom_neale/index.htm If you can look past the garish design of the site, it's great reading.

I have a large stack of paper with that story that I printed out. Excellent read for anyone with deserted island escapist fantasies. Also excellent because of the depth of his preparations and how he applies science and logic to his situation. Can't recommend it enough.

There's a fantastic book 'Outsiders' by Gerard Hindmarsh, that overviews the story of Tom Neale and many other fringe New Zealanders such as Robert Long, Maori Bill, Snow Mayer, and Keiko Agatsuma.

Hindmarsh himself spent some of his youth in the hippie homestead/commune at Golden Bay, and that perspective really helps illuminate how these people chose to live.

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#42
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are probably thinking of this guy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Neale

That was it. The site that I read the story on was here: http://www.janesoceania.com/suvarov_tom_neale/index.htm If you can look past the garish design of the site, it's great reading.

I didn't realize that this was actually a book until digging around a bit more for less garish alternatives: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0918024765

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#43
post #7

He appears to interact with tourists, so although the island doesn't have any other permanent inhabitants he does interact with other people, so not alone for 28 years.

He has lived alone on an island. No one else lives there. Not "he has had literally zero human contact."

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#44
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love this documentary, I watch it at least twice a year.

You may be interested in this one as well then. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1874815/ It's about a guy that walked the entire length of the Amazon river. Took 2 1/2 years.

That would be Ed Stafford https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Stafford . He has many TV series where he survives starting with nothing (other than camera gear) and some other shows. Probably the most entertaining, down-to-earth and genuine survivalists on tv.

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#46
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And he has wifi.

Anyone can be alone at any location. If you live in the city, you can live alone. The article states that tourists were banned until sometime in the 90s. Wifi is a recent thing he has acquired, not something he has had for 28 years. I doubt the 78 year old man browses reddit and hackernews. Probably more of a weather tool.

The article implied he uses it to share and promote knowledge of the island, and that it's a concession he makes because he believes it's for the greater good.

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#47
post #2

For those interested in this story, you may also like the documentary "Alone In The Wilderness" by PBS. It's a great story of a man that lived alone for 30 years in the Alaskan wilderness. https://shop.pbs.org/alone-in-the-wilderness-dvd/product/ALW...

I stumbled across this documentary on PBS years ago and couldn't stop watching it. Something about the old production quality and narrative was an enjoyable departure from the tension building in most modern documentaries.

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#48
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's only been posted twice to HN, today and 15 days ago. Both times by the same person. They obviously thought it was interesting, and by the fact it's now on the HN front page, [probably] means that the HN community found it interesting also. HN is not a current-news site; posts should be [from the FAQ]: Anything that good hackers would find interesting. That includes more than hacking and startups. If you had to r…

First time, no comments. Just an observation.

HN has plenty of randomness that may float or sink a submission. That's why the mods themselves have been experimenting with resubmission of potentially interesting links that didn't get any traction.

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#49
post #47
post #2

For those interested in this story, you may also like the documentary "Alone In The Wilderness" by PBS. It's a great story of a man that lived alone for 30 years in the Alaskan wilderness. https://shop.pbs.org/alone-in-the-wilderness-dvd/product/ALW...

I stumbled across this documentary on PBS years ago and couldn't stop watching it. Something about the old production quality and narrative was an enjoyable departure from the tension building in most modern documentaries.

As mentioned by another poster, try watching Primitive Technology[1] on Youtube. Very similar feel.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA

Re: A Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

#50
post #2

For those interested in this story, you may also like the documentary "Alone In The Wilderness" by PBS. It's a great story of a man that lived alone for 30 years in the Alaskan wilderness. https://shop.pbs.org/alone-in-the-wilderness-dvd/product/ALW...

I usually end up watching that documentary every few years because I find it extremely relaxing. Highly recommended.

You might be interested to know that there's more than one documentary. 4 in total!
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