Alcoholism in Antarctica • Hacker News Board

Re: Alcoholism in Antarctica

#31

Post by southpolesteve » Thu, Jun 27, 2013, 8:13 PM UTC

I've spent time in Antarctica, specifically at the South Pole and not during the winter. Even in the summer months, there is a lot of drinking.

Antarctica was a great experience and I would do it all over again, but honestly the novelty wears off after only a couple weeks. McMurdo might be a bit better since it is on the coast and has a much larger community. The South Pole is just cold, white, dry and flat in every direction. Feels a bit like mild sensory deprivation after a while. There is not much to do besides work, drink, and sleep.

Re: Alcoholism in Antarctica

#32

Post by southpolesteve » Thu, Jun 27, 2013, 8:17 PM UTC

grecy wrote: post #28

raverbashing wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but - You can't go see a movie at the cinema - There's no new bars in town - You can't go for a walk, ride a bike, go to the gym, go shopping, etc - There's nobody besides that (small) group of researchers. People you'll have to see/tolerate every single day. - Food is pretty much the same always Really? That's not for me

A great friend of mine did a few summers and winters at McMurdo as support staff. > You can't go see a movie at the cinema There are tons of DVDs and projectors around, never mind laptops. > You can't go for a walk, ride a bike, go to the gym, go shopping, etc My friend would cross-country ski over to some other countries' base (China, I think) a few times a week, snowshoe regularly, and of course there is always bod…

The food at the South Pole was actually quite good. On par or better than most local dinner food I can get around my house. Our luck with veggies was not so good. Depends a lot of flights, weather, timing, etc.

Re: Alcoholism in Antarctica

#33

Post by Zaephyr » Thu, Jun 27, 2013, 10:48 PM UTC

southpolesteve wrote: post #31

I've spent time in Antarctica, specifically at the South Pole and not during the winter. Even in the summer months, there is a lot of drinking. Antarctica was a great experience and I would do it all over again, but honestly the novelty wears off after only a couple weeks. McMurdo might be a bit better since it is on the coast and has a much larger community. The South Pole is just cold, white, dry and flat in every…

Good to hear that you found it a great experience even if the novelty doesn't last really long. I've always thought it would be.

I've applied for ASC tech jobs but have never gotten an interview. I keep trying even if part of me thinks I have to crazy to want to go.

Re: Alcoholism in Antarctica

#34

Post by ctrager » Tue, Jul 02, 2013, 12:07 PM UTC

rdl wrote: post #7

Doing satellite tech/eng stuff overwinter in Antarctica is one of my dream jobs (along with obviously doing the same thing for Mars, which would be even better). 9 months isn't that long, and I can't imagine wanting to spend all the time drunk, rather than learning about all the interesting science going on. Plus, obviously, Internet.

Have you read any Kim Stanley Robinson? He's written novels set in Antarctica and Mars. I love the "Red Mars" triology.