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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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You could compose a short letter to Outside, and post a longer response here (which you could edit over time, or even remove after a short period). Here it would be accessible to a larger readership without charge.
It's not clear to me why print magazines are any more legitimate forum for written discussion than the internet. Here the desire to sell advertisement hasn't affected our ability to post whatever we believe should be posted... at least not yet.
In this medium you also have the ability to edit and respond, and conduct the discussion "in the open."
Just a thought.
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Jello,
Having never met you, I sure get a great (and consistent) vibe from you on ST. You seem like a guy who's pretty comfortable with your accomplishments, but who doesn't ever come across as someone who needs to keep them in our face in case we don't forget them. You're humorously self-effacing, and I can't imagine anything coming out in an article that would give your ST homies a different impression.
I'd just throw out a thought or two about forgiveness (from my perspective): forgiveness is an action, not a feeling. It is, I think, an act of the will in which a person determines not to make the other person "pay" for what they did (or for what they perceive they did). Feelings of forgiveness can follow ("feelings are rewards given for actions taken"), but that's not a guarantee. Forgiveness is so often more for the benefit of the person against whom an infraction has been directed--since bitterness and resentment essentially destroy the container in which they are kept. My wife once told me that "unforgiveness is like swallowing a bottle of poison, hoping the other person will die." Yikes!
In terms of how to deal with the situation you're in now (since you cast out for responses), I'd just suggest talking with Pete directly and not printing anything counter to it. The people that know you will be able to sort out what's valid and what's not. Negative conclusions others may draw from the article are not worth losing sleep over.
Hope there's ultimately a positive outcome with you and Pete!
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jeff
You've got a great attitude--There's nothing you
should be worried about as you know where your heart is,
as do how many people that have been touched by you.
You're an example to the rest of us in being positive
and a great human being. I'm sure however you decide
to deal with this will work.
Best wishes.
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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A couple of thoughts to someone I admire immensly.
Consider the motivation of the Outside editorial staff and the subsequent pressure on Pete to "deliver". Outside magazine has been tripping over themselves lately seemingly emulating a Rupert Murdoch publication.
Remember the original Outside article by Krakaur about the 96 Everest tragedy. His portrayal of Anatoli was fabricated bunk.
Eventually Outside's editorial staff was slammed by angry letters defending Anatoli.
As you are more of a household name than Anatoli was Pete's article will likely produce a much greater backlash. Supporters and defenders will flood the Outside magazine mail room (and Pete's PO box)with sincere rebuttals. Many of which will see print.
My advise is to let it roll off your back as soon as possible.
Your reputation is known to so many (more than you can imagine) that it needs NO self defense.Continue to focus on the good you do and let the prolitariat masses set the record straight.
You could always ask Pete why? But you might also tell him you feel bad. Bad for him. His journalistic reputation is going to take a heavy hit.
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Tomcat
Trad climber
Chatham N.H.
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Jeff.Philo is right.
Outside is a comical piece of trash.Whatever you do,don't do it there.You are revered in the community and need not stoop to defend yourself from Pete.
I'm sure you have read 'The Fountainhead".
"What do you think of me now..."
" I don't think of you"
Ignore it.
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Jim E
climber
Mountain Road
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Does anyone actually read Outside? I glance at it occasionally while waiting for boarding call at the airport, but that's about it.
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Hey Tomcat, how perfect to Quote Ayn Rand's Fountainhead in this context.
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Coz.
Google Jeff Lowe. Then say hello jello you mellow fellow.
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Scared Silly
Trad climber
UT
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Negative crap takes so much energy cause you really do not want to do it but deep down you know you have deal with it. It is a vicious thing. So what to do? Something I heard recently - if you have a problem with something don't spend your energy telling people who can not do anything about it. Talk to the people who can do something about it.
I think this is slightly relevant here as we on the Taco Stand can not do anything directly only Jeff you can. Indirectly, though for those who read the article can voice their opinions. However, as previously noted most anything published in rags like Outside Magazine is crap. (I like calling it Outhouse Magazine cause that is where it belongs and best used for, but I digress).
Jeff, if what you what you wrote in your first post is how you feel about the article then there is your letter to Outside. Done.
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GDavis
Trad climber
SoCal
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One article won't change the way people think of Jeff Lowe. Your actions speak for themselves.
Oh and don't do interviews for mags... they are never as flattering as they need be (flattering articles are lame, eh?).
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yo
climber
I drink your milkshake!
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Looks like all that Nazi bondage stuff is finally coming to light!
If I were you, I would steam ahead imperviously at full speed. Not a suggestion, really, just what my style would be. It's okay to allow Pete to be responsible too. Making him a puppet doesn't necessarily make it easier/better on everybody.
You're a great dude, Jefe. Go to that wedding and grab a live mic! bwahaha!
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DonC
climber
CA
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I always perceive long point-by-point rebuttals to be defensive. Short, thoughtful, almost light hearted responses always seem more effective.
We should all write a letter to the editor the minute this thing hits the rack. I spent many days sitting in a tent with Jeff storm bound on the Kahiltna Glacier long ago. With nothing to do but talk and play cards 12 hours a day, you get a sense of who someone is, and I always liked what I saw and felt during those days.
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Tomcat
Trad climber
Chatham N.H.
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After the Everest debacle I call it Oneside.....
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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From where I'm sitting, nothing but fluffy greatness as far as the eye can see.......
From Glenn Randall' Vertigo Games.
Ever watchful of the media, Frank Zappa once concluded, "And as for the sucker that will write the review......
If his mind is prehensile,
He'll put down his pencil,
And take a little ride on the cosmic utensil!"
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paganmonkeyboy
climber
mars...it's near nevada...
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jeff - do you want me to pop him one ? he's got that glass jaw...bet he drops like a sack...one, maybe two tops...
ok - joking. the fact that you bring this up like you do - "In any case, I've already decided I can only forgive Pete, much as I'd like to hang onto my angry reaction. I will attend his wedding in Steamboat Springs in August, as planned. My question to you, my Taco friends, is how do I go about alleviating the concerns of friends and family--and those who don't know me at all--without giving more energy to a completely specious report? " - speaks Volumes about you and who You are, sir.
Write your own side. Be who you always have been. The truth shines on my friend.
-Tom
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Well I've spent a little time with both players here, including all together, so I'm going to have to read this and sort it out.
What the heck is going on here?
(coz was funny though)
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 8, 2008 - 11:47am PT
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Did you guys ever consider the fact that the internet is a direct reflection of the way the universe works, i.e. you get back exactly what you focus on and look for. Coz, I agree that Pete is a great man. But it's clear he doesn't "get" me, in any depth at all. It took me all of fifteen minutes to truly forgive him. And I'm sure we'll have plenty of discussions over this in the future, because I know Pete well enough that he'll accept any public or private response he gets from me. It's more that I'm really puzzled to figure out whatever point he was trying to make with the piece--it's just so warped. I wouldn't do an interview with just anyone, but I trusted Pete to be fair and balanced. Didn't happen. Tries to make me into a climbing god, and a total loser in my personal and professional life.
EDIT: Neither version is true, of course. He even goes so far as to manufacture a feud over money, between us. There's some sort of huge miscommunication going on, one that I tried to correct during discussions with Pete during the final "fact checking" for the article.
In the end, I will take all the advice to do a short and respectful letter to the editor, then go back to letting actions speak for me. And thank you all, again.
This Supertopo site is like having direct access to a wonderful piece of universal mind. Now don't ya'll go gettin' swelled heads over such a compliment. I promise the gushiness will end, soon.
-UniversalJello
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 8, 2008 - 12:02pm PT
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Oh yeah, to begin focussing on the positive. Please check out our new website for Utah's High Adventure Mountain Film Festival: www.utahadventurefest.org It's going to be some good times in Ogden, September 18-21. Then check the ogdenclimbingparks.com site periodically, for other good news that's coming.
Sorry for the commercial break...
-JelloRollsUphillTowardADifferentSummit
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho
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I despise Outside Mag. The only reason I read it is because I got a free subsciption from a sponsor. I scanned the article this morning and, without having actually read it entirely, my immediate reaction was "this is an unfortunate and unforgiving piece". This was before I saw this thread on the Taco.
My second reaction is that the tone of the piece comes across like more Outside Magazine sensationalist tripe. I wonder how much the editors spun Pete's words into an alpine hero soap opera.
But then, what do I know?
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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jello, although i have never met you, i have always regarded you as an inspiration and a person to emulate. trust me, most people feel the same way. anyone dumb enough to base their opinion of someone on an outside magazine write-up (destined for the recycle bin after a couple of weeks on the toilet) gets whatever delusions they have coming to them.
i'm no dime-store anaylst, but maybe this is more about getting hosed by a buddy than the article itself? just a thought.
in any event, what the world thinks of you is none of your business. it's good that you will make your peace with pete. life is too short to stay pissed at old friends.
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