> I don't know where you live, but in certain places failing to pay your bills means you end up in the cold rain with nothing to eat.

That's still not the same as dying. There are homeless people who still manage to get by for years on, despite having no means whatsoever.

Which brings us to the end of the thought process: different people (are equipped to?) perceive situations differently & react differently. If the scouts prepared me to not be afraid of being thrown out of my home, or the army gave me the means to survive in life threatening situations, I think it's an even greater sign of character, or maybe just discipline and maturity, to recognise serious situations which aren't the same as dying. After all, your training as a soldier or scout will mean nothing, if you haven't accepted that the things it prepares you for are (or will be) actually a problem.

In my mind, that's not a different perspective. It's the same perspective, applied elsewhere.

Definitely, if I were forced out of my home, I would be able to hit the ground running with minimal fear. I know what to do to improve my situation when I've been dealt a crap hand thanks to scouts, and how to deal with others around me even when they are acting crazy.

Many other people would not make it long term in such a situation, and I'm not trying to imply it'd be an enjoyable life, but I do wish more people had skills to survive the environment just outside their homes.

Isn't that a point he makes in the article? If you get too cold, you die of hypothermia.

Maybe not in HN. :-)

Not in europe.

Well, that depends where in Europe.

the top left side.

you're not going to freeze to death in southern italy

Being from the top left of Europe and having suffered the consequences of making bad assumptions about weather in Italy in winter ("It's Italy, must be warm") I'd always check.

For example, you might quite easily freeze to death at the top of Mount Etna! (And/or burned to death).

With that username I would have said you are from Sicily...

Actually I got it from Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon - I had no idea Arethusa was a water nymph :-)

I do quite fancy visiting Sicily & Syracuse though!

"well, technically.."