Alex Honnold's breathtaking climb up Taipei 101 in Netflix's Skyscraper Live has left many viewers shaken. The sheer magnitude of his feat is awe-inspiring – an unassisted ascent of the 508-meter building, with its three stages of increasing difficulty, was a masterclass in athleticism and bravery.
However, watching Honnold scale the towering structure for over an hour and a half felt more like a test of endurance than an entertainment. The prolonged exposure to tension made it difficult for viewers to focus, often finding themselves zoning out or checking their phones. It's as if taking a long-haul flight in turbulent weather without any turbulence – your mind struggles to sustain the stress.
The Taipei 101 skyscraper was chosen for its dramatic height and features, including overhangs and a near-vertical section at one point. Watching Honnold climb this treacherous terrain ignited panic among viewers, even those familiar with his past exploits like Free Solo. Standing upright on the summit sent a shiver down spines.
While admiration for Honnold's prowess is warranted, it raises questions about whether we should be watching events that risk human life as entertainment. The constant danger in Skyscraper Live was palpable, leaving viewers on edge throughout the broadcast. It felt like rubbernecking at an accident – mesmerized by the possibility of something going wrong.
The implications for television are profound if Netflix follows up with more live events that carry this level of risk. We could be headed towards a Victorian freak show format. With Skyscraper Live, the line between excitement and morbid curiosity was blurring fast.
Ultimately, my nerves are still twitching after watching the broadcast.
However, watching Honnold scale the towering structure for over an hour and a half felt more like a test of endurance than an entertainment. The prolonged exposure to tension made it difficult for viewers to focus, often finding themselves zoning out or checking their phones. It's as if taking a long-haul flight in turbulent weather without any turbulence – your mind struggles to sustain the stress.
The Taipei 101 skyscraper was chosen for its dramatic height and features, including overhangs and a near-vertical section at one point. Watching Honnold climb this treacherous terrain ignited panic among viewers, even those familiar with his past exploits like Free Solo. Standing upright on the summit sent a shiver down spines.
While admiration for Honnold's prowess is warranted, it raises questions about whether we should be watching events that risk human life as entertainment. The constant danger in Skyscraper Live was palpable, leaving viewers on edge throughout the broadcast. It felt like rubbernecking at an accident – mesmerized by the possibility of something going wrong.
The implications for television are profound if Netflix follows up with more live events that carry this level of risk. We could be headed towards a Victorian freak show format. With Skyscraper Live, the line between excitement and morbid curiosity was blurring fast.
Ultimately, my nerves are still twitching after watching the broadcast.
that guy is literally insane! but tbh I was on edge the whole time not sure if he was gonna make it out alive lol 
I mean, 1hr 30 mins of intense climbing and suspense? it's like watching a war movie or something 
my mind kept checking for updates, even when it wasn't necessary 
anyway, i get why some ppl were checking their phones... it was just so long 
but on the other hand, it was also kinda mesmerizing? like we're all drawn to danger and excitement in a weird way 
doesn't mean we should be watching stuff that puts people's lives at risk though 
It's crazy how much emotional investment we make in these kinds of events. For me, it's all about finding that balance between thrill and respect for human life 
. If Netflix is gonna keep pushing the limits like this, they need to consider how viewers are feeling 
. Maybe more prep or planning would help? Idk... just not sure if I'm ready for a full-on live action spectacle again anytime soon 
... I mean, Alex Honnold is an absolute hero, no doubt about it, but at what cost? Watching someone take on such incredible risks for our entertainment is a bit too much for me. It's like we're being asked to pay attention to someone else's fear, and that's just not right.
I mean, what if something went wrong? Would it be worth putting all those viewers on edge like that?
. That's not entertainment, that's human experimentation! I need some concrete evidence and expert opinions before I'm convinced that we should be cheering on these death-defying feats.
, just saying...
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. Maybe Netflix should rethink their strategy and focus on more... let's say, 'safer' stunts? 
! Alex Honnold is literally a superhero, but at what cost?! 
. It's one thing to watch a documentary or training video, but live events? That's just too much drama 
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. I mean, who wants to feel like they're rubbernecking at an accident just for the sake of watching?! 
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. I get it, it's breathtaking and all that, but isn't there a fine line between thrilling us and putting people in harm's way? 
. My mind kept wandering, I was literally checking my phone like every 5 seconds 
. It's like, yeah, we know you're brave and all that, but at what cost? The tension was real, fam 
.
. I mean, if Netflix starts broadcasting more live events like Skyscraper Live, it's gonna be a whole new ball game 
. We might end up with our own Victorian freak show vibe going on 
.
. It felt like we were witnessing a circus act, not entertainment 
. He took on one of the toughest climbs out there and came out on top 
. The fact that it was live and intense is part of its appeal, I think 
. Like, that's just part of the experience, right? You can't always expect a quick 30-minute thrill ride 
. And yeah, maybe some viewers got distracted 
.
The level of focus required to watch him climb for over an hour and a half without any breaks is wild. And you're right, it was more like watching a thrill-seeker on a long hike in the woods than actual entertainment. I was literally checking my phone every 5 minutes, wondering when he'd get to the top already 
. It's clear that Netflix invested heavily in this event, but at what cost? Did we really need to be witnessing this level of danger and uncertainty just for the sake of entertainment?