Alex Honnold's record-breaking climb up Taipei 101 has left viewers on edge as Netflix's latest offering, Skyscraper Live, has pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in live entertainment.
Honnold's daredevil stunts are well-documented, and his appearance in Free Solo only added to his reputation as a fearless climber. However, there was a significant difference between that carefully edited documentary and the raw, unedited footage shown during Skyscraper Live.
While Honnold's athleticism is undoubtedly impressive, watching him climb for over an hour without any editing or narrative structure can be daunting. The lack of breaks from the tension made it difficult to maintain focus, with viewers often finding themselves zoning out and checking their phones.
The Taipei 101 skyscraper itself proved to be an ideal candidate for this type of event, with its gradual increase in difficulty and multiple stages of heights and overhangs providing ample opportunities for excitement. Even watching Honnold stand at the summit brought a sense of anxiety, as if the viewer was witnessing a toddler's first foray into a knife drawer.
While Skyscraper Live is undoubtedly an extraordinary achievement, it raises questions about the ethics of live entertainment that puts human life at risk. Should we be condoning events where the possibility of death or serious injury is inherent? The prospect of watching Red Bull-sponsored Felix Baumgartner jump from 24 miles high and knowing that something could go wrong was a stark reminder that this type of content can be both thrilling and deeply unsettling.
It's unlikely that Netflix wants to be associated with such an extreme format, and it remains unclear whether Skyscraper Live will become a regular feature. However, one thing is certain: my sphincter couldn't take the stress of watching Honnold climb without any breaks. The experience left me questioning whether this type of entertainment has its place in modern television.
While some may argue that the risk and excitement are what make live events appealing, others will see Skyscraper Live as a reckless disregard for human life. As we continue to navigate the boundaries of what is acceptable on screen, it's worth considering the potential consequences of our actions – or, in this case, the lack thereof.
Honnold's daredevil stunts are well-documented, and his appearance in Free Solo only added to his reputation as a fearless climber. However, there was a significant difference between that carefully edited documentary and the raw, unedited footage shown during Skyscraper Live.
While Honnold's athleticism is undoubtedly impressive, watching him climb for over an hour without any editing or narrative structure can be daunting. The lack of breaks from the tension made it difficult to maintain focus, with viewers often finding themselves zoning out and checking their phones.
The Taipei 101 skyscraper itself proved to be an ideal candidate for this type of event, with its gradual increase in difficulty and multiple stages of heights and overhangs providing ample opportunities for excitement. Even watching Honnold stand at the summit brought a sense of anxiety, as if the viewer was witnessing a toddler's first foray into a knife drawer.
While Skyscraper Live is undoubtedly an extraordinary achievement, it raises questions about the ethics of live entertainment that puts human life at risk. Should we be condoning events where the possibility of death or serious injury is inherent? The prospect of watching Red Bull-sponsored Felix Baumgartner jump from 24 miles high and knowing that something could go wrong was a stark reminder that this type of content can be both thrilling and deeply unsettling.
It's unlikely that Netflix wants to be associated with such an extreme format, and it remains unclear whether Skyscraper Live will become a regular feature. However, one thing is certain: my sphincter couldn't take the stress of watching Honnold climb without any breaks. The experience left me questioning whether this type of entertainment has its place in modern television.
While some may argue that the risk and excitement are what make live events appealing, others will see Skyscraper Live as a reckless disregard for human life. As we continue to navigate the boundaries of what is acceptable on screen, it's worth considering the potential consequences of our actions – or, in this case, the lack thereof.
. I mean, Alex Honnold's a total rockstar and all, but watching him climb Taipei 101 for an hour straight was like being stuck on an elevator ride with no escape button 
. I get the thrill of it all, but at what cost? My phone kept autocorrecting to "check my heart rate" 
. I mean, what's next? Volcano Live? 
. Can't we find a better way to get our fix of adrenaline without putting people in harm's way? Netflix needs to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if this type of content is worth the risk 
But seriously though, I feel like Netflix needs to be more responsible with the content they air. I get that it's exciting and all, but at what cost? 
. i was on the edge of my seat at first, but eventually i just found myself zoning out and checking my phone 
. don't get me wrong, it's not like he did anything crazy or reckless (from what i saw), but there are just some limits to how much i can take when it comes to watching someone do something that could potentially put their life at risk 
.
. Watching Alex Honnold climb Taipei 101 for over an hour was insane! I mean, I get it, he's a total beast 
, but c'mon, Netflix, can't you just add some breaks or something? My eyes were glued to the screen, but my brain was like "Dude, chill out" 
. I think it's safe to say that this type of live entertainment is not for everyone 
. What do you guys think? Can we just watch an episode of cat videos instead? 
... you know it's gonna hurt, but you can't look away. I get that Alex Honnold is an insane climber and all, but 1 hour of unedited footage? That's just cruel 
. And don't even get me started on the editing (or lack thereof) – it felt like they were trying to torture both the audience and the poor guy on screen 
No thanks! Netflix needs to rethink their strategy, or at least add some warning labels for people with anxiety... 
my brain couldn't keep up 
the suspense is one thing but actual danger is a whole different story 
i'm not sure if it's thrilling or terrifying at the same time 
. Don't get me wrong, it was impressive to see him do what he did, but I think there's a fine line between excitement and reckless endangerment 
. Not sure if Netflix wants to be associated with this type of thing, but at the same time, people seem to love it 
... just don't get me started on my nervous system 
i get that he's an athlete and all, but c'mon netflix how about some editing or something to make the viewing experience less traumatic? 
.
. I'm just not sure if I'm ready for this kind of thing to become a regular TV thing 
. It's like, is it worth putting people's lives at risk? Shouldn't there be some kind of safety net in place? 
! At first, Alex Honnold's skills are insane, no doubt about it 
. I mean, how does he do that?! 
Or am I just a scaredy-cat who can't handle suspense? 
. i get that it's supposed to be thrilling but at what cost? is it really worth putting people in harm's way for the sake of entertainment? netflix needs to think about the ethics behind this kinda thing 
and i can see why some ppl would be into this kinda thing...i think it's more about being aware of the risks involved tho 
