Living on the Edge: Extreme sports and their role in society with regard to extreme sports, the perception of the general public is that people who choose to take risks are irresponsible ‘adrenaline junkies’ who are ultimately a burden to society. By curbing their passions and limiting access to activities some consider too dangerous, we may be inviting even greater risk in the form of addictions, crime and health problems the end result of which is a heavy burden for society to bear. Works Cited Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (June 30 2004) Electronic Game Use is Associated with Childhood Obesity 12 March 2006, but some people need more than the normal forms of life’s excitement and take it one step further, participating in high-risk activities- sports played on the edge, where the consequences are far greater, and where as the great American mountaineer and outdoor philosopher Willi Unsoeld once said, ‘It has to be real enough to kill you.’ (258) Psychologist Frank Farley has studied thrill seeking risk-takers for decades, and has developed the term “Type T” (for thrill seeking). In fact, by curbing a person’s passion and limiting access to their chosen sport–even those the public may consider risky– these athletes may well find outlets for their energy that is much more burdensome to society. If he is predisposed to risk-taking behavior, it might not be long before he is gambling beyond his means as he seeks his next ‘high.’ Gambling addiction is a serious problem that can quickly devastate individuals, destroy marriages, break up families and lead to other addictions and health problems. Without relatively safe outlets for this driver, people predisposed to risk taking behaviors will seek out other activities, with potentially greater personal, social, and economic consequences.