UKC

Tommy Caldwell didn't enter this world smoothly. Born seven weeks premature in August 1978, a tenuous birth set the tone for a life that would come to be defined by enduring hardships and challenging expectations: a reclusive childhood; a traumatic hostage situation in Kyrgyzstan in 2000; the loss of an index finger in a DIY accident, a difficult divorce and a particularly stubborn 7 year-long climbing objective.

Good interview but the "multimedia" format is a resounding NO from me.

I think the mixed format style works well here as it is a long interview. 

likewise, I started to read this in my lunch break on a PC with no sound only to realise that there were audio clips. Guess I'll have to come back to it later

"That's what the Damn Wall represented in the beginning, really."  

is that a [sic] or a typo - good one ....

We'd be interested to hear your reasons for disliking the format. 

Doug: It's made clear at the start that it's a multimedia piece and other websites don't tend to have any sort of video warning. Perhaps work isn't the place to be browsing UKC

Even on one's lunch break?

Great interview I thought, clearly thoroughly researched. Credit to the interviewer. 

Its funny how Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell say that they're introverted, yet talk about their feelings and close relationships in press interviews! Americans are just much more open, perhaps. 

I feel like introversion takes many forms, especially as those guys have had to deal with a lot of press.

I have to say though, watching Alex Honnold discuss his feelings feels like the most awkward and forced thing.

Found the format a welcomed change. Seeing facial expressions and hearing, adds to it and does change how you take the information in.

It's mistaken to conflate introverted with the inability to cope with the demands of public exposure or large groups etc. What it means is a preference for inward thinking and alone time. I think there's a meme that says "introverts lose energy around people and recharge on their own and extroverts work the other way around". I think this is most definitely a part of the equation

That begs the question, what do you lot actually do at work if you can't browse UKC?

I loved this interview - bravo!  The multi-media format mirrors beautifully the fully-fleshed out story and 360 degree perspective that is so captivating in THE DAWN WALL and THE PUSH.  Tommy is a fascinating character in our modern world - the combination of fortitude, authenticity, humility and joy is so rare these days - so any interview with him would probably be good.  

Forget superheroes.  Tommy Caldwell is the real deal.

#whatsyourdawnwall #thepush

I see. I should have said uncomfortable with media attention rather than introverted. The people I know who are like that would clam up when asked a question about a previous marriage or traumatic event. But TC answered eloquently. He's had a lot of practice perhaps but it's noteworthy.