Ever since Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone back in 1876, we’ve been able to track the mental state of society through its interaction with the device. For example, if the phone rang in 1929, you wouldn’t dare answer it yourself. The occasion was so momentous you’d probably run and fetch the local priest. By 1960, however, if you heard a call come in, you’d snatch it like a winning lottery ticket, thrilled anyone on earth would be contacting you. Of course, nowadays, picking up a ringing phone is the same as picking up a bag of steaming dogshit. No way you’re going to do it, especially if you don’t recognize the number.
Perhaps this speaks to the dread of having to hear and respond in real-time to another human voice. Or maybe it has more to do with the scam car warranty callers who seem to be multiplying like flies. Whatever the reason, it’s something we can all agree on, which is why we love this story of a hiker lost to the Colorado wilderness for 24 hours who preferred nearly freezing to death than answering a phone call from an unknown number.
As night fell, search and rescue teams were alerted to a missing hiker and aggressively scoured high probability areas for hours, eventually calling off the search after midnight as temperatures dropped to below 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, the lost hiker wandered around the mountains until sunrise when he managed to find his way back to his car and drive home totally unaware that anyone was even looking for him.
Before the search was finally called off, thirteen rescue personnel collectively spent 100 hours looking for the lost hiker who would rather die than risk talking to a stranger on the phone. He was no doubt a Millennial, and this is no doubt the best story we’ve heard all year.
Cover Photo: Nirian (Getty Images)
Visit the Mandatory Shop for great deals on your very own Mandatory merch.
Follow Mandatory on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Weird News 9.20.21
-
OnlyFans Model Claims She Can’t Get a Normal Job Because She’s ‘So Hot’ (You Be the Judge)
More weird news.
Photo: twitter.com/amykupps
-
Meanwhile in Texas: Pro-life Website Created to Snitch on Women Bombarded By Furry Porn Spam (Finally, A Good Use For the Internet)
More weird news.
Photo: RichLegg (Getty Images)
-
Meanwhile in Airports: Woman Goes Through Security Wearing Nothing But Mask and Bikini Brings New Level to Flying Friendly Skies
More weird news.
Photo: instagram.com/humansofspiritairlines
-
Meanwhile in India: Man Dies After Gluing His Penis Hole Shut, And Now Our Worst Nightmares Are Real
More weird news.
Photo: Anut21ng (Getty Images)
-
Man Who Married Sex Doll Cheats on It With Ashtray, Doll Technically Entitled to Half His Cheeto Crumbs and Stolen Underwear
More weird news.
Photo: @yurii_tolochko (Instagram)
-
Meanwhile in Florida: Naked Woman Driving Golf Cart Through Police Standoff Quickly Defuses Situation, How Long Til They Hire Her?
More weird news.
Photo: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
-
Meanwhile in Maryland: Man Stabs Woman in Butt With Semen-Filled Syringe, Someone Needs a Refresher on the Birds and the Bees (Video)
More weird news.
Photo: Anne Arundel County Police
-
Watch Pilot Dario Acosta Set a World Record For Flying Inside This Architectural Marvel
More weird news.
Photo: SOPA Images (Getty Images)
-
Meanwhile in Florida: Super Mom Holds Teen So Her Kid Could Beat Him Up, Nice Little Mother-Son Afternoon
More weird news.
Photo: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (Getty Images)
-
Meanwhile in China: Government Limits Online Video Games to Just 3 Hours a Week (But Porn’s Still Safe, Right?)
More weird news.
Photo: RyanKing999 (Getty Images)
