The old joke goes that, if you're walking with a friend or family member in the woods and are attacked by a bear, you don't have to outrun the bear.
You just have to outrun your friend.
So knock him over or smash his knee, then take off sprinting. The bear will eat your friend instead of you.
If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend down…even if you feel the friendship has run its course.
— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 28, 2023
The US National Park Service warns against this kind of thinking in a brief Twitter thread . . . but doesn't explain why.
Check in on the friendship before you head to the woods.
— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) February 28, 2023
In fact, the NPS has a limited grasp of relationship dynamics.
Let’s discuss. pic.twitter.com/9Kg7qpaKIm
— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) March 1, 2023
Photo: Denali National Park