Alex Honnold's forthcoming attempt to free solo Taipei 101, one of Asia's tallest skyscrapers, has left the climbing community divided over its broadcast on Netflix's Skyscraper Live. For months, Honnold has been preparing for this momentous feat that began more than a decade ago. On Saturday, he will embark on a two-hour journey to reach the top without any ropes or gear, drawing both excitement and criticism.
While some view it as an awe-inspiring spectacle, others find it "voyeuristic, ghoulish and irresponsible." Critics point out that free soloing comes with a high risk of death, citing instances like Alaskan climbing influencer who died last year in a fall livestreamed on TikTok. Even Alex Honnold's own profession has raised eyebrows, given his status as a husband and father.
Despite the risks, Honnold insists that his climb will feel no different from any other ascent he has undertaken. He emphasizes that Taipei 101 offers predictability due to its distinctive "bamboo box" design featuring stacked segments with balconies every eight floors. The building's architecture provides regular opportunities for rest, akin to a multipitch rock climb.
However, many within the climbing community have expressed concerns about the ethics of broadcasting such an event. Some argue that streamers should be transparent about risk and provide warnings to viewers. While Netflix is disclosing those risks, it's also selling them by allowing thousands of people to place bets on Honnold's fate and completion time.
On the other hand, some climbers view Skyscraper Live as a chance to raise Taiwan's global profile. A small live audience has been invited to watch in Taipei, and an on-air panel featuring elite climbers alongside experts will contextualize the attempt.
As for Alex Honnold, he believes his mental preparation – including visualization and self-talk – would be crucial during the climb. His experience and training will help him stay composed if something unexpected happens. Audiences often find moments of genuine risk inspiring; watching an elite athlete attempt something impossible can inspire people to push themselves in positive ways.
Ultimately, Saturday's event will showcase Alex Honnold's physical endurance more than technical skill. As Alain Robert, the 63-year-old French climber known as "Spiderman," put it: "Death is part of life." Whether viewers watch or not, Taipei 101 stands ready to provide a memorable experience for those who witness its grandeur.
While some view it as an awe-inspiring spectacle, others find it "voyeuristic, ghoulish and irresponsible." Critics point out that free soloing comes with a high risk of death, citing instances like Alaskan climbing influencer who died last year in a fall livestreamed on TikTok. Even Alex Honnold's own profession has raised eyebrows, given his status as a husband and father.
Despite the risks, Honnold insists that his climb will feel no different from any other ascent he has undertaken. He emphasizes that Taipei 101 offers predictability due to its distinctive "bamboo box" design featuring stacked segments with balconies every eight floors. The building's architecture provides regular opportunities for rest, akin to a multipitch rock climb.
However, many within the climbing community have expressed concerns about the ethics of broadcasting such an event. Some argue that streamers should be transparent about risk and provide warnings to viewers. While Netflix is disclosing those risks, it's also selling them by allowing thousands of people to place bets on Honnold's fate and completion time.
On the other hand, some climbers view Skyscraper Live as a chance to raise Taiwan's global profile. A small live audience has been invited to watch in Taipei, and an on-air panel featuring elite climbers alongside experts will contextualize the attempt.
As for Alex Honnold, he believes his mental preparation – including visualization and self-talk – would be crucial during the climb. His experience and training will help him stay composed if something unexpected happens. Audiences often find moments of genuine risk inspiring; watching an elite athlete attempt something impossible can inspire people to push themselves in positive ways.
Ultimately, Saturday's event will showcase Alex Honnold's physical endurance more than technical skill. As Alain Robert, the 63-year-old French climber known as "Spiderman," put it: "Death is part of life." Whether viewers watch or not, Taipei 101 stands ready to provide a memorable experience for those who witness its grandeur.
? I mean, yeah, it's crazy that he's gonna climb the tallest skyscraper in Asia without any ropes or gear, but isn't that what he's trained for? It's not like he's just gonna jump off a cliff and die 
. I know some people are worried about the risks, but I think Honnold has done his homework and is ready for this.
It feels like they're more invested in the outcome than actually watching him climb 
. Either way, it's gonna be a wild ride! 
It's one thing to visualize and prepare yourself mentally, but that's not the same as actually putting yourself in harm's way. And yeah, I get that the broadcast can raise awareness for Taiwan's climbing scene, but shouldn't we prioritize safety over ratings? 
! I mean, free soloing is already crazy enough, but broadcasting it on Netflix's Skyscraper Live? That's just asking for trouble 
And all these bets they're selling tickets for? It's like they're rubbing it in our faces, saying "Hey, we know you guys are going to be on the edge of your seats...literally!" 
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. Don't get me wrong, Alex Honnold is an absolute legend when it comes to climbing and his mental prep is no joke 
. But at the same time, you gotta wonder if he's putting a lot of pressure on himself (and the audience) by doing this.
Yeah, it's enough to make you question the whole idea of broadcasting something so high-risk.
. And hey, if Alex Honnold is feeling good about his mental prep, that's all that matters 
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. And can we talk about how cool it is to see Taipei 101 being showcased on the biggest stage? 
. The criticism just makes me want to watch more 
, but at the same time, shouldn't there be like a warning label on Netflix or something? "Caution: may contain fatal footage"? 
I mean, sure, there are some people worried about the risks, but I think it's awesome that he's sharing his passion with the world. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good adventure? 
I've been following his training sessions and he seems super prepared, mentally and physically. The idea of watching him take on Taipei 101 without any ropes is just mind-blowing! 
broadcasting this stuff live without warning viewers about the risks is super sketchy imo... what if something goes wrong and people get hurt or worse? it's not just about alex honnold's skills, it's about his safety too. we need to be careful about who we're putting in harm's way for our entertainment 
. I mean, it's one thing to watch someone push their limits in a controlled environment, but another thing entirely when they're literally hanging off the side of a building without any safety net 
. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones – being a husband and father shouldn't put him in harm's way like this 
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. Maybe some warnings or disclaimers on the broadcast would be a good idea?
... I mean, who thought it was a good idea to put thousands of people on their bets on Alex Honnold's life?! It's just so voyeuristic and irresponsible 
... and don't even get me started on the fact that they're gonna be live-streaming this guy climbing one of Asia's tallest skyscrapers with NO ROPE 
I'm low-key nervous about this 
his mental preparation will be key 
it's all about risk management, right? 
for the climbing community and Netflix 
"Death is part of life" 
it's so true, yet it's also what makes this attempt so mind-blowing 
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. I get that some climbers see this as a way to raise Taiwan's profile and all that, but can't we just focus on Alex's safety for once? 