September 13, 2024 at 3:50 p.m. Updated September 14, 2024 at 9:09 a.m.
Reading time: 4 minutes
For six months, the internet has not heard from Inoxtag, who set himself the challenge of climbing Everest after a year of training. Since his departure on April 10, the YouTuber with 8 million subscribers, Inès Benazzouz by her real name, has kept the suspense on the success, or not, of his ascent.
Read also: Challenging Everest has become an attraction for millionaires
His documentary, Kaizen, which will be shown in a single screening at the cinema on Friday September 13, and on YouTube the following day, contributes to presenting the mountain as a commercial product, regrets Fiona Mille, president of the environmental association Mountain Wilderness.
Reporterre — Inoxtag, a 22-year-old YouTuber who is not a mountaineer, is preparing to release a documentary about his ascent of Everest. What do you think?
Fiona Mille — Everest has become a box to tick, something to do once in your life. What is questionable with Inoxtag’s video is that it is promoting the feat and promoting a business. It is making the mountain an object of consumption and this has obvious environmental impacts. But Everest has become a postcard, so Inoxtag is going there anyway. He is a French YouTuber, but there is a real clientele of wealthy people who say that in two days they will be at the top of the roof of the world.
I would rather have Inoxtag talk about what being in a natural environment has given him. He would invite us, even if it means going to the roof of the world, to take several months to do so, to immerse ourselves in the massif, to soak up the culture of those who live there. We must bear witness to the state of the mountain in order to change our lifestyles.
What could be the consequences of this type of video on high mountains?
It’s a good thing that people are interested in the mountains, the question is rather how do they go there. Influencers have a role to play in their community and must convey sensitive messages about our natural ecosystems. Today, we can no longer make films about the mountains without sending messages, without talking about the climate emergency and its ravages. This summer, one of the main Sherpa villages near Everest, Thame, was ravaged by a torrential flood. Will Inoxtag talk about it?
A proposition selling “an imaginary world of unlimited resources”
The challenge of the videos is to continue to reconcile the wonder that the mountain gives us, because it is a source of commitment, but it must be done with a message calling for us to rethink our ways of life. The images of Inoxtag will be beautiful, but I think that the message behind it will not be there. That there is surpassing oneself, the desire and the need to go to the mountains, it is a very good thing, but we must also remember that it is not a playground. We must go there with respect and that requires changing our approaches.
Content creators are going the extra mile to produce videos and surprise their subscribers. Inoxtag’s Everest climb is the ultimate example. What do you think?
This race for “always more, always further” has a negative aspect, it responds to the society of immediacy, where we must go quickly, and do lots of things, since that is how we are recognized. However, the message conveyed is no longer consistent with the challenges of our century. It continues to sell this imaginary of unlimited resources while we have an imperative of sobriety.
The real challenge is to show that this sobriety is not sad. We can experience fewer things, but more intensely. Films have their role to play in getting this message across. Mountains are living ecosystems, not just places where we can perform. Finally, with this documentary, Inoxtag will reach a lot of people. I’m afraid it’s selling an inaccessible dream of performance, while the beauties of the mountains are accessible to everyone.
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Challenging Everest has become an attraction for millionaires
September 13, 2024 at 3:50 p.m. Updated September 14, 2024 at 9:09 a.m.
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Table of Contents
The Dark Side of Climbing Everest: How Inoxtag’s Documentary Promotes a Commercialization of the Mountain
September 13, 2024, marked the release of Inoxtag’s highly anticipated documentary, Kaizen, which chronicles his journey to climb Mount Everest. The 22-year-old YouTuber, with over 8 million subscribers, has kept his fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if he would successfully conquer the highest mountain in the world. However, the documentary has sparked controversy among environmentalists and mountaineers, who argue that it promotes the commercialization of the mountain and ignores the environmental consequences of such feats.
According to Fiona Mille, president of the environmental association Mountain Wilderness, Inoxtag’s documentary contributes to presenting the mountain as a commercial product, rather than a natural wonder that deserves respect and conservation. “Everest has become a box to tick, something to do once in your life,” Mille said in an interview. “What is questionable with Inoxtag’s video is that it is promoting the feat and promoting a business. It is making the mountain an object of consumption and this has obvious environmental impacts.”
The commercialization of Mount Everest is a growing concern, as more and more people, including influencers and millionaires, attempt to climb the mountain without proper training or respect for the environment. This has led to an increase in litter, human waste, and carbon emissions, which are harming the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas.
Mille argues that Inoxtag’s documentary could have been an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of responsible tourism and environmental conservation. Instead, it promotes a culture of consumption and instant gratification, where people can pay to climb the mountain without putting in the necessary time and effort.
The impact of this type of video on high mountains cannot be overstated. It encourages people to pursue their own Everest-like challenges without considering the environmental costs. Influencers like Inoxtag have a significant role to play in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, but they must also take responsibility for the message they convey to their followers.
As Mille pointed out, the challenge of creating videos about the mountains is to reconcile the wonder and awe they inspire with the need to promote environmental responsibility. “The images of Inoxtag will be beautiful, but I think that the message behind it will not be there,” Mille said. “That there is surpassing oneself, the desire and the need to go to the mountains, it is a very good thing, but we must also remember that it is not a playground. We must go there with respect and that requires changing our approaches.”
Inoxtag’s documentary is just one example of the “always more, always further” mentality that pervades our society. We are constantly encouraged to
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The Environmental Cost of Climbing Everest: Inoxtag’s Documentary Highlights the Dark Side of Mountain Climbing
Reading Time: 4 minutes
For six months, the internet has been abuzz with anticipation as French YouTuber Inoxtag, known for his 8 million subscribers, embarked on an extraordinary adventure: climbing Mount Everest. The documentary, titled “Kaizen,” is set to be released in cinemas on September 13 and on YouTube the following day. While the feat is undoubtedly impressive, environmentalists are sounding the alarm about the potential consequences of promoting such a venture.
Everest: A Commercialized Wonder
Fiona Mille, president of the environmental association Mountain Wilderness, is critical of Inoxtag’s documentary, arguing that it promotes Everest as a commercial product. By presenting the mountain as a conquerable feat, rather than a fragile ecosystem, the documentary contributes to the growing commercialization of Everest. “Everest has become a box to tick, something to do once in your life,” Mille says. “What is questionable with Inoxtag’s video is that it is promoting the feat and promoting a business. It is making the mountain an object of consumption, and this has obvious environmental impacts.”
The Consequences of Viral Mountain Climbing
The environmental impact of Inoxtag’s documentary goes beyond the mountain itself. By presenting the climb as a feasible and desirable experience, the video encourages others to follow in his footsteps, contributing to the growing number of climbers and trekkers on the mountain. This influx of tourists puts a strain on the local ecosystem, leading to increased waste, pollution, and even erosion.
Moreover, the documentary’s focus on personal achievement and conquest ignores the cultural and environmental significance of the mountain. “I would rather have Inoxtag talk about what being in a natural environment has given him,” Mille says. “He would invite us, even if it means going to the roof of the world, to take several months to do so, to immerse ourselves in the massif, to soak up the culture of those who live there.”
The Role of Influencers in Environmental Conservation
Influencers like Inoxtag have a significant role to play in promoting environmental awareness and responsibility. By sharing their experiences and encounters with natural wonders, they can inspire their followers to adopt more sustainable practices and appreciate the importance of conservation. However, this requires a nuanced approach that prioritizes the well-being of the environment over personal achievement.
According to Mille, “Influencers have a role to play in their community and must convey sensitive messages about our natural ecosystems. Today, we can no longer make films about the mountains without sending messages, without talking about the climate emergency and its ravages.”
The Importance of Sobriety in Environmental Conservation
The pursuit of extreme adventure and the constant need for novelty and excitement have led to a culture of excess and waste. Inoxtag’s documentary, while impressive, contributes to this culture by promoting an inaccessible dream of performance and achievement.
Mille argues that the real challenge lies in showing that sobriety and moderation can be just as fulfilling and beautiful. “Films have their role to play in getting this message across. Mountains are living ecosystems, not just places where we can perform. with this documentary, Inoxtag will reach a lot of people. I’m afraid it’s selling an inaccessible dream of performance, while the beauties of the mountains are accessible to everyone.”
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation, it is essential to reevaluate our priorities and values. By promoting sustainable practices and respecting the natural world, we can ensure that wonders like Everest remain accessible and preserved for future generations.
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