I claim that before society became anesthetized by television, video games, and related mind-numbing products, adventure, even life-threatening ones, were common, even ordinary, and entirely normal people experienced them.

I feel sorry for those who have never undertaken a quest, and whose only exposure to adventure is movies. Today, far too many live vicariously through actors and via television “reality” shows, which have nothing to do with reality at all. This, to my way of thinking, is abnormal. This is not sane, but, importantly to people who undertake such things, it is safe and simple. And that’s the way they like to live their lives: no risk.

Not so with a quest. It, along with the accompanying experiences, can be quite complex, physically and intellectually. It can also be remarkably healthy and deeply human.

– W.C. Jameson, Treasure Hunter: Caches, Curses and Deadly Confrontations