[bboop]

Is every act you do one of benefit to others? Self-indulgence is one way to categorize this. Another is High Adventure, and you will find many, many names throughout history in this category — famous names: Alexander the Great, Hilary on Everest, Marco Polo.

Were they really all motived by beneficience towards others? Highly unlikely.

[DJ MacWoW]

famous names: Alexander the Great, Hilary on Everest, Marco Polo.

Were they just kids with a WANT? Should we indulge our kids in dangerous pursuits just because it's what they WANT? None of the people that you named were children out on a deadly fantasy trip.