there’s a story about a teruki and he’s teaching his grandson about life one day
teaching his grandson about life one day
teaching his grandson about life one day and he says to him listen son there’s a
and he says to him listen son there’s a
and he says to him listen son there’s a fierce fight going on inside of me and
fierce fight going on inside of me and
fierce fight going on inside of me and it’s between two wolves one of these
it’s between two wolves one of these
it’s between two wolves one of these wolves represents evil he is arrogance
wolves represents evil he is arrogance
wolves represents evil he is arrogance jealousy greed and the other wolf is
jealousy greed and the other wolf is
jealousy greed and the other wolf is good and he represents love compassion
good and he represents love compassion
good and he represents love compassion hope and humility and the grandson
hope and humility and the grandson
hope and humility and the grandson thinks about this for a moment and says
thinks about this for a moment and says
thinks about this for a moment and says well which one’s gonna win and the old
well which one’s gonna win and the old
well which one’s gonna win and the old chief simply replies the one you feed
chief simply replies the one you feed
chief simply replies the one you feed the most now there are plenty of
the most now there are plenty of
the most now there are plenty of fictional characters throughout history
fictional characters throughout history
fictional characters throughout history that depict the darker side of human
that depict the darker side of human
that depict the darker side of human nature we can all think of one right we
nature we can all think of one right we
nature we can all think of one right we have for example Jafar
have for example Jafar
have for example Jafar [Laughter]
[Laughter]
[Laughter] we have Jafar now Jafar is basically a
we have Jafar now Jafar is basically a
we have Jafar now Jafar is basically a psychopath there’s no denying that I
psychopath there’s no denying that I
psychopath there’s no denying that I think he’s slightly Nasus slightly
think he’s slightly Nasus slightly
think he’s slightly Nasus slightly narcissistic to a good mix he’s cold
narcissistic to a good mix he’s cold
narcissistic to a good mix he’s cold he’s calculating he’s got no problems
he’s calculating he’s got no problems
he’s calculating he’s got no problems you know lying cheating stealing
you know lying cheating stealing
you know lying cheating stealing kidnapping or even killing and that’s if
kidnapping or even killing and that’s if
kidnapping or even killing and that’s if you catch him on a good day and then we
you catch him on a good day and then we
you catch him on a good day and then we have the famous Darth Vader I have a
have the famous Darth Vader I have a
have the famous Darth Vader I have a young girl we watch not Darth Vader but
young girl we watch not Darth Vader but
young girl we watch not Darth Vader but Aladdin together a lot now we have Darth
Aladdin together a lot now we have Darth
Aladdin together a lot now we have Darth Vader now Darth Vader is neurotic and he
Vader now Darth Vader is neurotic and he
Vader now Darth Vader is neurotic and he experiences bouts of uncontrollable
experiences bouts of uncontrollable
experiences bouts of uncontrollable anger as well as deep inner turmoil and
anger as well as deep inner turmoil and
anger as well as deep inner turmoil and I think he’s just a great example of how
I think he’s just a great example of how
I think he’s just a great example of how we can be pulled in and seduced by the
we can be pulled in and seduced by the
we can be pulled in and seduced by the dark side
dark side
dark side now the point that I’m trying to make is
now the point that I’m trying to make is
now the point that I’m trying to make is that the dark side isn’t just a
that the dark side isn’t just a
that the dark side isn’t just a fictional creation that exists in our
fictional creation that exists in our
fictional creation that exists in our stories and in our films and as the
stories and in our films and as the
stories and in our films and as the story of the wolf warns us the dark side
story of the wolf warns us the dark side
story of the wolf warns us the dark side lurks in all of us and the more we feed
lurks in all of us and the more we feed
lurks in all of us and the more we feed our insecurities the more it flourishes
our insecurities the more it flourishes
our insecurities the more it flourishes and the more it grows now the dark sides
and the more it grows now the dark sides
and the more it grows now the dark sides easy to see in some people because
easy to see in some people because
easy to see in some people because they’re outwardly abrasive or aggressive
they’re outwardly abrasive or aggressive
they’re outwardly abrasive or aggressive and these people are the stereotypical
and these people are the stereotypical
and these people are the stereotypical monsters within our society they are the
monsters within our society they are the
monsters within our society they are the people we kind of tend to stay away from
people we kind of tend to stay away from
people we kind of tend to stay away from we might be a bit scared of right yet
we might be a bit scared of right yet
we might be a bit scared of right yet there is also another group of people
there is also another group of people
there is also another group of people within society who’s perhaps abrasive
within society who’s perhaps abrasive
within society who’s perhaps abrasive and aggressive tendencies manifest in
and aggressive tendencies manifest in
and aggressive tendencies manifest in more covert ways they’re a bit more
more covert ways they’re a bit more
more covert ways they’re a bit more hidden but they still exist and these
hidden but they still exist and these
hidden but they still exist and these people tend to integrate into society
people tend to integrate into society
people tend to integrate into society and they might be in a position of power
and they might be in a position of power
and they might be in a position of power they’re quite perhaps manipulative the
they’re quite perhaps manipulative the
they’re quite perhaps manipulative the the problems that they create and the
the problems that they create and the
the problems that they create and the suffering that they caused can be very
suffering that they caused can be very
suffering that they caused can be very destructive now the dark the thing is I
destructive now the dark the thing is I
destructive now the dark the thing is I have a confession to make I’m really
have a confession to make I’m really
have a confession to make I’m really kind of into dysfunctional patterns and
kind of into dysfunctional patterns and
kind of into dysfunctional patterns and functional patterns I kind of like
functional patterns I kind of like
functional patterns I kind of like looking out for them and I think I found
looking out for them and I think I found
looking out for them and I think I found one here you see the problem is that
one here you see the problem is that
one here you see the problem is that when we place core values of survival of
when we place core values of survival of
when we place core values of survival of the fittest individualism and
the fittest individualism and
the fittest individualism and materialism over and beyond other values
materialism over and beyond other values
materialism over and beyond other values that Centre on connection and empathy
that Centre on connection and empathy
that Centre on connection and empathy what we are doing is we are encouraging
what we are doing is we are encouraging
what we are doing is we are encouraging the darker sides of human nature and so
the darker sides of human nature and so
the darker sides of human nature and so what then we are doing is creating an
what then we are doing is creating an
what then we are doing is creating an environment or a climate where we create
environment or a climate where we create
environment or a climate where we create perpetrators and we create victims and
perpetrators and we create victims and
perpetrators and we create victims and those that survive the system right
those that survive the system right
those that survive the system right I hope you like my diagram that’s
I hope you like my diagram that’s
I hope you like my diagram that’s homemade okay so yeah so then what
homemade okay so yeah so then what
homemade okay so yeah so then what happens is the disadvantaged within
happens is the disadvantaged within
happens is the disadvantaged within society tend to respond right they react
society tend to respond right they react
society tend to respond right they react all those that don’t quite fit in with
all those that don’t quite fit in with
all those that don’t quite fit in with this value system all those that can’t
this value system all those that can’t
this value system all those that can’t quite survive with this value system but
quite survive with this value system but
quite survive with this value system but then what do we go and do when they
then what do we go and do when they
then what do we go and do when they respond or they react well we
respond or they react well we
respond or they react well we incarcerate we medicate or we segregate
incarcerate we medicate or we segregate
incarcerate we medicate or we segregate but that’s always going to be a
but that’s always going to be a
but that’s always going to be a short-term solution because we’re not
short-term solution because we’re not
short-term solution because we’re not addressing the underlying problems of
addressing the underlying problems of
addressing the underlying problems of why this happens in the first place
why this happens in the first place
why this happens in the first place now the thing is we have to realize that
now the thing is we have to realize that
now the thing is we have to realize that individual psychological treatment is it
individual psychological treatment is it
individual psychological treatment is it also going to be much help in this
also going to be much help in this
also going to be much help in this scenario because it’s a bigger situation
scenario because it’s a bigger situation
scenario because it’s a bigger situation and so we really need to think of ways
and so we really need to think of ways
and so we really need to think of ways we can improve the psychological and
we can improve the psychological and
we can improve the psychological and social well-being of entire societies
social well-being of entire societies
social well-being of entire societies now I’m kind of becoming quite
now I’m kind of becoming quite
now I’m kind of becoming quite self-conscious that I’m sounding really
self-conscious that I’m sounding really
self-conscious that I’m sounding really like a pessimistic psychologist to you
like a pessimistic psychologist to you
like a pessimistic psychologist to you all someone glass half empty and that’s
all someone glass half empty and that’s
all someone glass half empty and that’s never a good look for a psycho it’s but
never a good look for a psycho it’s but
never a good look for a psycho it’s but I want to reassure you that you know I
I want to reassure you that you know I
I want to reassure you that you know I can see we’ve come a long way in the
can see we’ve come a long way in the
can see we’ve come a long way in the past century
past century
past century I’m not saying everything is bad there
I’m not saying everything is bad there
I’m not saying everything is bad there has been lots of developments and life
has been lots of developments and life
has been lots of developments and life on Earth has really improved for many
on Earth has really improved for many
on Earth has really improved for many people in many ways but I think even
people in many ways but I think even
people in many ways but I think even though the dark side of human nature
though the dark side of human nature
though the dark side of human nature represents just a fraction of the human
represents just a fraction of the human
represents just a fraction of the human story the thing is it still demands our
story the thing is it still demands our
story the thing is it still demands our attention because ultimately I believe
attention because ultimately I believe
attention because ultimately I believe it’s a threat that is slowly destroying
it’s a threat that is slowly destroying
it’s a threat that is slowly destroying us from within
so for my doctoral research I thought
so for my doctoral research I thought yeah I want to go and try and address
yeah I want to go and try and address
yeah I want to go and try and address this dysfunctional pattern I want to
this dysfunctional pattern I want to
this dysfunctional pattern I want to offer some solutions to this pattern and
offer some solutions to this pattern and
offer some solutions to this pattern and it was a bit of a tall order but I kind
it was a bit of a tall order but I kind
it was a bit of a tall order but I kind of you know when for all of the students
of you know when for all of the students
of you know when for all of the students out there when you start something you
out there when you start something you
out there when you start something you think it’s great and then you go forth
think it’s great and then you go forth
think it’s great and then you go forth anything this is big this is big but
anything this is big this is big but
anything this is big this is big but anyway I started so I went you know
anyway I started so I went you know
anyway I started so I went you know forward with it and the place I started
forward with it and the place I started
forward with it and the place I started with was with connection and ultimately
with was with connection and ultimately
with was with connection and ultimately you know meaningful connections with
you know meaningful connections with
you know meaningful connections with each other is what makes our life
each other is what makes our life
each other is what makes our life worthwhile it improves the quality of
worthwhile it improves the quality of
worthwhile it improves the quality of our life and so I ask myself how can I
our life and so I ask myself how can I
our life and so I ask myself how can I help people connect not just with each
help people connect not just with each
help people connect not just with each other but also with the world around
other but also with the world around
other but also with the world around them so I’ve always been fascinated with
them so I’ve always been fascinated with
them so I’ve always been fascinated with the highest states of consciousness as
the highest states of consciousness as
the highest states of consciousness as well as ideas around you know
well as ideas around you know
well as ideas around you know psychological growth as I’m sure all of
psychological growth as I’m sure all of
psychological growth as I’m sure all of you are and one day when I was in my
you are and one day when I was in my
you are and one day when I was in my dark student room with a big pink
dark student room with a big pink
dark student room with a big pink highlighter pen highlighting absolutely
highlighter pen highlighting absolutely
highlighter pen highlighting absolutely everything no bra Ron had brushed my
everything no bra Ron had brushed my
everything no bra Ron had brushed my teeth for a year I I basically came
teeth for a year I I basically came
teeth for a year I I basically came across the concept of the overview
across the concept of the overview
across the concept of the overview effect now the overview effect is all
effect now the overview effect is all
effect now the overview effect is all inducing experience of seeing firsthand
inducing experience of seeing firsthand
inducing experience of seeing firsthand planet Earth from space and many space
planet Earth from space and many space
planet Earth from space and many space travelers report that national
travelers report that national
travelers report that national boundaries vanish and the conflicts that
boundaries vanish and the conflicts that
boundaries vanish and the conflicts that divide us become much less important
divide us become much less important
divide us become much less important they experience a normal almost
they experience a normal almost
they experience a normal almost immediate realization that we live on
immediate realization that we live on
immediate realization that we live on this fragile Oasis called planet Earth
this fragile Oasis called planet Earth
this fragile Oasis called planet Earth and that we are all part of this much
and that we are all part of this much
and that we are all part of this much larger interconnected system they come
larger interconnected system they come
larger interconnected system they come back or many of them come back from this
back or many of them come back from this
back or many of them come back from this experience with either a renewed sense
experience with either a renewed sense
experience with either a renewed sense of purpose to protect this pale blue dot
of purpose to protect this pale blue dot
of purpose to protect this pale blue dot that we live in live on and as well as
that we live in live on and as well as
that we live in live on and as well as or a new sense of purpose for some of
or a new sense of purpose for some of
or a new sense of purpose for some of them
now my doctoral research took five very
now my doctoral research took five very long years I aged quite substantially as
long years I aged quite substantially as
long years I aged quite substantially as a result there were ups there were downs
a result there were ups there were downs
a result there were ups there were downs lots of breakdown but actually what
lots of breakdown but actually what
lots of breakdown but actually what happened was at the end of the research
happened was at the end of the research
happened was at the end of the research what and after sort of I’d recovered
what and after sort of I’d recovered
what and after sort of I’d recovered what I realized was that the topic and
what I realized was that the topic and
what I realized was that the topic and the process had fundamentally changed me
the process had fundamentally changed me
the process had fundamentally changed me and the way that I connect with the
and the way that I connect with the
and the way that I connect with the world that I live in and really today I
world that I live in and really today I
world that I live in and really today I want to share with you just a little bit
want to share with you just a little bit
want to share with you just a little bit and some clips of the stories and hope
and some clips of the stories and hope
and some clips of the stories and hope that it inspires you as well now I spoke
that it inspires you as well now I spoke
that it inspires you as well now I spoke with seven astronauts but I really can
with seven astronauts but I really can
with seven astronauts but I really can only pick a few today so I picked a few
only pick a few today so I picked a few
only pick a few today so I picked a few key ones today we’ve got the lovely
key ones today we’ve got the lovely
key ones today we’ve got the lovely Joseph Allen in his spacesuit and Joseph
Joseph Allen in his spacesuit and Joseph
Joseph Allen in his spacesuit and Joseph basically was involved amazingly in the
basically was involved amazingly in the
basically was involved amazingly in the Apollo 15 mission and he logged 13 days
Apollo 15 mission and he logged 13 days
Apollo 15 mission and he logged 13 days in space and he’s now 78 he’s retired
in space and he’s now 78 he’s retired
in space and he’s now 78 he’s retired and of course he found the experience
and of course he found the experience
and of course he found the experience absolutely awe-inspiring and
absolutely awe-inspiring and
absolutely awe-inspiring and breathtaking and all of that but for me
breathtaking and all of that but for me
breathtaking and all of that but for me what stood out in our conversations and
what stood out in our conversations and
what stood out in our conversations and there were many moments he said to me
there were many moments he said to me
there were many moments he said to me when when I was he basically has
when when I was he basically has
when when I was he basically has reoccurring dreams that still continue
reoccurring dreams that still continue
reoccurring dreams that still continue to this day and that’s quite a long time
to this day and that’s quite a long time
to this day and that’s quite a long time to have reoccurring dreams of planet
to have reoccurring dreams of planet
to have reoccurring dreams of planet Earth from space and these dreams bring
Earth from space and these dreams bring
Earth from space and these dreams bring him immense pleasure and joy and this
him immense pleasure and joy and this
him immense pleasure and joy and this guy is a scientist you know logic and
guy is a scientist you know logic and
guy is a scientist you know logic and reason you know govern him and rule or
reason you know govern him and rule or
reason you know govern him and rule or ruled him and one of the many profound
ruled him and one of the many profound
ruled him and one of the many profound things a quote that I’d like to read
things a quote that I’d like to read
things a quote that I’d like to read from our conversation that he said to me
from our conversation that he said to me
from our conversation that he said to me was earth just takes your breath away
was earth just takes your breath away
was earth just takes your breath away and you just can’t take your eyes off
and you just can’t take your eyes off
and you just can’t take your eyes off earth and you could be in a gondola in
earth and you could be in a gondola in
earth and you could be in a gondola in the sky and just having the earth
the sky and just having the earth
the sky and just having the earth turning for your viewing pleasure I
turning for your viewing pleasure I
turning for your viewing pleasure I spoke with the lovely
spoke with the lovely
spoke with the lovely Ronald Garin as well Ronald Garen’s 54
Ronald Garin as well Ronald Garen’s 54
Ronald Garin as well Ronald Garen’s 54 and he’s also a retired NASA astronaut
and he’s also a retired NASA astronaut
and he’s also a retired NASA astronaut and he logged 178 days in total in space
and he logged 178 days in total in space
and he logged 178 days in total in space and he was a former fighter pilot now
and he was a former fighter pilot now
and he was a former fighter pilot now for Ronald again or you know all the
for Ronald again or you know all the
for Ronald again or you know all the usual stuff that he came away with you
usual stuff that he came away with you
usual stuff that he came away with you know the experience was or inducing but
know the experience was or inducing but
know the experience was or inducing but he basically said to me that when he
he basically said to me that when he
he basically said to me that when he returned he realized that the meaning of
returned he realized that the meaning of
returned he realized that the meaning of life was love and connection so pretty
life was love and connection so pretty
life was love and connection so pretty pretty huge for a former fighter pilot
pretty huge for a former fighter pilot
pretty huge for a former fighter pilot to say those things and finally actually
to say those things and finally actually
to say those things and finally actually sorry I’m going to read a quote from
sorry I’m going to read a quote from
sorry I’m going to read a quote from Ronald he a really sort of poignant
Ronald he a really sort of poignant
Ronald he a really sort of poignant thing he said to me was the earth is
thing he said to me was the earth is
thing he said to me was the earth is constantly changing the colors the
constantly changing the colors the
constantly changing the colors the terrain the shadows everything is
terrain the shadows everything is
terrain the shadows everything is changing and all this motion and light
changing and all this motion and light
changing and all this motion and light really gives you a sense that we live on
really gives you a sense that we live on
really gives you a sense that we live on this living breathing organism and I
this living breathing organism and I
this living breathing organism and I spoke with Nicole Stott Nicole’s 54 and
spoke with Nicole Stott Nicole’s 54 and
spoke with Nicole Stott Nicole’s 54 and she served as a flight engineer on two
she served as a flight engineer on two
she served as a flight engineer on two missions as she you know two missions
missions as she you know two missions
missions as she you know two missions and one of which was a long-duration
and one of which was a long-duration
and one of which was a long-duration mission that lasted 90 days and again
mission that lasted 90 days and again
mission that lasted 90 days and again Nicole found it the experience or
Nicole found it the experience or
Nicole found it the experience or inducing but she said she really could
inducing but she said she really could
inducing but she said she really could see that we were all part of this
see that we were all part of this
see that we were all part of this interdependent and interconnected web of
interdependent and interconnected web of
interdependent and interconnected web of life and she really wished that everyone
life and she really wished that everyone
life and she really wished that everyone would realize that and and she since
would realize that and and she since
would realize that and and she since she’s come back she’s been trying to
she’s come back she’s been trying to
she’s come back she’s been trying to relay this message and she said to me
relay this message and she said to me
relay this message and she said to me when you look at thunderstorms from
when you look at thunderstorms from
when you look at thunderstorms from space it’s like this little network of a
space it’s like this little network of a
space it’s like this little network of a nervous system and that little storm in
nervous system and that little storm in
nervous system and that little storm in Houston is just one piece of this whole
Houston is just one piece of this whole
Houston is just one piece of this whole string that’s going across the entire
string that’s going across the entire
string that’s going across the entire planet now I think this is really
planet now I think this is really
planet now I think this is really exciting and I hope that you guys do too
exciting and I hope that you guys do too
exciting and I hope that you guys do too because there virtually no other
because there virtually no other
because there virtually no other experiences that can have such
experiences that can have such
experiences that can have such transformative and growth enhancing
transformative and growth enhancing
transformative and growth enhancing effects
effects
effects and I think I really want to try to
and I think I really want to try to
and I think I really want to try to bring this experience down to all of us
bring this experience down to all of us
bring this experience down to all of us and one way we can perhaps do that is
and one way we can perhaps do that is
and one way we can perhaps do that is through virtual reality now virtual
through virtual reality now virtual
through virtual reality now virtual reality is an immersive technology and
reality is an immersive technology and
reality is an immersive technology and it’s a powerful storytelling tool and it
it’s a powerful storytelling tool and it
it’s a powerful storytelling tool and it can basically tap into human beings
can basically tap into human beings
can basically tap into human beings reservoir of positive emotions such as
reservoir of positive emotions such as
reservoir of positive emotions such as all and this is fascinating because we
all and this is fascinating because we
all and this is fascinating because we now know that such emotions can enhance
now know that such emotions can enhance
now know that such emotions can enhance psychological well-being and I think one
psychological well-being and I think one
psychological well-being and I think one of the most important reasons to use
of the most important reasons to use
of the most important reasons to use virtual reality is you know it’s it
virtual reality is you know it’s it
virtual reality is you know it’s it doesn’t seem fair somehow that perhaps
doesn’t seem fair somehow that perhaps
doesn’t seem fair somehow that perhaps the more financially better off people
the more financially better off people
the more financially better off people or the more wealthier people in society
or the more wealthier people in society
or the more wealthier people in society get to experience or inducing
get to experience or inducing
get to experience or inducing experiences such as you know going to
experiences such as you know going to
experiences such as you know going to well not yet going to space but going to
well not yet going to space but going to
well not yet going to space but going to space or Mount Everest
space or Mount Everest
space or Mount Everest any-any or inducing experience and so
any-any or inducing experience and so
any-any or inducing experience and so really one thing I wanted to do was to
really one thing I wanted to do was to
really one thing I wanted to do was to bridge this gap and bring this
bridge this gap and bring this
bridge this gap and bring this experience to everyone I’m sounding very
experience to everyone I’m sounding very
experience to everyone I’m sounding very optimistic and away with the fairies and
optimistic and away with the fairies and
optimistic and away with the fairies and I’m not saying that virtual reality is
I’m not saying that virtual reality is
I’m not saying that virtual reality is going to fix all of our problems and you
going to fix all of our problems and you
going to fix all of our problems and you know make everything better and we’re
know make everything better and we’re
know make everything better and we’re all going to live on this great you know
all going to live on this great you know
all going to live on this great you know Society but what I am saying that
Society but what I am saying that
Society but what I am saying that virtual reality can be implemented in
virtual reality can be implemented in
virtual reality can be implemented in lots of places
lots of places
lots of places and can serve as a tool that can inspire
and can serve as a tool that can inspire
and can serve as a tool that can inspire all of us it can serve as a tool that
all of us it can serve as a tool that
all of us it can serve as a tool that perhaps can shift our attention just a
perhaps can shift our attention just a
perhaps can shift our attention just a little away from individualistic and
little away from individualistic and
little away from individualistic and materialistic values to warns towards
materialistic values to warns towards
materialistic values to warns towards ones that are more centered around
ones that are more centered around
ones that are more centered around connection towards empathy and I think
connection towards empathy and I think
connection towards empathy and I think this can only be a good thing but I
this can only be a good thing but I
this can only be a good thing but I think more importantly virtual reality
think more importantly virtual reality
think more importantly virtual reality might be able to be a tool that provides
might be able to be a tool that provides
might be able to be a tool that provides solace and comfort to those that really
solace and comfort to those that really
solace and comfort to those that really need it
need it
need it for example the marginalized the
for example the marginalized the
for example the marginalized the disillusioned the incarcerated
disillusioned the incarcerated
disillusioned the incarcerated and perhaps for those going through
and perhaps for those going through
and perhaps for those going through end-of-life thank you
end-of-life thank you
end-of-life thank you [Applause]
”
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