I went back to Africa this time exploration had taken on a different
exploration had taken on a different
exploration had taken on a different different modality here we were going to
different modality here we were going to
different modality here we were going to explore the upper headwaters of the
explore the upper headwaters of the
explore the upper headwaters of the Okavango the quita liver catchment that
Okavango the quita liver catchment that
Okavango the quita liver catchment that flows out of the Angolan highlands Steve
flows out of the Angolan highlands Steve
flows out of the Angolan highlands Steve boys and other ng Explorer took us to
boys and other ng Explorer took us to
boys and other ng Explorer took us to the Angolan Highlands after basically 30
the Angolan Highlands after basically 30
the Angolan Highlands after basically 30 years of civil war 15 years of peace at
years of civil war 15 years of peace at
years of civil war 15 years of peace at this point to study this unexplored
this point to study this unexplored
this point to study this unexplored River catchment one of the reasons it’s
River catchment one of the reasons it’s
River catchment one of the reasons it’s still unexplored is because after Wars
still unexplored is because after Wars
still unexplored is because after Wars there are there are remnants and
there are there are remnants and
there are there are remnants and landmines are one of those so what
landmines are one of those so what
landmines are one of those so what happens here is that these areas are
happens here is that these areas are
happens here is that these areas are kept off-limits by the land mines is a
kept off-limits by the land mines is a
kept off-limits by the land mines is a very tragic catch-22 and as soon as the
very tragic catch-22 and as soon as the
very tragic catch-22 and as soon as the land mines are cleared people move in
land mines are cleared people move in
land mines are cleared people move in immediately right and the first thing
immediately right and the first thing
immediately right and the first thing they do is they cut down all the trees
they do is they cut down all the trees
they do is they cut down all the trees and when they cut down all the trees
and when they cut down all the trees
and when they cut down all the trees they use that for charcoal then they
they use that for charcoal then they
they use that for charcoal then they plant cassava which lasts about three
plant cassava which lasts about three
plant cassava which lasts about three years maybe and then you’ve got it
years maybe and then you’ve got it
years maybe and then you’ve got it basically a dead plot of land so you’re
basically a dead plot of land so you’re
basically a dead plot of land so you’re left between well do we do we leave the
left between well do we do we leave the
left between well do we do we leave the landmines in of course you can’t do that
landmines in of course you can’t do that
landmines in of course you can’t do that but as soon as you do it you look at
but as soon as you do it you look at
but as soon as you do it you look at massive deforestation and that’s
massive deforestation and that’s
massive deforestation and that’s happening all the time there’s no
happening all the time there’s no
happening all the time there’s no clear-cut answer this is the headwaters
clear-cut answer this is the headwaters
clear-cut answer this is the headwaters we were doing what’s called a source to
we were doing what’s called a source to
we were doing what’s called a source to sand because the Delta where the water
sand because the Delta where the water
sand because the Delta where the water of the Delta actually doesn’t flow to an
of the Delta actually doesn’t flow to an
of the Delta actually doesn’t flow to an ocean it’s very unusual every year the
ocean it’s very unusual every year the
ocean it’s very unusual every year the Delta itself in Botswana floods with
Delta itself in Botswana floods with
Delta itself in Botswana floods with 1111 cubic kilometers of water it’s the
1111 cubic kilometers of water it’s the
1111 cubic kilometers of water it’s the beating heart of southern Africa when it
beating heart of southern Africa when it
beating heart of southern Africa when it floods all the migrations come in when
floods all the migrations come in when
floods all the migrations come in when it dries up disperse and it’s very
it dries up disperse and it’s very
it dries up disperse and it’s very important for southern Africa so this is
important for southern Africa so this is
important for southern Africa so this is the source the idea was to put our
the source the idea was to put our
the source the idea was to put our mokoros or dugout canoes on that river
mokoros or dugout canoes on that river
mokoros or dugout canoes on that river flowing out of the bottom and float the
flowing out of the bottom and float the
flowing out of the bottom and float the entire length nam there was not enough
entire length nam there was not enough
entire length nam there was not enough water to float and that is it was good
water to float and that is it was good
water to float and that is it was good for me at the time I was I was feeling
for me at the time I was I was feeling
for me at the time I was I was feeling so much anger and pain and confusion I
so much anger and pain and confusion I
so much anger and pain and confusion I just get in the water with crocodiles
just get in the water with crocodiles
just get in the water with crocodiles and just start chopping it’s tough you
and just start chopping it’s tough you
and just start chopping it’s tough you know people like quarry don’t chop at
know people like quarry don’t chop at
know people like quarry don’t chop at that you’re going upstream I’m like oh
that you’re going upstream I’m like oh
that you’re going upstream I’m like oh okay
okay
okay turn around
turn around
turn around anyway you know we had this opportunity
anyway you know we had this opportunity
anyway you know we had this opportunity to finally put the mokoros in the water
to finally put the mokoros in the water
to finally put the mokoros in the water and float them and this is what it
and float them and this is what it
and float them and this is what it looked like in those upper regions you
looked like in those upper regions you
looked like in those upper regions you can see the macaw rose down on the
can see the macaw rose down on the
can see the macaw rose down on the bottom of the frame this crystal water
bottom of the frame this crystal water
bottom of the frame this crystal water but it was slow going on the right side
but it was slow going on the right side
but it was slow going on the right side here as a burn section on the left is a
here as a burn section on the left is a
here as a burn section on the left is a healthy section the right side is where
healthy section the right side is where
healthy section the right side is where people have come in and burned it down
people have come in and burned it down
people have come in and burned it down to flush game and hopefully regenerate
to flush game and hopefully regenerate
to flush game and hopefully regenerate unfortunately all that does is it
unfortunately all that does is it
unfortunately all that does is it destroys the root structure and when it
destroys the root structure and when it
destroys the root structure and when it rains it pushes more sand into the river
rains it pushes more sand into the river
rains it pushes more sand into the river destroying the flow we were also looking
destroying the flow we were also looking
destroying the flow we were also looking at these huge blockages it was drudgery
at these huge blockages it was drudgery
at these huge blockages it was drudgery I was cutting through these things we I
I was cutting through these things we I
I was cutting through these things we I mean we’re in the water with crocodiles
mean we’re in the water with crocodiles
mean we’re in the water with crocodiles or you know snakes blisters heatstroke
or you know snakes blisters heatstroke
or you know snakes blisters heatstroke all of the things that make exploration
all of the things that make exploration
all of the things that make exploration really not fun at all and this is days
really not fun at all and this is days
really not fun at all and this is days upon days and why do you do this that’s
upon days and why do you do this that’s
upon days and why do you do this that’s what that becomes the question and the
what that becomes the question and the
what that becomes the question and the answer is that were just I mean you have
answer is that were just I mean you have
answer is that were just I mean you have to do it we have to understand these
to do it we have to understand these
to do it we have to understand these landscapes because so many people and
landscapes because so many people and
landscapes because so many people and animals and plants are connected to them
animals and plants are connected to them
animals and plants are connected to them we’re all connected right we have to
we’re all connected right we have to
we’re all connected right we have to care for each other so exploration
care for each other so exploration
care for each other so exploration becomes about showing why it’s important
becomes about showing why it’s important
becomes about showing why it’s important what we found six new to science species
what we found six new to science species
what we found six new to science species of fishes dozens of new flora reptiles
of fishes dozens of new flora reptiles
of fishes dozens of new flora reptiles we were creating a holistic story of the
we were creating a holistic story of the
we were creating a holistic story of the river catchment and we found the most
river catchment and we found the most
river catchment and we found the most biodiverse unexplored corridor on earth
biodiverse unexplored corridor on earth
biodiverse unexplored corridor on earth these were the first people that didn’t
these were the first people that didn’t
these were the first people that didn’t run from us which makes sense why would
run from us which makes sense why would
run from us which makes sense why would you not run from 12 white dudes on the
you not run from 12 white dudes on the
you not run from 12 white dudes on the chorus not not not a good sight to see
chorus not not not a good sight to see
chorus not not not a good sight to see but these people were concerned they
but these people were concerned they
but these people were concerned they were concerned that the government
were concerned that the government
were concerned that the government didn’t know they were there and quite
didn’t know they were there and quite
didn’t know they were there and quite quite rightly so the government didn’t
quite rightly so the government didn’t
quite rightly so the government didn’t know they were there the government
know they were there the government
know they were there the government hadn’t been there in 40 years the last
hadn’t been there in 40 years the last
hadn’t been there in 40 years the last time with soldiers passing through and
time with soldiers passing through and
time with soldiers passing through and what I started to realize was that their
what I started to realize was that their
what I started to realize was that their concerns in the bush were no different
concerns in the bush were no different
concerns in the bush were no different that the concerns of the people in the
that the concerns of the people in the
that the concerns of the people in the Wanda the capital city this is a very
Wanda the capital city this is a very
Wanda the capital city this is a very oily and there is enough money to create
oily and there is enough money to create
oily and there is enough money to create a collective sort of well-being in this
a collective sort of well-being in this
a collective sort of well-being in this country but everybody’s concerned about
country but everybody’s concerned about
country but everybody’s concerned about their own well-being because the country
their own well-being because the country
their own well-being because the country itself is
itself is
itself is concerned about resources so as the oil
concerned about resources so as the oil
concerned about resources so as the oil prices you know if the oil crunch
prices you know if the oil crunch
prices you know if the oil crunch happens water becomes sort of a focus
happens water becomes sort of a focus
happens water becomes sort of a focus because it can be used for all sorts of
because it can be used for all sorts of
because it can be used for all sorts of things hydroelectricity
things hydroelectricity
things hydroelectricity resource or mineral extraction there’s
resource or mineral extraction there’s
resource or mineral extraction there’s all sorts of things that this water can
all sorts of things that this water can
all sorts of things that this water can be used for and everybody’s concerns are
be used for and everybody’s concerns are
be used for and everybody’s concerns are the same you know what happens to our
the same you know what happens to our
the same you know what happens to our water this was really a story about
water this was really a story about
water this was really a story about water not about just one River not just
water not about just one River not just
water not about just one River not just about the Delta at least not for me you
about the Delta at least not for me you
about the Delta at least not for me you know this is a story about what happens
know this is a story about what happens
know this is a story about what happens to the artisanal fishers of Fisheries
to the artisanal fishers of Fisheries
to the artisanal fishers of Fisheries after you know overfishing with
after you know overfishing with
after you know overfishing with industrial fishing what happens to
industrial fishing what happens to
industrial fishing what happens to subsys subsistence fishing what happens
subsys subsistence fishing what happens
subsys subsistence fishing what happens when governments think first of
when governments think first of
when governments think first of resources and how does that affect us
resources and how does that affect us
resources and how does that affect us downstream and it’s not just us it’s not
downstream and it’s not just us it’s not
downstream and it’s not just us it’s not just humans I mean we know that it’s big
just humans I mean we know that it’s big
just humans I mean we know that it’s big catch we have a big cat initiative it’s
catch we have a big cat initiative it’s
catch we have a big cat initiative it’s the water that feeds the big cats
the water that feeds the big cats
the water that feeds the big cats it’s the aquatic life it’s everything
it’s the aquatic life it’s everything
it’s the aquatic life it’s everything from the Crocs to the fishes to the
from the Crocs to the fishes to the
from the Crocs to the fishes to the algae to the grass right goes all the
algae to the grass right goes all the
algae to the grass right goes all the way down to the megafauna the elephants
way down to the megafauna the elephants
way down to the megafauna the elephants the hippos the rhinos the Buffalo all of
the hippos the rhinos the Buffalo all of
the hippos the rhinos the Buffalo all of it all the way down to the absolute
it all the way down to the absolute
it all the way down to the absolute tiniest the termites all of this is this
tiniest the termites all of this is this
tiniest the termites all of this is this interconnected web and the story doesn’t
interconnected web and the story doesn’t
interconnected web and the story doesn’t stop and start with one system it
stop and start with one system it
stop and start with one system it expands beyond it and where do we fit in
expands beyond it and where do we fit in
expands beyond it and where do we fit in in there how does the human element come
in there how does the human element come
in there how does the human element come to play because these people the sand
to play because these people the sand
to play because these people the sand people don’t exist anymore this is for
people don’t exist anymore this is for
people don’t exist anymore this is for tourism they dress up you know show
tourism they dress up you know show
tourism they dress up you know show tourists what it used to be like in fact
tourists what it used to be like in fact
tourists what it used to be like in fact Chris John’s who’s sitting right here
Chris John’s who’s sitting right here
Chris John’s who’s sitting right here did one of the last stories when this
did one of the last stories when this
did one of the last stories when this was actually genuine and so it stopped
was actually genuine and so it stopped
was actually genuine and so it stopped since then so what’s happened you know I
since then so what’s happened you know I
since then so what’s happened you know I the only thing I could think of was a
the only thing I could think of was a
the only thing I could think of was a Norman MacLean quote and it’s very
Norman MacLean quote and it’s very
Norman MacLean quote and it’s very simple eventually all things merge into
simple eventually all things merge into
simple eventually all things merge into one and river runs through it and I
one and river runs through it and I
one and river runs through it and I think that’s very poignant when I move
think that’s very poignant when I move
think that’s very poignant when I move forward here this is the last sad
forward here this is the last sad
forward here this is the last sad picture of my wife I’m going to show you
picture of my wife I’m going to show you
picture of my wife I’m going to show you but I want to just talk briefly about it
but I want to just talk briefly about it
but I want to just talk briefly about it it was funny in all of my assignments
it was funny in all of my assignments
it was funny in all of my assignments it’s only when I totally give myself up
it’s only when I totally give myself up
it’s only when I totally give myself up to it
to it
to it when I totally give myself over to it
when I totally give myself over to it
when I totally give myself over to it when I surrender do I actually start to
when I surrender do I actually start to
when I surrender do I actually start to see and it was the same with my marriage
see and it was the same with my marriage
see and it was the same with my marriage only when I totally surrendered
only when I totally surrendered
only when I totally surrendered only when she totally surrender did we
only when she totally surrender did we
only when she totally surrender did we actually see each other for who we were
actually see each other for who we were
actually see each other for who we were but by that time it was too late
but by that time it was too late
but by that time it was too late we burned things down and hopefully they
we burned things down and hopefully they
we burned things down and hopefully they regrow it was serendipitous that this
regrow it was serendipitous that this
regrow it was serendipitous that this last spring my sponsor Eddie Bauer asked
last spring my sponsor Eddie Bauer asked
last spring my sponsor Eddie Bauer asked if I would like to return to the
if I would like to return to the
if I would like to return to the mountains the place where this fracture
mountains the place where this fracture
mountains the place where this fracture started the place where the Avalanche
started the place where the Avalanche
started the place where the Avalanche had taken my life and done that with it
had taken my life and done that with it
had taken my life and done that with it and I said of course I’d love to go back
and I said of course I’d love to go back
and I said of course I’d love to go back to the mountains where are we going
to the mountains where are we going
to the mountains where are we going Everest okay that sounds like a plan I’m
Everest okay that sounds like a plan I’m
Everest okay that sounds like a plan I’m excited to go back and try to reconcile
excited to go back and try to reconcile
excited to go back and try to reconcile all of this although I wasn’t really
all of this although I wasn’t really
all of this although I wasn’t really thinking that at the time but I knew I
thinking that at the time but I knew I
thinking that at the time but I knew I had to go back I knew I had to go back
had to go back I knew I had to go back
had to go back I knew I had to go back to the mountains and I know trust me I
to the mountains and I know trust me I
to the mountains and I know trust me I know
know
know it’s self-indulgent for you know me a
it’s self-indulgent for you know me a
it’s self-indulgent for you know me a white American male to go back to
white American male to go back to
white American male to go back to Everest to try to figure my doubt like
Everest to try to figure my doubt like
Everest to try to figure my doubt like come on but stick with me don’t walk out
come on but stick with me don’t walk out
come on but stick with me don’t walk out yet I went back with a guy named Adrian
yet I went back with a guy named Adrian
yet I went back with a guy named Adrian Ballinger and the goal was to try to
Ballinger and the goal was to try to
Ballinger and the goal was to try to climb Everest without oxygen I didn’t go
climb Everest without oxygen I didn’t go
climb Everest without oxygen I didn’t go as a photographer we were using as Alice
as a photographer we were using as Alice
as a photographer we were using as Alice mentioned a snapchat we were doing
mentioned a snapchat we were doing
mentioned a snapchat we were doing something called Everest no filter and
something called Everest no filter and
something called Everest no filter and we were bringing people along up Everest
we were bringing people along up Everest
we were bringing people along up Everest as we climbed it and we had classrooms
as we climbed it and we had classrooms
as we climbed it and we had classrooms checking in with us talking about you
checking in with us talking about you
checking in with us talking about you know physiology and altitude and
know physiology and altitude and
know physiology and altitude and geography it was a very very cool
geography it was a very very cool
geography it was a very very cool experience to watch it sort of grow
experience to watch it sort of grow
experience to watch it sort of grow organically we just wanted to take
organically we just wanted to take
organically we just wanted to take people along and show what what it was
people along and show what what it was
people along and show what what it was like to actually be on a real expedition
like to actually be on a real expedition
like to actually be on a real expedition so I took very few photos this is one
so I took very few photos this is one
so I took very few photos this is one that I actually one of the ones that I
that I actually one of the ones that I
that I actually one of the ones that I really loved and there aren’t that many
really loved and there aren’t that many
really loved and there aren’t that many in fact I’m only going to show you four
in fact I’m only going to show you four
in fact I’m only going to show you four this is the last one this is it twenty
this is the last one this is it twenty
this is the last one this is it twenty eight thousand nine hundred and fifty
eight thousand nine hundred and fifty
eight thousand nine hundred and fifty feet so just about
feet so just about
feet so just about hundred feet vertical feet below Everest
hundred feet vertical feet below Everest
hundred feet vertical feet below Everest summit on May 24th 2016 and Adrienne had
summit on May 24th 2016 and Adrienne had
summit on May 24th 2016 and Adrienne had turned around much earlier in the
turned around much earlier in the
turned around much earlier in the morning and I was alone I just passed
morning and I was alone I just passed
morning and I was alone I just passed these guys that’s right I passed people
these guys that’s right I passed people
these guys that’s right I passed people without oxygen that’s cool sounds I’m
without oxygen that’s cool sounds I’m
without oxygen that’s cool sounds I’m not arrogant what I just passed them and
not arrogant what I just passed them and
not arrogant what I just passed them and and I turned around and I and I looked
and I turned around and I and I looked
and I turned around and I and I looked back and I knew I was going to be on the
back and I knew I was going to be on the
back and I knew I was going to be on the summit alone which is very rare
summit alone which is very rare
summit alone which is very rare vanishingly rare for Everest these days
vanishingly rare for Everest these days
vanishingly rare for Everest these days I I knew I was going to be up there by
I I knew I was going to be up there by
I I knew I was going to be up there by myself and when I got there I cried for
myself and when I got there I cried for
myself and when I got there I cried for a second because I’m a crier and I stood
a second because I’m a crier and I stood
a second because I’m a crier and I stood up as tall as I could and I just reached
up as tall as I could and I just reached
up as tall as I could and I just reached up into space because that’s as close as
up into space because that’s as close as
up into space because that’s as close as I’m ever going to get I’m not going to
I’m ever going to get I’m not going to
I’m ever going to get I’m not going to go back and be an astronaut and at the
go back and be an astronaut and at the
go back and be an astronaut and at the time I thought you know maybe this is
time I thought you know maybe this is
time I thought you know maybe this is the punctuation maybe this is the end
the punctuation maybe this is the end
the punctuation maybe this is the end maybe this is the end of the darkness
maybe this is the end of the darkness
maybe this is the end of the darkness I’ve climbed my way out I was the
I’ve climbed my way out I was the
I’ve climbed my way out I was the Phoenix Rising I have now proven that I
Phoenix Rising I have now proven that I
Phoenix Rising I have now proven that I can overcome anything and and that is
can overcome anything and and that is
can overcome anything and and that is you know I’m I’m good done you know like
you know I’m I’m good done you know like
you know I’m I’m good done you know like put a stamp on it send it away and what
put a stamp on it send it away and what
put a stamp on it send it away and what actually happened and I didn’t know it
actually happened and I didn’t know it
actually happened and I didn’t know it at the time was that was the point where
at the time was that was the point where
at the time was that was the point where my biggest lesson was to come that I can
my biggest lesson was to come that I can
my biggest lesson was to come that I can run from everything and I’m good at it
run from everything and I’m good at it
run from everything and I’m good at it and we all are
and we all are
and we all are I can run as hard and as far and as fast
I can run as hard and as far and as fast
I can run as hard and as far and as fast from the things my demons that bother me
from the things my demons that bother me
from the things my demons that bother me that eat me inside I can go to the top
that eat me inside I can go to the top
that eat me inside I can go to the top of the world and they’re right there
of the world and they’re right there
of the world and they’re right there with me and that is a collective human
with me and that is a collective human
with me and that is a collective human experience we cannot run from our issues
experience we cannot run from our issues
experience we cannot run from our issues ever the point is to turn into them and
ever the point is to turn into them and
ever the point is to turn into them and face them that’s what we have to do you
face them that’s what we have to do you
face them that’s what we have to do you can go there and they’re still right
can go there and they’re still right
can go there and they’re still right there with you
there with you
there with you so you know my life has never been
so you know my life has never been
so you know my life has never been normal
normal
normal I started in these mountains and that’s
I started in these mountains and that’s
I started in these mountains and that’s what brought me up I’m not a
what brought me up I’m not a
what brought me up I’m not a particularly talented human but I’m
particularly talented human but I’m
particularly talented human but I’m willing to try and keep going
willing to try and keep going
willing to try and keep going it’s hard work it’s not about I take out
it’s hard work it’s not about I take out
it’s hard work it’s not about I take out a camera and I
a camera and I
a camera and I a perfect picture it doesn’t work that
a perfect picture it doesn’t work that
a perfect picture it doesn’t work that way Chris knows that better than anybody
way Chris knows that better than anybody
way Chris knows that better than anybody it is one of the hardest things that you
it is one of the hardest things that you
it is one of the hardest things that you can do I started with the mountains and
can do I started with the mountains and
can do I started with the mountains and the mountains brought me to adventure
the mountains brought me to adventure
the mountains brought me to adventure and adventure and exploration started to
and adventure and exploration started to
and adventure and exploration started to change the way I saw the world I didn’t
change the way I saw the world I didn’t
change the way I saw the world I didn’t care as much about this as I cared about
care as much about this as I cared about
care as much about this as I cared about this what’s happening to the planet so
this what’s happening to the planet so
this what’s happening to the planet so this exploration gave me a different
this exploration gave me a different
this exploration gave me a different lens through which to view it you know
lens through which to view it you know
lens through which to view it you know and what I’ve learned from this is that
and what I’ve learned from this is that
and what I’ve learned from this is that we’re looking for solutions humans are
we’re looking for solutions humans are
we’re looking for solutions humans are looking for solutions we want answers to
looking for solutions we want answers to
looking for solutions we want answers to everything
everything
everything how do we stop this how do we stop that
how do we stop this how do we stop that
how do we stop this how do we stop that what do we do what are the solutions
what do we do what are the solutions
what do we do what are the solutions solutions for climate change you know
solutions for climate change you know
solutions for climate change you know and and know that those solutions are
and and know that those solutions are
and and know that those solutions are different than the solutions for the
different than the solutions for the
different than the solutions for the global corrosion of culture they’re very
global corrosion of culture they’re very
global corrosion of culture they’re very very different how do we solve that and
very different how do we solve that and
very different how do we solve that and those solutions are different than the
those solutions are different than the
those solutions are different than the ones we need for conflicts how do we
ones we need for conflicts how do we
ones we need for conflicts how do we deal with that and of course those
deal with that and of course those
deal with that and of course those solutions are very different than those
solutions are very different than those
solutions are very different than those that we need to help those who are
that we need to help those who are
that we need to help those who are affected by conflict former child
affected by conflict former child
affected by conflict former child soldiers areas like Aleppo how do we
soldiers areas like Aleppo how do we
soldiers areas like Aleppo how do we deal with that what are the solutions
there’s a lot of questions facing our
there’s a lot of questions facing our world right now
world right now
world right now and there aren’t any real clear answers
one thing that I believe is that we are
one thing that I believe is that we are all tied together and by all tied
all tied together and by all tied
all tied together and by all tied together I’m not talking about a hippy
together I’m not talking about a hippy
together I’m not talking about a hippy oneness of the world I’m talking about
oneness of the world I’m talking about
oneness of the world I’m talking about physically everything relies on
physically everything relies on
physically everything relies on everything else it really does in our
everything else it really does in our
everything else it really does in our day-to-day lives and we need to pay more
day-to-day lives and we need to pay more
day-to-day lives and we need to pay more attention to that and how do we honor
attention to that and how do we honor
attention to that and how do we honor that bond because we will find solutions
that bond because we will find solutions
that bond because we will find solutions we are very very good at finding
we are very very good at finding
we are very very good at finding solutions X what humans do we have very
solutions X what humans do we have very
solutions X what humans do we have very big brains and we put band-aids on
big brains and we put band-aids on
big brains and we put band-aids on things you know as a generalist my goal
things you know as a generalist my goal
things you know as a generalist my goal with my photography is not to focus on
with my photography is not to focus on
with my photography is not to focus on one thing I don’t want to be great at
one thing I don’t want to be great at
one thing I don’t want to be great at one thing I want to tell multiple
one thing I want to tell multiple
one thing I want to tell multiple stories
stories
stories different voices and lenses I want to
different voices and lenses I want to
different voices and lenses I want to step back I want to ask the question not
step back I want to ask the question not
step back I want to ask the question not how do we solve the problems we have how
how do we solve the problems we have how
how do we solve the problems we have how do we stop creating the problems right
do we stop creating the problems right
do we stop creating the problems right what’s the answer to that why do I get
what’s the answer to that why do I get
what’s the answer to that why do I get up here and talk about divorce and PTSD
up here and talk about divorce and PTSD
up here and talk about divorce and PTSD and infidelity and adventure and and you
and infidelity and adventure and and you
and infidelity and adventure and and you know and and I confuse the whole topic I
know and and I confuse the whole topic I
know and and I confuse the whole topic I mean I’ve talked about alcoholism I’ve
mean I’ve talked about alcoholism I’ve
mean I’ve talked about alcoholism I’ve talked about sustainability you guys are
talked about sustainability you guys are
talked about sustainability you guys are like what is the through-line I mean I
like what is the through-line I mean I
like what is the through-line I mean I get it dude but what is the through-line
get it dude but what is the through-line
get it dude but what is the through-line where are you going with this the
where are you going with this the
where are you going with this the through line is this we are the stewards
through line is this we are the stewards
through line is this we are the stewards and every single choice we make has a
and every single choice we make has a
and every single choice we make has a consequence every single one and that is
consequence every single one and that is
consequence every single one and that is very important to remember I’m 35 years
very important to remember I’m 35 years
very important to remember I’m 35 years old I don’t have the answers I can tell
old I don’t have the answers I can tell
old I don’t have the answers I can tell you to ride bikes I can tell you to eat
you to ride bikes I can tell you to eat
you to ride bikes I can tell you to eat less meat I can tell you to take shorter
less meat I can tell you to take shorter
less meat I can tell you to take shorter showers I can tell you to not use
showers I can tell you to not use
showers I can tell you to not use plastic bags don’t use straws you know
plastic bags don’t use straws you know
plastic bags don’t use straws you know buy a Prius whatever you can do you guys
buy a Prius whatever you can do you guys
buy a Prius whatever you can do you guys know that we do need initiatives like
know that we do need initiatives like
know that we do need initiatives like pristine seas we do need initiatives
pristine seas we do need initiatives
pristine seas we do need initiatives like big cats we do need to focus that
like big cats we do need to focus that
like big cats we do need to focus that but those honestly are band-aids on
but those honestly are band-aids on
but those honestly are band-aids on existing wounds so what is the virus and
existing wounds so what is the virus and
existing wounds so what is the virus and how do we how do we address that and
how do we how do we address that and
how do we how do we address that and honestly honestly I think the answer is
honestly honestly I think the answer is
honestly honestly I think the answer is much much simpler than we’re making it
much much simpler than we’re making it
much much simpler than we’re making it but I’m not audacious enough to say that
but I’m not audacious enough to say that
but I’m not audacious enough to say that so I’m going to let somebody else say it
so I’m going to let somebody else say it
so I’m going to let somebody else say it in different words he’s he’s a little
in different words he’s he’s a little
in different words he’s he’s a little smarter than me not much you might have
smarter than me not much you might have
smarter than me not much you might have heard of him his name is Carl Sagan
heard of him his name is Carl Sagan
heard of him his name is Carl Sagan we’re about you you know anyway that
we’re about you you know anyway that
we’re about you you know anyway that little dot there if you haven’t seen
little dot there if you haven’t seen
little dot there if you haven’t seen this before this photograph is called
this before this photograph is called
this before this photograph is called the pale blue dot and that dot and that
the pale blue dot and that dot and that
the pale blue dot and that dot and that Sunbeam is us that’s earth that was
Sunbeam is us that’s earth that was
Sunbeam is us that’s earth that was taken from 3.7 billion miles away in
taken from 3.7 billion miles away in
taken from 3.7 billion miles away in February 14 1990 and this is what Carl
February 14 1990 and this is what Carl
February 14 1990 and this is what Carl my buddy Carl had say
my buddy Carl had say
my buddy Carl had say this look again at that dot that’s here
this look again at that dot that’s here
this look again at that dot that’s here that’s home that’s us on it everyone you
that’s home that’s us on it everyone you
that’s home that’s us on it everyone you love everyone you know everyone you’ve
love everyone you know everyone you’ve
love everyone you know everyone you’ve ever heard of every human being who ever
ever heard of every human being who ever
ever heard of every human being who ever was lived out their lives the aggregate
was lived out their lives the aggregate
was lived out their lives the aggregate of our joy and suffering thousands of
of our joy and suffering thousands of
of our joy and suffering thousands of confident religions ideologies and
confident religions ideologies and
confident religions ideologies and economic doctrines every hunter and
economic doctrines every hunter and
economic doctrines every hunter and forager every hero and coward every
forager every hero and coward every
forager every hero and coward every creator and destroyer of civilization
creator and destroyer of civilization
creator and destroyer of civilization every King and peasant every young
every King and peasant every young
every King and peasant every young couple in love every mother and father
couple in love every mother and father
couple in love every mother and father hopeful child inventor and Explorer
hopeful child inventor and Explorer
hopeful child inventor and Explorer every teacher of morals every corrupt
every teacher of morals every corrupt
every teacher of morals every corrupt politician every superstar every Supreme
politician every superstar every Supreme
politician every superstar every Supreme Leader every saint and sinner in the
Leader every saint and sinner in the
Leader every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there on a
history of our species lived there on a
history of our species lived there on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam the
mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam the
mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam the earth is a very small stage in a vast
earth is a very small stage in a vast
earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena think of the endless
cosmic arena think of the endless
cosmic arena think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of
cruelties visited by the inhabitants of
cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely
one corner of this pixel on the scarcely
one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some
distinguishable inhabitants of some
distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner how frequent their
other corner how frequent their
other corner how frequent their misunderstandings how eager they are to
misunderstandings how eager they are to
misunderstandings how eager they are to kill one another how fervent their
kill one another how fervent their
kill one another how fervent their hatreds think of the rivers of blood
hatreds think of the rivers of blood
hatreds think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and
spilled by all those generals and
spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and triumph
emperors so that in glory and triumph
emperors so that in glory and triumph they could become the momentary masters
they could become the momentary masters
they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot our posturings
of a fraction of a dot our posturings
of a fraction of a dot our posturings our imagined self-importance the
our imagined self-importance the
our imagined self-importance the delusion that we have some privileged
delusion that we have some privileged
delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe are challenged
position in the universe are challenged
position in the universe are challenged by this point of pale light our planet
by this point of pale light our planet
by this point of pale light our planet is a lonely speck in the great
is a lonely speck in the great
is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark in our obscurity
enveloping cosmic dark in our obscurity
enveloping cosmic dark in our obscurity in all this vastness there is no hint
in all this vastness there is no hint
in all this vastness there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to
that help will come from elsewhere to
that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves the earth is the
save us from ourselves the earth is the
save us from ourselves the earth is the only world known so far to harbor life
only world known so far to harbor life
only world known so far to harbor life there is nowhere else at least in the
there is nowhere else at least in the
there is nowhere else at least in the near future to which our species could
near future to which our species could
near future to which our species could migrate
migrate
migrate visit yes settle not yet like it or not
visit yes settle not yet like it or not
visit yes settle not yet like it or not for the moment the earth is where we
for the moment the earth is where we
for the moment the earth is where we make our stand it has been said that
make our stand it has been said that
make our stand it has been said that astronomy is a humbling and
astronomy is a humbling and
astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience there is
character-building experience there is
character-building experience there is perhaps no better demonstration of the
perhaps no better demonstration of the
perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this
folly of human conceits than this
folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world to me it
distant image of our tiny world to me it
distant image of our tiny world to me it underscores our responsibility to deal
underscores our responsibility to deal
underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another
more kindly with one another
more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale
and to preserve and cherish the pale
and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot the only home we’ve ever known
blue dot the only home we’ve ever known
blue dot the only home we’ve ever known now think about that for a second
now think about that for a second
now think about that for a second Carl Sagan was pretty smart but he
Carl Sagan was pretty smart but he
Carl Sagan was pretty smart but he didn’t end with policy he didn’t end
didn’t end with policy he didn’t end
didn’t end with policy he didn’t end with carbon emissions he didn’t end with
with carbon emissions he didn’t end with
with carbon emissions he didn’t end with rainforests he didn’t end with any of
rainforests he didn’t end with any of
rainforests he didn’t end with any of that because those are the wounds that’s
that because those are the wounds that’s
that because those are the wounds that’s what’s happened he ended with kindness
what’s happened he ended with kindness
what’s happened he ended with kindness it’s the most simple thing because when
it’s the most simple thing because when
it’s the most simple thing because when we act kindly towards one another in
we act kindly towards one another in
we act kindly towards one another in this city especially right now we act
this city especially right now we act
this city especially right now we act kindly towards one another we hear each
kindly towards one another we hear each
kindly towards one another we hear each other we treat each other with respect
other we treat each other with respect
other we treat each other with respect we might not agree and when there are
we might not agree and when there are
we might not agree and when there are abuses we stand up for that but we treat
abuses we stand up for that but we treat
abuses we stand up for that but we treat each other with kindness and respect and
each other with kindness and respect and
each other with kindness and respect and the root of that dare I say it as a 35
the root of that dare I say it as a 35
the root of that dare I say it as a 35 year old man who’s done all sorts of
year old man who’s done all sorts of
year old man who’s done all sorts of horrible things the root of that is the
horrible things the root of that is the
horrible things the root of that is the one thing that makes us different as an
one thing that makes us different as an
one thing that makes us different as an animal it’s the single most important
animal it’s the single most important
animal it’s the single most important thing we do it’s unique to us and that
thing we do it’s unique to us and that
thing we do it’s unique to us and that is love that’s what we do and that in
is love that’s what we do and that in
is love that’s what we do and that in and of itself is where we start so
and of itself is where we start so
and of itself is where we start so without saying too much more I love you
without saying too much more I love you
without saying too much more I love you guys very much and thank you for sharing
guys very much and thank you for sharing
guys very much and thank you for sharing this with me
this with me
this with me [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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