on the screen you’ll note that in front of the two camels there’s a fellow and
of the two camels there’s a fellow and
of the two camels there’s a fellow and we have him with us in this embodied
we have him with us in this embodied
we have him with us in this embodied form Paul are you here I am indeed about
form Paul are you here I am indeed about
form Paul are you here I am indeed about your surroundings right now both
your surroundings right now both
your surroundings right now both immediate and the larger ones please
immediate and the larger ones please
immediate and the larger ones please I’ve been walking up through the radiant
I’ve been walking up through the radiant
I’ve been walking up through the radiant Peninsula for about thirteen or fourteen
Peninsula for about thirteen or fourteen
Peninsula for about thirteen or fourteen hundred miles they honestly don’t know
hundred miles they honestly don’t know
hundred miles they honestly don’t know in the pursuit of this idea that I think
in the pursuit of this idea that I think
in the pursuit of this idea that I think all of us on stage are after which is
all of us on stage are after which is
all of us on stage are after which is how to tell a better more original story
how to tell a better more original story
how to tell a better more original story especially in the age of the Internet
especially in the age of the Internet
especially in the age of the Internet when you think about whom you are
when you think about whom you are
when you think about whom you are writing to and what you want them to see
writing to and what you want them to see
writing to and what you want them to see how do you make that decision Paul you
how do you make that decision Paul you
how do you make that decision Paul you know I don’t have a audience in mind we
know I don’t have a audience in mind we
know I don’t have a audience in mind we are wired in mainly almost to to detect
are wired in mainly almost to to detect
are wired in mainly almost to to detect quality and storytelling we know a good
quality and storytelling we know a good
quality and storytelling we know a good story at a party we know a good story
story at a party we know a good story
story at a party we know a good story an anecdote shared on the subway there
an anecdote shared on the subway there
an anecdote shared on the subway there just something that that sets off
just something that that sets off
just something that that sets off certain neurons about great story and I
certain neurons about great story and I
certain neurons about great story and I don’t try to overanalyze it I just moved
don’t try to overanalyze it I just moved
don’t try to overanalyze it I just moved through the landscape to human to
through the landscape to human to
through the landscape to human to poverty walk these folks through the
poverty walk these folks through the
poverty walk these folks through the glimmer of a crazy idea to the actual
glimmer of a crazy idea to the actual
glimmer of a crazy idea to the actual writing assigning and writing of the
writing assigning and writing of the
writing assigning and writing of the story as quickly as you can so they get
story as quickly as you can so they get
story as quickly as you can so they get the process once there is the green
the process once there is the green
the process once there is the green light given to a particular project
light given to a particular project
light given to a particular project that’s when the real work really starts
that’s when the real work really starts
that’s when the real work really starts and I think one of the things that’s
and I think one of the things that’s
and I think one of the things that’s different about working as an editor at
different about working as an editor at
different about working as an editor at National Geographic compared to other
National Geographic compared to other
National Geographic compared to other places that I’ve been an editor is
places that I’ve been an editor is
places that I’ve been an editor is there’s a lot of upfront planning and so
there’s a lot of upfront planning and so
there’s a lot of upfront planning and so right away you are working with a story
right away you are working with a story
right away you are working with a story team a group of people who
team a group of people who
team a group of people who you have the text editor you have the
you have the text editor you have the
you have the text editor you have the writer you have a photo editor you have
writer you have a photo editor you have
writer you have a photo editor you have a photographer you have a graphics
a photographer you have a graphics
a photographer you have a graphics editor there’s a whole host of people
editor there’s a whole host of people
editor there’s a whole host of people who are involved with thinking very much
who are involved with thinking very much
who are involved with thinking very much upfront about how are we going to carry
upfront about how are we going to carry
upfront about how are we going to carry this story out well let’s give it let’s
this story out well let’s give it let’s
this story out well let’s give it let’s put it on the ground and give an example
put it on the ground and give an example
put it on the ground and give an example I sent qua Minh an email about two
I sent qua Minh an email about two
I sent qua Minh an email about two months ago and he wrote back right away
months ago and he wrote back right away
months ago and he wrote back right away and said I have kind of a spotty
and said I have kind of a spotty
and said I have kind of a spotty internet connection right now because
internet connection right now because
internet connection right now because I’m on a Russian ship in the Arctic let
I’m on a Russian ship in the Arctic let
I’m on a Russian ship in the Arctic let me see if I can get back to you since
me see if I can get back to you since
me see if I can get back to you since most of us including myself have never
most of us including myself have never
most of us including myself have never been sent by our bosses to go hang
been sent by our bosses to go hang
been sent by our bosses to go hang around on a Russian ship in the Arctic
around on a Russian ship in the Arctic
around on a Russian ship in the Arctic for a month how does that come to pass
for a month how does that come to pass
for a month how does that come to pass in the case of the Russian Arctic this
in the case of the Russian Arctic this
in the case of the Russian Arctic this was an expedition to a place called
was an expedition to a place called
was an expedition to a place called Franz Josef land it was put together by
Franz Josef land it was put together by
Franz Josef land it was put together by a wonderful scientist named Enrico Sala
a wonderful scientist named Enrico Sala
a wonderful scientist named Enrico Sala who runs an organization called pristine
who runs an organization called pristine
who runs an organization called pristine seas and he decided that his latest
seas and he decided that his latest
seas and he decided that his latest pristine seas expedition would be to
pristine seas expedition would be to
pristine seas expedition would be to this very very remote archipelago in the
this very very remote archipelago in the
this very very remote archipelago in the Russian Arctic the northernmost land
Russian Arctic the northernmost land
Russian Arctic the northernmost land masses of Eurasia filled with polar
masses of Eurasia filled with polar
masses of Eurasia filled with polar bears and walruses and seabirds and ice
bears and walruses and seabirds and ice
bears and walruses and seabirds and ice and rock and very little else
and rock and very little else
and rock and very little else and this man Olli asked me back in and I
and this man Olli asked me back in and I
and this man Olli asked me back in and I don’t know March April any interest in
don’t know March April any interest in
don’t know March April any interest in going to the Russian Arctic on this
going to the Russian Arctic on this
going to the Russian Arctic on this expedition
expedition
expedition my wife Betsy said as your friend I tell
my wife Betsy said as your friend I tell
my wife Betsy said as your friend I tell you you should do it as your wife I tell
you you should do it as your wife I tell
you you should do it as your wife I tell you I don’t like the idea of you being
you I don’t like the idea of you being
you I don’t like the idea of you being away for six and a half weeks and if
away for six and a half weeks and if
away for six and a half weeks and if they had offered it to me I would have
they had offered it to me I would have
they had offered it to me I would have already said yes
so I went but and I’m not I’m not saying
so I went but and I’m not I’m not saying it’s easy for there for the writer but
it’s easy for there for the writer but
it’s easy for there for the writer but under the best case or the easiest case
under the best case or the easiest case
under the best case or the easiest case scenario unlike Paul’s the writer jumps
scenario unlike Paul’s the writer jumps
scenario unlike Paul’s the writer jumps on a plane with with this plus a ziploc
on a plane with with this plus a ziploc
on a plane with with this plus a ziploc bag to put this in when it rains well
bag to put this in when it rains well
bag to put this in when it rains well that’s a kind of National Geographic
that’s a kind of National Geographic
that’s a kind of National Geographic story that involves one particular set
story that involves one particular set
story that involves one particular set of tremendously adventurous feelings and
of tremendously adventurous feelings and
of tremendously adventurous feelings and so on there’s another kind which Alma is
so on there’s another kind which Alma is
so on there’s another kind which Alma is especially good at which we also get
especially good at which we also get
especially good at which we also get which is the big vague we know there’s
which is the big vague we know there’s
which is the big vague we know there’s something cool here you figure out what
something cool here you figure out what
something cool here you figure out what it is kind of assignment how do you
it is kind of assignment how do you
it is kind of assignment how do you think about what kinds of stories are
think about what kinds of stories are
think about what kinds of stories are the ones that you want to tell and why
the ones that you want to tell and why
the ones that you want to tell and why tell these stories as a writer actually
tell these stories as a writer actually
tell these stories as a writer actually I like most of us here I think I’m
I like most of us here I think I’m
I like most of us here I think I’m particularly indebted at National
particularly indebted at National
particularly indebted at National Geographic to my editor because I think
Geographic to my editor because I think
Geographic to my editor because I think that Ollie is very good at just putting
that Ollie is very good at just putting
that Ollie is very good at just putting a word in my head he said I have just
a word in my head he said I have just
a word in my head he said I have just one word to say to you Alma and I said
one word to say to you Alma and I said
one word to say to you Alma and I said yeah Ollie he said
yeah Ollie he said
yeah Ollie he said Tongo and I said right he figures out a
Tongo and I said right he figures out a
Tongo and I said right he figures out a word that will set off something in my
word that will set off something in my
word that will set off something in my imagination because he’s familiar I
imagination because he’s familiar I
imagination because he’s familiar I guess with the way my mind works but
guess with the way my mind works but
guess with the way my mind works but that also will set off reflexes in the
that also will set off reflexes in the
that also will set off reflexes in the imagination of the readership you know
imagination of the readership you know
imagination of the readership you know this is really what it’s all about
this is really what it’s all about
this is really what it’s all about because it’s all about you
because it’s all about you
because it’s all about you we’re all trying to seduce you non-stop
we’re all trying to seduce you non-stop
we’re all trying to seduce you non-stop and that that I think is what I try to
and that that I think is what I try to
and that that I think is what I try to do when I say – Ollie yes Don go I can
do when I say – Ollie yes Don go I can
do when I say – Ollie yes Don go I can immediately imagine first of all it is
immediately imagine first of all it is
immediately imagine first of all it is the most seductive of all dance forms
the most seductive of all dance forms
the most seductive of all dance forms but I can also sense what it is that you
but I can also sense what it is that you
but I can also sense what it is that you won’t know as readers about this thing
won’t know as readers about this thing
won’t know as readers about this thing you have some jazzy notion moons
you have some jazzy notion moons
you have some jazzy notion moons see yes tango ooh hot blackness but I
see yes tango ooh hot blackness but I
see yes tango ooh hot blackness but I want to take you further than that you
want to take you further than that you
want to take you further than that you know I want to say it’s all of that now
know I want to say it’s all of that now
know I want to say it’s all of that now let me explain let me explain where the
let me explain let me explain where the
let me explain let me explain where the foot goes and let me explain what the
foot goes and let me explain what the
foot goes and let me explain what the music sounds like and how incredibly
music sounds like and how incredibly
music sounds like and how incredibly hard it is to do this particular dance
hard it is to do this particular dance
hard it is to do this particular dance and let me show you who’s dancing it old
and let me show you who’s dancing it old
and let me show you who’s dancing it old people old people who remember the days
people old people who remember the days
people old people who remember the days of Argentina’s triumphs with fantastic
of Argentina’s triumphs with fantastic
of Argentina’s triumphs with fantastic nostalgia I kind of want to put that
nostalgia I kind of want to put that
nostalgia I kind of want to put that dream in your eyes so it’s all about you
dream in your eyes so it’s all about you
dream in your eyes so it’s all about you know taking the fantasy that we have as
know taking the fantasy that we have as
know taking the fantasy that we have as storytellers it’s the same I think and
storytellers it’s the same I think and
storytellers it’s the same I think and just putting that fantasy in your eyes
just putting that fantasy in your eyes
just putting that fantasy in your eyes and one of the things that I personally
and one of the things that I personally
and one of the things that I personally adore about the geographic is that it’s
adore about the geographic is that it’s
adore about the geographic is that it’s Reach is not only enormous what’s the
Reach is not only enormous what’s the
Reach is not only enormous what’s the current circulation it’s like by the
current circulation it’s like by the
current circulation it’s like by the time you add in the international
time you add in the international
time you add in the international edition it’s about seven million
edition it’s about seven million
edition it’s about seven million worldwide indicating 39 local language
worldwide indicating 39 local language
worldwide indicating 39 local language so I mean you can’t I can’t even process
so I mean you can’t I can’t even process
so I mean you can’t I can’t even process that 7 million people conceivably
that 7 million people conceivably
that 7 million people conceivably glancing at your article that is beyond
glancing at your article that is beyond
glancing at your article that is beyond my range but the wide reach and the
my range but the wide reach and the
my range but the wide reach and the enormity of different kinds of people
enormity of different kinds of people
enormity of different kinds of people who look at the geographic is pretty
who look at the geographic is pretty
who look at the geographic is pretty thrilling for us I think and different
thrilling for us I think and different
thrilling for us I think and different absolutely with every sentence with
absolutely with every sentence with
absolutely with every sentence with every paragraph I think about audio
every paragraph I think about audio
every paragraph I think about audio particularly because you read about
particularly because you read about
particularly because you read about science so your job is always trying to
science so your job is always trying to
science so your job is always trying to translate out of another length and
translate out of another length and
translate out of another length and bringing people along through material
bringing people along through material
bringing people along through material that’s technical and complicated I asked
that’s technical and complicated I asked
that’s technical and complicated I asked myself after every sentence after every
myself after every sentence after every
myself after every sentence after every paragraph is he still with me is she
paragraph is he still with me is she
paragraph is he still with me is she still with me I don’t think about
still with me I don’t think about
still with me I don’t think about audience in the sense that we’re all
audience in the sense that we’re all
audience in the sense that we’re all here and we six happened to be sitting
here and we six happened to be sitting
here and we six happened to be sitting up here and you 300 or sitting down
up here and you 300 or sitting down
up here and you 300 or sitting down there I don’t think about you 300 I
there I don’t think about you 300 I
there I don’t think about you 300 I think about you or you or you
think about you or you or you
think about you or you or you and I I ask myself after each paragraph
and I I ask myself after each paragraph
and I I ask myself after each paragraph okay just you just did a paragraph on
okay just you just did a paragraph on
okay just you just did a paragraph on molecular phylogenetics you better tell
molecular phylogenetics you better tell
molecular phylogenetics you better tell a joke and hurry
are you gonna lose her David Bradley I
are you gonna lose her David Bradley I want to ask you something about research
want to ask you something about research
want to ask you something about research you were the head of research you know
you were the head of research you know
you were the head of research you know the research intimately so every
the research intimately so every
the research intimately so every magazine is supposed to have a
magazine is supposed to have a
magazine is supposed to have a fact-checking department at National
fact-checking department at National
fact-checking department at National Geographic the researchers are like PhD
Geographic the researchers are like PhD
Geographic the researchers are like PhD people compared to this so what I want
people compared to this so what I want
people compared to this so what I want to do is ask you about the lives of the
to do is ask you about the lives of the
to do is ask you about the lives of the researchers I mean they must know more
researchers I mean they must know more
researchers I mean they must know more than any other individual I can think of
than any other individual I can think of
than any other individual I can think of simply because of the way that they are
simply because of the way that they are
simply because of the way that they are obliged to work what is the deal over
obliged to work what is the deal over
obliged to work what is the deal over there
there
there everybody who works as a fact checker is
everybody who works as a fact checker is
everybody who works as a fact checker is incredibly passionate about accuracy
incredibly passionate about accuracy
incredibly passionate about accuracy because we know that where we’re backing
because we know that where we’re backing
because we know that where we’re backing up all the writers here we’re backing up
up all the writers here we’re backing up
up all the writers here we’re backing up the tradition of the geographic and we
the tradition of the geographic and we
the tradition of the geographic and we know that if we get it wrong we’re not
know that if we get it wrong we’re not
know that if we get it wrong we’re not just hurting our writer but we’re
just hurting our writer but we’re
just hurting our writer but we’re hurting our brand and and that trust
hurting our brand and and that trust
hurting our brand and and that trust that we have with with our audience
that we have with with our audience
that we have with with our audience I know Alma’s had some wonderful
I know Alma’s had some wonderful
I know Alma’s had some wonderful experiences so I was doing a story a few
experiences so I was doing a story a few
experiences so I was doing a story a few years back about nautical cultura
years back about nautical cultura
years back about nautical cultura generally but it was a story really
generally but it was a story really
generally but it was a story really about how young people in the drug world
about how young people in the drug world
about how young people in the drug world surround themselves with beliefs that
surround themselves with beliefs that
surround themselves with beliefs that help them get through their lives and I
help them get through their lives and I
help them get through their lives and I got into a prison in Sinaloa and the
got into a prison in Sinaloa and the
got into a prison in Sinaloa and the director of the jail said oh you want to
director of the jail said oh you want to
director of the jail said oh you want to do a story about a killer and a drug
do a story about a killer and a drug
do a story about a killer and a drug smuggler and a drug addict okay hmm all
smuggler and a drug addict okay hmm all
smuggler and a drug addict okay hmm all right
right
right and he introduced me to this into this
and he introduced me to this into this
and he introduced me to this into this open fenced space with hundreds of men
open fenced space with hundreds of men
open fenced space with hundreds of men milling around he said okay there they
milling around he said okay there they
milling around he said okay there they are
are
are goodbye and he left and we had actually
goodbye and he left and we had actually
goodbye and he left and we had actually what was a fascinating conversation and
what was a fascinating conversation and
what was a fascinating conversation and then I went back and I wrote my story
then I went back and I wrote my story
then I went back and I wrote my story turned my copy over the fact-checker the
turned my copy over the fact-checker the
turned my copy over the fact-checker the fact checker gets to work and eventually
fact checker gets to work and eventually
fact checker gets to work and eventually she calls me back and she says I have
she calls me back and she says I have
she calls me back and she says I have so-and-so the prison
so-and-so the prison
so-and-so the prison who was supposed to be the killer who
who was supposed to be the killer who
who was supposed to be the killer who was the killer in fact the multiple
was the killer in fact the multiple
was the killer in fact the multiple killer I have him on the phone somehow
killer I have him on the phone somehow
killer I have him on the phone somehow somehow or other she had persuaded the
somehow or other she had persuaded the
somehow or other she had persuaded the jail director to go back to say okay you
jail director to go back to say okay you
jail director to go back to say okay you can talk to this person to bring him out
can talk to this person to bring him out
can talk to this person to bring him out of that cage and to get on the prison
of that cage and to get on the prison
of that cage and to get on the prison phone and to verify all the information
phone and to verify all the information
phone and to verify all the information they are absolutely amazing they are now
they are absolutely amazing they are now
they are absolutely amazing they are now lest we sound too much like we’re
lest we sound too much like we’re
lest we sound too much like we’re Tooting our own horn let’s talk about
Tooting our own horn let’s talk about
Tooting our own horn let’s talk about some of the days that are that are not
some of the days that are that are not
some of the days that are that are not so much to be celebrated in terms of the
so much to be celebrated in terms of the
so much to be celebrated in terms of the national Geographics writing well there
national Geographics writing well there
national Geographics writing well there there are some black marks actually
there are some black marks actually
there are some black marks actually which are better forgotten than
which are better forgotten than
which are better forgotten than explained but I am a ski writer write in
explained but I am a ski writer write in
explained but I am a ski writer write in February 1937 we did a story of 47 page
February 1937 we did a story of 47 page
February 1937 we did a story of 47 page story entitled emerging Berlin written
story entitled emerging Berlin written
story entitled emerging Berlin written by Douglas Chandler and there were many
by Douglas Chandler and there were many
by Douglas Chandler and there were many many pictures of banners with swastikas
many pictures of banners with swastikas
many pictures of banners with swastikas and very youthful looking people being
and very youthful looking people being
and very youthful looking people being no fit and that kind of thing and
no fit and that kind of thing and
no fit and that kind of thing and Douglas Chandler was very likely in the
Douglas Chandler was very likely in the
Douglas Chandler was very likely in the pay of Joseph Goebbels the minister of
pay of Joseph Goebbels the minister of
pay of Joseph Goebbels the minister of propaganda for Hitler from 1935 onwards
propaganda for Hitler from 1935 onwards
propaganda for Hitler from 1935 onwards he was actually after World War two
he was actually after World War two
he was actually after World War two sentenced to life for treason when you
sentenced to life for treason when you
sentenced to life for treason when you came back to the America from Germany so
came back to the America from Germany so
came back to the America from Germany so that was one story that story was
that was one story that story was
that was one story that story was followed the month after in March of
followed the month after in March of
followed the month after in March of 1937 by the very wonderful sounding
1937 by the very wonderful sounding
1937 by the very wonderful sounding Imperial Rome reborn and that was a 57
Imperial Rome reborn and that was a 57
Imperial Rome reborn and that was a 57 page story and it so happens that I’m
page story and it so happens that I’m
page story and it so happens that I’m going to read you the lead story
going to read you the lead story
going to read you the lead story here’s the lead as we lunched informally
here’s the lead as we lunched informally
here’s the lead as we lunched informally with Buchi in a little trattoria
with Buchi in a little trattoria
with Buchi in a little trattoria restaurant I learned upon what meat this
restaurant I learned upon what meat this
restaurant I learned upon what meat this modern Caesar feeds Mussolini taught son
modern Caesar feeds Mussolini taught son
modern Caesar feeds Mussolini taught son listened most and smiled often above one
listened most and smiled often above one
listened most and smiled often above one clothes clipped iron-gray temple a large
clothes clipped iron-gray temple a large
clothes clipped iron-gray temple a large mole added homely character to his
mole added homely character to his
mole added homely character to his nearly bald head tucking a napkin
nearly bald head tucking a napkin
nearly bald head tucking a napkin protectively beneath his black collar he
protectively beneath his black collar he
protectively beneath his black collar he act with quick nervous motions bread
act with quick nervous motions bread
act with quick nervous motions bread noodles cheese pork and peas and orange
noodles cheese pork and peas and orange
noodles cheese pork and peas and orange and drank a little frascati wine but
and drank a little frascati wine but
and drank a little frascati wine but more seriously later in that story the
more seriously later in that story the
more seriously later in that story the author made this observation quote
author made this observation quote
author made this observation quote ambitious and forward-looking other
ambitious and forward-looking other
ambitious and forward-looking other works of fascism so also for some years
works of fascism so also for some years
works of fascism so also for some years there was no the words I read in one of
there was no the words I read in one of
there was no the words I read in one of the histories of the geographic I mean
the histories of the geographic I mean
the histories of the geographic I mean let’s be clear this information came to
let’s be clear this information came to
let’s be clear this information came to me from geographic produced histories
me from geographic produced histories
me from geographic produced histories that the words segregation lynching KKK
that the words segregation lynching KKK
that the words segregation lynching KKK civil rights movement never appeared in
civil rights movement never appeared in
civil rights movement never appeared in the pages of the geographic until the
the pages of the geographic until the
the pages of the geographic until the late 1970s and we still make some of our
late 1970s and we still make some of our
late 1970s and we still make some of our traditional readers quite angry when we
traditional readers quite angry when we
traditional readers quite angry when we write about contamination pollution
write about contamination pollution
write about contamination pollution human slavery to human trafficking and
human slavery to human trafficking and
human slavery to human trafficking and slavery that made a lot of old-fashioned
slavery that made a lot of old-fashioned
slavery that made a lot of old-fashioned Geographic readers angry so evolution
Geographic readers angry so evolution
Geographic readers angry so evolution right so insofar as you can talk about
right so insofar as you can talk about
right so insofar as you can talk about the guiding principles for what we
the guiding principles for what we
the guiding principles for what we should write about now what motivates
should write about now what motivates
should write about now what motivates the editorial view at this point well I
the editorial view at this point well I
the editorial view at this point well I think it’s it’s always a balance Chris
think it’s it’s always a balance Chris
think it’s it’s always a balance Chris Jones the editor is very he’s anxious
Jones the editor is very he’s anxious
Jones the editor is very he’s anxious that we portray some of the aspects of
that we portray some of the aspects of
that we portray some of the aspects of environmental damage very frankly and
environmental damage very frankly and
environmental damage very frankly and clearly the magazine has ceased to
clearly the magazine has ceased to
clearly the magazine has ceased to entertain any argument about whether
entertain any argument about whether
entertain any argument about whether climate change is real no right we’ve to
climate change is real no right we’ve to
climate change is real no right we’ve to stop the write for a decade at least on
stop the write for a decade at least on
stop the write for a decade at least on this
this
this no question but what he’s beginning to
no question but what he’s beginning to
no question but what he’s beginning to do is to encourage a form of
do is to encourage a form of
do is to encourage a form of investigative journalism especially on
investigative journalism especially on
investigative journalism especially on the environment which we have never
the environment which we have never
the environment which we have never engaged in and in fact last October we
engaged in and in fact last October we
engaged in and in fact last October we put out a story that many of you may
put out a story that many of you may
put out a story that many of you may have read by Brian Christie about blood
have read by Brian Christie about blood
have read by Brian Christie about blood ivory ivory worship in which he really
ivory ivory worship in which he really
ivory ivory worship in which he really revealed for the first time the extent
revealed for the first time the extent
revealed for the first time the extent to which devotional use of ivory is
to which devotional use of ivory is
to which devotional use of ivory is fueling the illegal trade and and this
fueling the illegal trade and and this
fueling the illegal trade and and this was in a way a turning point for us in
was in a way a turning point for us in
was in a way a turning point for us in our modern era because we’ve never done
our modern era because we’ve never done
our modern era because we’ve never done such a deep investigative breaking a
such a deep investigative breaking a
such a deep investigative breaking a story kind of report that I know of to
story kind of report that I know of to
story kind of report that I know of to that degree David correct me if I’m
that degree David correct me if I’m
that degree David correct me if I’m wrong and and it’s had a very very
wrong and and it’s had a very very
wrong and and it’s had a very very significant effect in the countries
significant effect in the countries
significant effect in the countries where it was reported in the Philippines
where it was reported in the Philippines
where it was reported in the Philippines the laws have been changed a pedophile
the laws have been changed a pedophile
the laws have been changed a pedophile priest who was revealed to have been
priest who was revealed to have been
priest who was revealed to have been involved in the illegal trade was
involved in the illegal trade was
involved in the illegal trade was defrocked I mean just in Rome one of the
defrocked I mean just in Rome one of the
defrocked I mean just in Rome one of the shops in Vatican Square was raided by
shops in Vatican Square was raided by
shops in Vatican Square was raided by the police I mean these things of these
the police I mean these things of these
the police I mean these things of these is a good affects from our journalism we
is a good affects from our journalism we
is a good affects from our journalism we are moving in a direction that gives us
are moving in a direction that gives us
are moving in a direction that gives us a great deal of credibility in the
a great deal of credibility in the
a great deal of credibility in the investigative sphere which is I think a
investigative sphere which is I think a
investigative sphere which is I think a good development
good development
good development I think the tough stories that we’re
I think the tough stories that we’re
I think the tough stories that we’re doing though we’re still doing them in a
doing though we’re still doing them in a
doing though we’re still doing them in a different way from the way they’d be
different way from the way they’d be
different way from the way they’d be covered in other journalistic vehicles
covered in other journalistic vehicles
covered in other journalistic vehicles and it’s because we really take our
and it’s because we really take our
and it’s because we really take our mission as geography magazine very
mission as geography magazine very
mission as geography magazine very seriously we’re connecting the dots
seriously we’re connecting the dots
seriously we’re connecting the dots between limited natural resources and
between limited natural resources and
between limited natural resources and water and land and the aspirations of
water and land and the aspirations of
water and land and the aspirations of people who want to improve their lives
people who want to improve their lives
people who want to improve their lives and so are migrating we really the
and so are migrating we really the
and so are migrating we really the things that you would learn in a
things that you would learn in a
things that you would learn in a geography class are very much the prisms
geography class are very much the prisms
geography class are very much the prisms through which we report on conflict and
through which we report on conflict and
through which we report on conflict and an environmental degradation so I think
an environmental degradation so I think
an environmental degradation so I think that the reason that we in some weird
that the reason that we in some weird
that the reason that we in some weird way by
way by
way by being tougher and kind of I think a lot
being tougher and kind of I think a lot
being tougher and kind of I think a lot more relevant it’s almost like we’re
more relevant it’s almost like we’re
more relevant it’s almost like we’re going back to our roots of really being
going back to our roots of really being
going back to our roots of really being a geography magazine where we’re able to
a geography magazine where we’re able to
a geography magazine where we’re able to shine a light on issues that you read in
shine a light on issues that you read in
shine a light on issues that you read in the headlines and but in a very
the headlines and but in a very
the headlines and but in a very different way I agree and I think that
different way I agree and I think that
different way I agree and I think that makes even our conflict reporting better
makes even our conflict reporting better
makes even our conflict reporting better because we get at the ultimate causes of
because we get at the ultimate causes of
because we get at the ultimate causes of human strife as opposed to the more
human strife as opposed to the more
human strife as opposed to the more superficial ones and for anybody who’s
superficial ones and for anybody who’s
superficial ones and for anybody who’s covered Africa that’s always a challenge
covered Africa that’s always a challenge
covered Africa that’s always a challenge because over the past generation there
because over the past generation there
because over the past generation there has been so much conflict there if the
has been so much conflict there if the
has been so much conflict there if the story gets repetitive and the general
story gets repetitive and the general
story gets repetitive and the general public starts writing off the continent
public starts writing off the continent
public starts writing off the continent at the basket case which is just that’s
at the basket case which is just that’s
at the basket case which is just that’s a testament to bad reporting that’s not
a testament to bad reporting that’s not
a testament to bad reporting that’s not a testament to Africa and I think the
a testament to Africa and I think the
a testament to Africa and I think the geographic by getting at the roots of
geographic by getting at the roots of
geographic by getting at the roots of conflict whether it’s resource
conflict whether it’s resource
conflict whether it’s resource allocation or the flow of weaponry or
allocation or the flow of weaponry or
allocation or the flow of weaponry or even you know if I mentor boundaries
even you know if I mentor boundaries
even you know if I mentor boundaries like the Sahel where different cultures
like the Sahel where different cultures
like the Sahel where different cultures clang together I do a much better job we
clang together I do a much better job we
clang together I do a much better job we have to think harder be smarter let’s
have to think harder be smarter let’s
have to think harder be smarter let’s have the microphones come down for
have the microphones come down for
have the microphones come down for anybody who wants to ask questions well
anybody who wants to ask questions well
anybody who wants to ask questions well they’re coming down I’m gonna grab
they’re coming down I’m gonna grab
they’re coming down I’m gonna grab randomly bowtie person here in the front
randomly bowtie person here in the front
randomly bowtie person here in the front you’ve talked about the process of how
you’ve talked about the process of how
you’ve talked about the process of how to get a story into the magazine but
to get a story into the magazine but
to get a story into the magazine but could you speak about how you actually
could you speak about how you actually
could you speak about how you actually write like any tips that you’d give on
write like any tips that you’d give on
write like any tips that you’d give on how to write or what do you do when
how to write or what do you do when
how to write or what do you do when you’re actually writing and are taking
you’re actually writing and are taking
you’re actually writing and are taking notes or whatever you need to do to be
notes or whatever you need to do to be
notes or whatever you need to do to be able to write so well you mean after
able to write so well you mean after
able to write so well you mean after we’ve cleaned all of our closets and
we’ve cleaned all of our closets and
we’ve cleaned all of our closets and we’re the letters to relatives we
we’re the letters to relatives we
we’re the letters to relatives we haven’t heard from and cursed our fate
haven’t heard from and cursed our fate
haven’t heard from and cursed our fate and felt sorry for ourselves after that
and felt sorry for ourselves after that
and felt sorry for ourselves after that part yes yeah if it makes you feel any
part yes yeah if it makes you feel any
part yes yeah if it makes you feel any better we all do that still after all
better we all do that still after all
better we all do that still after all this time you want to grab that one I
this time you want to grab that one I
this time you want to grab that one I put paper I go through all my notebooks
put paper I go through all my notebooks
put paper I go through all my notebooks and I put paper clips on anything that’s
and I put paper clips on anything that’s
and I put paper clips on anything that’s interesting or important without regard
interesting or important without regard
interesting or important without regard to whether I see it fitting together
to whether I see it fitting together
to whether I see it fitting together into a structures post-its
into a structures post-its
into a structures post-its I use post-its sometimes and then but
I use post-its sometimes and then but
I use post-its sometimes and then but I’m mostly interested in what is in
I’m mostly interested in what is in
I’m mostly interested in what is in these notebooks that’s interesting and
these notebooks that’s interesting and
these notebooks that’s interesting and then I do not make an outline I I wait
then I do not make an outline I I wait
then I do not make an outline I I wait until a first sentence comes into my
until a first sentence comes into my
until a first sentence comes into my head I keep sort of researching and
head I keep sort of researching and
head I keep sort of researching and rummaging and going over the material
rummaging and going over the material
rummaging and going over the material until the first sentence comes into my
until the first sentence comes into my
until the first sentence comes into my head and then I push it away and when
head and then I push it away and when
head and then I push it away and when the first sentence is there then I start
the first sentence is there then I start
the first sentence is there then I start to write and I do my best to take all
to write and I do my best to take all
to write and I do my best to take all the things that are interesting from the
the things that are interesting from the
the things that are interesting from the notebooks and put them into a story that
notebooks and put them into a story that
notebooks and put them into a story that has a beginning a middle and an end
has a beginning a middle and an end
has a beginning a middle and an end the same thing that makes working for
the same thing that makes working for
the same thing that makes working for the geographic fabulous is also the
the geographic fabulous is also the
the geographic fabulous is also the thing that makes you want to shoot
thing that makes you want to shoot
thing that makes you want to shoot yourself when you’re working on one of
yourself when you’re working on one of
yourself when you’re working on one of these stories which is that there is no
these stories which is that there is no
these stories which is that there is no publication that I’m aware of certainly
publication that I’m aware of certainly
publication that I’m aware of certainly in the United States possibly in the
in the United States possibly in the
in the United States possibly in the world that gives its reporters as well
world that gives its reporters as well
world that gives its reporters as well as its photographers so much support to
as its photographers so much support to
as its photographers so much support to do as much research as possible during
do as much research as possible during
do as much research as possible during child brides I actually had this is a
child brides I actually had this is a
child brides I actually had this is a true story I had an argument with
true story I had an argument with
true story I had an argument with Barbara in which I said please do not
Barbara in which I said please do not
Barbara in which I said please do not send me to a third comment because I
send me to a third comment because I
send me to a third comment because I can’t you know I already have way too
can’t you know I already have way too
can’t you know I already have way too much just out of India and she said and
much just out of India and she said and
much just out of India and she said and I swear this is true she said well we
I swear this is true she said well we
I swear this is true she said well we just thought that if you went to a third
just thought that if you went to a third
just thought that if you went to a third continent you’d have a better sort of
continent you’d have a better sort of
continent you’d have a better sort of broad understanding of the issue and so
broad understanding of the issue and so
broad understanding of the issue and so the amount of stuff that you’ve got to
the amount of stuff that you’ve got to
the amount of stuff that you’ve got to go through before you’re trying to
go through before you’re trying to
go through before you’re trying to figure out what a story is in all this
figure out what a story is in all this
figure out what a story is in all this can be astonishing let’s have yes on the
can be astonishing let’s have yes on the
can be astonishing let’s have yes on the Isle there please I’m curious as to what
Isle there please I’m curious as to what
Isle there please I’m curious as to what each of you has had as the toughest
each of you has had as the toughest
each of you has had as the toughest experience on an assignment while you
experience on an assignment while you
experience on an assignment while you were searching say and finding out about
were searching say and finding out about
were searching say and finding out about things well I’ll start with that one I
things well I’ll start with that one I
things well I’ll start with that one I would say probably for me
would say probably for me
would say probably for me the single toughest experience was as I
the single toughest experience was as I
the single toughest experience was as I mean I wrote about it in in the piece I
mean I wrote about it in in the piece I
mean I wrote about it in in the piece I did on child marriage watching a
did on child marriage watching a
did on child marriage watching a five-year-old get married at two o’clock
five-year-old get married at two o’clock
five-year-old get married at two o’clock in the morning to a boy that she’d never
in the morning to a boy that she’d never
in the morning to a boy that she’d never seen before and knowing that there was
seen before and knowing that there was
seen before and knowing that there was absolutely nothing I could do about it
absolutely nothing I could do about it
absolutely nothing I could do about it except document it the latter part was
except document it the latter part was
except document it the latter part was harder than the first part as a reporter
harder than the first part as a reporter
harder than the first part as a reporter you are trained to look at things that
you are trained to look at things that
you are trained to look at things that are very distressing it’s what we do
are very distressing it’s what we do
are very distressing it’s what we do it’s probably why we do it to be honest
it’s probably why we do it to be honest
it’s probably why we do it to be honest about it but to look at something like
about it but to look at something like
about it but to look at something like that and and know I mean I made a there
that and and know I mean I made a there
that and and know I mean I made a there was a line in the article that I wrote
was a line in the article that I wrote
was a line in the article that I wrote about
about
about your first impulse wanting to be to
your first impulse wanting to be to
your first impulse wanting to be to punch everybody in the head and grab the
punch everybody in the head and grab the
punch everybody in the head and grab the kid and run and you can’t and that was
kid and run and you can’t and that was
kid and run and you can’t and that was somehow for me the most visceral and
somehow for me the most visceral and
somehow for me the most visceral and specific embodiment of that overall
specific embodiment of that overall
specific embodiment of that overall journalistic lament that I’ve ever
journalistic lament that I’ve ever
journalistic lament that I’ve ever encountered I think we should get Paul
encountered I think we should get Paul
encountered I think we should get Paul to answer this absolutely true Paul
to answer this absolutely true Paul
to answer this absolutely true Paul Salopek small you’ve got a slightly
Salopek small you’ve got a slightly
Salopek small you’ve got a slightly difficult story or two don’t you what
difficult story or two don’t you what
difficult story or two don’t you what you see does bruise you and you plaid to
you see does bruise you and you plaid to
you see does bruise you and you plaid to be careful what you see this is a less
be careful what you see this is a less
be careful what you see this is a less than heartless and learned all that
than heartless and learned all that
than heartless and learned all that you’re experienced I think a lot of
you’re experienced I think a lot of
you’re experienced I think a lot of young reporters who go into war
young reporters who go into war
young reporters who go into war reporting don’t quite recognize that
reporting don’t quite recognize that
reporting don’t quite recognize that fact not seeing people killed and it’s a
fact not seeing people killed and it’s a
fact not seeing people killed and it’s a difficult thing to rationalize why
difficult thing to rationalize why
difficult thing to rationalize why you’re there when that happens and I
you’re there when that happens and I
you’re there when that happens and I think at a certain point you have to
think at a certain point you have to
think at a certain point you have to make a decision as a writer an honest
make a decision as a writer an honest
make a decision as a writer an honest decision if your presence there is truly
decision if your presence there is truly
decision if your presence there is truly required as a witness to history or as a
required as a witness to history or as a
required as a witness to history or as a as a believer of effecting positive
as a believer of effecting positive
as a believer of effecting positive change to maybe halt war and I would I
change to maybe halt war and I would I
change to maybe halt war and I would I would argue to them show me a photograph
would argue to them show me a photograph
would argue to them show me a photograph or indeed a story that has stopped a war
or indeed a story that has stopped a war
or indeed a story that has stopped a war right so it’s a really complicated thing
right so it’s a really complicated thing
right so it’s a really complicated thing we have a other question up here thank
we have a other question up here thank
we have a other question up here thank you the old National Geographic was
you the old National Geographic was
you the old National Geographic was purportedly at least impartial and now
purportedly at least impartial and now
purportedly at least impartial and now since the seventies that has changed do
since the seventies that has changed do
since the seventies that has changed do you want a writer who takes a strong
you want a writer who takes a strong
you want a writer who takes a strong stance who’s passionately involved with
stance who’s passionately involved with
stance who’s passionately involved with us or if not if you want a more balanced
us or if not if you want a more balanced
us or if not if you want a more balanced detached view some subjectivity has to
detached view some subjectivity has to
detached view some subjectivity has to create this we we get the facts right
create this we we get the facts right
create this we we get the facts right and so we we we are we try to engage
and so we we we are we try to engage
and so we we we are we try to engage different people so if they’re if it’s a
different people so if they’re if it’s a
different people so if they’re if it’s a very controversial subject we try to
very controversial subject we try to
very controversial subject we try to tell the whole story and not just one
tell the whole story and not just one
tell the whole story and not just one side and so will engage with you know
side and so will engage with you know
side and so will engage with you know somebody on the left and maybe someone
somebody on the left and maybe someone
somebody on the left and maybe someone on the right and try to come somewhere
on the right and try to come somewhere
on the right and try to come somewhere in the middle but ultimately we leave it
in the middle but ultimately we leave it
in the middle but ultimately we leave it up to our writers to tell that story and
up to our writers to tell that story and
up to our writers to tell that story and the voice and we trust we hire our
the voice and we trust we hire our
the voice and we trust we hire our writers for their voice for their
writers for their voice for their
writers for their voice for their expertise and for their ability to get
expertise and for their ability to get
expertise and for their ability to get the story and and they tell it right and
the story and and they tell it right and
the story and and they tell it right and we help them tell it right
we help them tell it right
we help them tell it right in the end I want to add something and
in the end I want to add something and
in the end I want to add something and maybe diverge from what David said by 45
maybe diverge from what David said by 45
maybe diverge from what David said by 45 or 90 degrees we’re not a newspaper
or 90 degrees we’re not a newspaper
or 90 degrees we’re not a newspaper we’re a magazine we go out some of us
we’re a magazine we go out some of us
we’re a magazine we go out some of us maybe many of us are feature writers and
maybe many of us are feature writers and
maybe many of us are feature writers and essayists for you know in you know
essayists for you know in you know
essayists for you know in you know wearing various different hats I run
wearing various different hats I run
wearing various different hats I run into this people say sometimes when I’m
into this people say sometimes when I’m
into this people say sometimes when I’m talking to sources well you have to be
talking to sources well you have to be
talking to sources well you have to be objective don’t you you’re a journalist
objective don’t you you’re a journalist
objective don’t you you’re a journalist and I say excuse me you should know
and I say excuse me you should know
and I say excuse me you should know right now that I’m not a daily reporter
right now that I’m not a daily reporter
right now that I’m not a daily reporter I have no obligation whatsoever to be
I have no obligation whatsoever to be
I have no obligation whatsoever to be objective I have an obligation to be
objective I have an obligation to be
objective I have an obligation to be accurate and to be fair to get the facts
accurate and to be fair to get the facts
accurate and to be fair to get the facts right and to be thorough and to listen
right and to be thorough and to listen
right and to be thorough and to listen to a lot of different voices but I have
to a lot of different voices but I have
to a lot of different voices but I have no obligation to present those voices as
no obligation to present those voices as
no obligation to present those voices as though they have equal value on the
though they have equal value on the
though they have equal value on the subject of climate change or on the
subject of climate change or on the
subject of climate change or on the subject of child brides mm-hmm get the
subject of child brides mm-hmm get the
subject of child brides mm-hmm get the facts right and then and then say
facts right and then and then say
facts right and then and then say something worth saying before we say
something worth saying before we say
something worth saying before we say goodnight to all of you I have a special
goodnight to all of you I have a special
goodnight to all of you I have a special favor of you to ask which is that you
favor of you to ask which is that you
favor of you to ask which is that you say good night to Salopek who probably
say good night to Salopek who probably
say good night to Salopek who probably hasn’t had more than a couple people
hasn’t had more than a couple people
hasn’t had more than a couple people from home to say goodnight to him in a
from home to say goodnight to him in a
from home to say goodnight to him in a long time get some sleep and safe
long time get some sleep and safe
long time get some sleep and safe travels ala Peck thanks a lot thanks to
travels ala Peck thanks a lot thanks to
travels ala Peck thanks a lot thanks to all who was here and thanks to all of
all who was here and thanks to all of
all who was here and thanks to all of you for joining us
”
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