How dose Karl see the world from his unique perspective?
What issues occupy his mind over countless hours on those seemingly endless miles?
If you really want to know the world, you had best get out there amongst it. See it through the eyes of one man, and then those of another. Keep moving, keep shifting the perspective.
Why has this endeavour not openly backed a cause before? One of the most contentious topics facing this endeavour over the last number of years has been that of backing a particular cause. I have reviewed the many facets of my personal experiences and interests. I've been taking into account the concerns of others and how they believe those decisions might effect the journey, and it's largely been a compromise.
Personally, it's been a painstaking process. When I first began work on this subject in the early days of planning this journey, the whole subject left a bad taste in my mouth. It appeared that the unwritten rule was; 'any given adventure simply must fundraise for a cause'. It has always felt somewhat disingenuous to me to simply grasp at the first popular cause that will take an interest in you merely to obtain funding. As is clear, when it comes to commercial funding, any venture that is not involved with a popular cause will find itself wanting, with little support. I was determined not to let the need for commercial funding define and shape my endeavour.
Such fundraising activity surely deserves some deliberation and genuine input. After all, we should all do what we can to help the less fortunate. For the first half of my journey this endeavour did not fall into a category that sponsoring causes could recognise, unsponsored and foraging for food along the highways of South America, without any internal structure. However, the possibility existed that in time we would gain enough credibility and the option was never closed. But this is not a subject I have taken lightly and have played my cards close to my chest. For some it's a no brainer, and their own personal experiences dictate a preference. Some have survived the horror of cancer or lost loved ones to such terrible diseases, or even some unjust tyranny, I have not. While I admire those who toil for peoples less fortunate then themselves, building schools, clinics, lighting the darkness, cleaning the water, providing funds food and medicine, I find myself always looking beyond the despair strewn around me hoping our efforts are not in vane or just unwise, fearful that unless we fail to identify root causes, we will never catch these fleeting gins of despair. My long term conundrum has been whether to speak out at all and if I do just how much do I say. Such topics inevitably involve culturally sensitive or politically charged subject matter. Some expeditions could adopt a cause that enhances their popularity and standing. I believe backing a cause is not an exercise in popularity or a financial gain, it is a deep seated reason and conviction to act.
I also find myself wishing to remind people, how and why it is we can light the darkness and clean the water. How it is we can build schools and clinics. How it is we are able to inoculate and cure millions and eradicate terrible diseases. Mostly, how important it is to ensure that we can continue to do so for generations to come. Remembering that for all the heroes we witness in the headlines, there are so many more unsung heroes that have toiled for decades in the shadows, those who have enabled society. Those that have provided us with the physical tangible means, and have afforded us the lifestyle, time and space, so that we can help. Those who are the vanguard of humanities advance.
Championing ‘a cause’ becoming a voice, brandishing a message is some thing that comes quite natural to us all at some point, once something motivates us with sufficient vigor. Its just a matter of time, and I find that time is fast approaching. I am looking at the ‘education of the sciences’, and those organization and charities associated with this objective, this is a direction I wish to move in. I intend to prioritize and emphasize organizations that encourage the young to pursue ‘critical thinking’ and ‘inquiry’.
Let me explain the reasons behind my thinking and the reason why I chose these subjects over countless many other worthy possibilities. At the for front of most peoples minds, and popular with most sponsored expeditions and adventures to day, are the environmental challenges we collectively face. Some have questioned weather I would back such a cause. Personally, I believe, the greenest thing we will ever do is educate a child in the sciences, to think critically and objectively, and just briefly, this is why:
We need to think in time frames beyond our own life death cycle. Too many of us do not. Too common is the question “but how will that help me?” or “what do I get out of it?”. We would find our ‘purpose driven life’ if we left something worthy for the next generation.
In humanities battle for sustainability, in which environmental awareness and protection are only a part, the most important asset we possess are our future generations. As the problems we face are not simply problems of to day, and so will require the ability to affectively manage the challenges we face over the long term. Over the horizon sustainability and all its components , not just the popular issues, should remain a priority as the world moves forward and capitalizes on the green revolution fads and trends of today. I view sustainability in the broader context not just popular environmental concerns. This includes energy security and investment, cultural cohesion and demographics as well as environmental or biosphere issues. As the sun rises on the 21st century, and our human situation brings us new challenges, perhaps we see the dawn of what is to become an ever more critical player, the ideological battle space.
My personal fear is the misunderstanding or miscommunication of the reality of what is required for humanities continued struggle toward sustainability. How it encompasses a complex and broad arena of interwoven issues and relationships throughout many disciplines. These difficulties, and the pressure they impose upon us all, and how our ignorance of them, opens the door and creates fertile hunting ground for misguided ideologies that look to exploit this complexity and the ignorance it creates. I fear we may become misdirected or confused by irrational schools of thought when pragmatic approaches and scientific method are clearly, in the given circumstances, the only effective tools of choice, indeed of survival.
No one nation holds the key, no one nation can go it alone. But we will all unanimously suffer the consequences of error of judgment. As such, sustainability will require 'Unity of effort'. Those ideologies that espouse to unique and exclusive practices thereby isolating, exploiting and dividing cultures and their peoples, are as much a threat to sustainability as any misguided energy policy.
I have become concerned, as I think we should all, at the waning standards of rational and critical thinking. This backward slide can be seen in the declining science grades across schools in the U.K. With a rise of anti scientific ideologies and practices aimed at schools in the United States as with many other parts of the world. To lose direction now would be potentially damning for the future of us all, more importantly our children. I believe we require a sustained drive in innovation, in creative thinking and technologies. Also modernise our morality and ethics, broaden and deepen our understanding of our human situation. Readjust our concepts, attitudes and approaches to life, our biosphere and each other in order to be able to adjust and adapt to the constant and swiftly changing circumstances we face. The truly great threats are the spectres of man made concepts that are determined to drag man back into the twilight yester years of our darkened past, at a time when we can least afford it. Our ability to overcome the challenges emerging on our horizons require our ability to understand and master the sciences and technologies that will ultimately provide the solutions we seek.
We must understand that time is neither a friend nor an ally to man. Those ideologies that wish to divert, misguide or even roll back our advances in knowledge and its application constitute a significant threat to our collective future. Understanding and focusing on the continued gains we have made, with a view to over the horizon sustainability, is critical to our long term survival. The Universe is a dynamic entity governed by the arrow of time. Everything must and does change, from concepts to the structure of space itself. There is a simple observable fact within this universe; systems or entities that cannot adjust and adapt with changing circumstances perish. We must ensure our future generations posses the mental clarity dexterity and flexibility to be able to adjust in a rapidly changing physical world, to stay a head of the curve. If humanity decides to slow or even reverse its advances, a variety of circumstances outside of our control will not slow out of respect for our failures. Our populations will continue to grow, we will continue to consume and everything around us will change as governed by the arrow’s relentless advance. If we have hampered our ability to find technical and innovative solutions, we will fall behind the curve and might not recover. The current environmental fears are a good example of the curve looming over the horizon just behind us.
This is a cause I find worthy of pursuit. It would be my intention to support and shed light upon, and work with, those organisations and charities that advance education in the sciences. To embark on a conscious raising endeavour into the understanding of the far reaching consequences of mans ideological battle space and his need for a pragmatic approach to long term sustainment.
Our continued existence requires those pioneers and explorers not afraid to put their best foot forward. We must be willing to shine a light into the darkest, most forbidden corners of our nature. As we stumble in the dark, it requires forward looking leadership. Leadership through positive inspiration and vision, not the constant onslaught of procrastination and the manipulated fear of impending doom. We must install confidence at every opportunity, repeatedly remind our fellow man that our future remains an uncharted well spring of unimaginable possibilities. We must not shy from the most difficult, complex and unpleasant challenges that stand before us, but be willing to engage on all fronts in meaningful ways, especially, the taboos we fear confronting the most.
Be aware, there is stiff competition for the souls of your children from competing ideologies. Those ideologies understand its workings very well. Fringe groups, cults, religious and political extremists, jihadists, dictators and crime syndicates are all scholars in the art of manipulating the ignorance of the young and vulnerable. Societies must appreciate and understand this danger less we stand idly by and watch our most precious assets, the children, be marched into the dark begotten jungle of ideologues. In Greek mythology the Greek god Cronus, once leader of the Titans and father of Zeus, turned to eating his own children, fearing they would one day challenge his authority. In today's world there are plenty of modern day Cronuses. From shadow creeping nightmares, to brazen players on the world stage. Their trepidation and fear is that free thinking children would grow to one day challenge the dogma and ideologies that are unable or unwilling to adapt at the necessary pace. Children are extremely susceptible, and once the software is installed, its very difficult to uninstall. With fear implemented like a virus, humans are puppets willing to do their masters bidding, no matter how terrible, no matter how unreasonable.
Children must be tutored and practiced in the skills of critical objective thinking. Allowing them to face the complex judgment calls they will inevitably face at some point, with skill and wisdom as defences against the creeping Cronus. So that our future generations, free from a demon haunted world and its mental shackles, can advance, discover and learn. Face our global challenges armed with the kind of knowledge, and the freedom of its application, that will allow them to overcome and endure.
I arrive at these conclusions after ten years on a long hard road. Ten years of observation and thought provoking experiences. I have lived in a very real world and have experienced it in a unique fashion. As such I have developed a deep rooted respect and concern for the world I have come to love. I managed to escape the snare of 'group think' by crossing countless distant horizons, found new (to me) people and cultures, moving always from household to household, country to country. I have had the luck of been exposed to permanently shifting ideas and perspectives. Having received so much kindness from strangers, who themselves have little to offer and expect nothing in return. Having witnessed the very best of human nature and having re-connected with my faith in humanity. Having understood the almost limitless potential that any individual can bring to bear once they believe in themselves and their fellow man. I have discovered faith, faith in humanity and a rational approach to those challenges facing us and how this unifying aspect, will ultimately bring out the very best in us all. My silence on such matters is no longer an option, I feel I owe so many people so much more.
