Human Responsibility

Can’t we just abandon all responsibility? 

A few weeks ago I wrote about Resolve, and its close synonym Resiliency. I was thinking about Responsibility today, wondering… why should anyone feel responsible? Why should we have any responsibility for anything? I kept thinking… why not embrace hedonism fully and live a fun adventurous life? Why not discard our burdens with wanton abandon?

Isn’t it nicer to live a lighter life? Why should we worry about climate change, about the destruction of natural habitats, the demise of innumerable species during our time here? Why care about the economy, who wins the upcoming presidential election, when we can live relatively good lives by focusing on ourselves?

I do not yet have children, but I imagine your sense of responsibility forever changes once you do, when you must care for and protect them. I think it changes you. You’re more inclined to think about the future, to care about the planet, when your children must inherit the Earth after you. A perspective centered around only yourself is fundamentally limited.

Norwegian countryside from the train - July 2023

I often think, “I’m one of eight billion people on this planet, out of even more billions to have ever lived… trillions of life forms have existed on this planet. Who am I to think I’m important?” And that’s only the ‘life scale.’ In terms of time, I inhabit this rock for one relative instance, one short human lifespan. I realize: this planet is on loan to me. I get to enjoy its splendor for my lifetime, but then have to let it go and share it with all who come after me. It’s not mine to ruin. I have a responsibility to ensure I’m not a selfish harbinger of destruction, but a responsible tenant.

Respect, Responsibility and Resolve are all connected to one another. In order to grasp a sense of responsibility you have to have respect; for others, for the planet, for the time we share together, for the one life we all get to live. Without respecting the sacredness of life, it’s impossible to have responsibility. Similarly, in order to maintain a sense of responsibility, you have to have resolve. You have to be resilient in the face of the inevitable adversity you’ll experience, to continue to push for what you believe in, what’s right, what’s just, for the betterment of humanity and for all the life on this planet. It requires resolve to keep going, to act on that sense of responsibility. The three R’s are inseparable.

We don’t need to feel responsible for the fate of humanity. But we should feel like responsible stewards of this planet. Our actions matter. We don’t have the Earth forever. When we die, we pass it on to our children and children’s children, in whatever state we leave it. A sense of responsibility encompasses doing one’s part, even if that’s just a little. We all contribute, and we’re all apart of this. Isn’t it only fair for us to contribute what we can while we enjoy this one wild life? Responsibility is part of being human, and I for one am glad for it.

Our Home - What a Wild World!

Photographs can inspire more than video. We evaluate a video’s content instantly upon watching, moving on if it’s not captivating enough for our attention spans. But a good photo makes you stop. It provokes, and it allows you the space to sit, process, and wonder. Haven’t you ever whispered ‘wow’ upon viewing an amazing photograph?

I want to capture that awe for the natural world, so I've resumed showcasing my work on Instagram. Every day I aim to publish a compelling photograph from somewhere around the world and include some sort of personal story or interesting tidbit. This is separate from my writing here.

I want people to celebrate our home. Too easily we forget: it truly is one big beautiful amazing world. I seek to prove exactly that, day after day, with a single photo.

Picturesque Bergen

Recently I posted this picture of a street in Bergen, Norway. I was there in the summer of 2023 and became fascinated with the town. It had such an interesting history, being the most populous place in Scandinavia in the 1500's and 1600's. Back then it was mostly inhabited by Germans, functioning as a prolific artesian and trading town. Today it's still the second largest city in Norway, but minuscule in size and importance to modern Europe. You can feel this history walking the streets, yet are still connected to the surrounding water and mountains typical in Norway.

I only learned of Bergen through my research for Svalbard, and we only visited here because it was the terminus of the train and boat tour from Oslo. Yet it was this vibrant, beautiful city, tucked away on the edge of Europe. 

Our planet is full of so many interesting places. Earth is just this absolutely incredible home. If you had to create a home world for humanity from scratch, it would be this. There’s so much wonder to discover and experience. 

Guangxi Province evokes awe and wonder

I also shared a shot of the Li River. On the other side of the planet from Norway, this waterway meanders south from Guilin, China down to Yangshuo in Guangxi province. I visited this region back in 2014, as part of a grand Southern China trip. Guilin is lesser known in most of the world, but in China's it's widely considered one of the country's crown jewels of natural beauty, famous for its karst topography of green-carpeted mountains and picturesque valleys. On this trip I had taken the train from Guangzhou to Guilin, a regional hub with millions of people. It had rained heavily in the preceding week, and Guilin was a "Tier 3 city," meaning it had grown in population but its infrastructure hadn't kept up. I was headed to Yangshuo, closer to the famous scenery. But there was no way to get there because of all the rain—there was so much flooding that buses, trains and taxis were all cancelled. After talking with some locals, I realized there was only way to get down to Yangshuo that day: by raft. So I hired a man to take me down the river, enjoying a free sightseeing ride along the way. Those few hours of peace and serenity, away from the hustle and bustle, were a superb introduction to the region and all it had to offer. This all unfolded by happenstance, as things often do while traveling. What a wild world!

Earth is full of natural wonders, from the wild freedom of the ocean to far-flung volcanic islands; from the frozen deserts and tundra on the poles to the gigantic forests and jungles near the equator; from the wide open plains and steppes to the majesty of the mountains. Earth has it all. And the planet isn't empty! There are so many cultures to experience, foods to taste, customs to appreciate, and history to learn. There are lilac-breasted rollers and incredible bridges, red rock mountains and lions napping in trees. What more could we ask for?

I've always been drawn to Mary Oliver’s quote: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" It motivates me to live well and strive for adventure. The Earth is the perfect canvas to make our mark. To explore it, to experience all it has to offer, seems, to me at least, a fine way to spend our time well.

So follow my journey to document and experience this wondrous planet and all its offerings. I hope my photography inspires admiration and awe for our home. And maybe, just maybe, by appreciating our one shared world, we can unite around this most basic collective condition, and strive for a beautiful future.

Rocket Ride

Ricky wasn't really interested. He just wanted to play baseball. This was going to cost him the whole weekend, and there was definitely no baseball in space.

It was his school’s turn to go up to orbit. Part of a new federal program, all public schools were sending their 8th grade classes on a NASA space shuttle for a few hours, to "see the Earth as it really was." It started last year, and Ricky had been disinterested since the announcement by Congress. He had never really been into politics.

But although he had pleaded with his mother, she had insisted he go, that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience something most never would. All his paperwork filled out and signed, there was no more arguing—he was going.

"Everyone please take your seats and strap in. NASA staff will come around and ensure you're buckled in properly and securely," Mr. Sorenson called out. Ricky was glad he was accompanying them. Although he wasn't really into science, Mr. Sorenson was his favorite teacher. He was always nice to Ricky, and he did a pretty good job of making science cool, or at least not boring.

It seemed forever for all the checks and preparations to be completed. Many of his classmates were chatting away excitedly, wondering how the “rocket ride” would go, what zero gravity would feel like. A feeling of anxiousness permeated the room. This was a first-time experience for everyone, Mr. Sorenson and the other chaperones included. Only the NASA staff on board had any understanding of what was to come.

The countdown started. Ricky began to feel really nervous. “Nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, sixteen..." He couldn't believe this was actually happening. His heart started racing. "Four, three, two, one, ignition!" An incredible noise filled his eardrums. The space shuttle began shaking violently, and as he and his classmates were pressed hard against the backs of their seats, he could feel them rising upward in the sky.

"Just keep calm everyone, we'll be up in the atmosphere in less than 4 minutes," the shuttle commander called out. All around him, kids were yelling and screaming, NASA staff and chaperones doing their best to quell their fear. Ricky closed his eyes and tried to block out all the chaos.

Before he knew it, he felt a queasy stomach sensation as the shuttle leveled out. NASA staff began unstrapping, and were floating, actually floating. They maneuvered to each passenger, unbuckling their seatbelts and herding them to windows. A stern looking woman unbuckled Ricky and asked him if he was alright. "Yea I think so," he mumbled. She nodded, unsmiling, and gently but firmly guided his wrist to the nearest window before tethering him to the railing.

It was here, in that first moment of looking out, that changed Ricky's life. He was transfixed with the vast Earth stretched out before him, a giant, glowing surface, more brilliant blue than he could imagine. There was an enormous weight to what he was viewing, this magnificent sphere occupying his whole field of vision. Thousands of miles below, he could see pure white swirls of cloud and the outline of a continent.

"That's Asia, can you see the steppes of China and Mongolia?" Mr. Sorenson asked him. Ricky hadn’t noticed him, being so enraptured with the view. "It looks so... beautiful,” Ricky commented softly. He felt lame using that word—​beautiful? But that was all he could muster. He couldn't describe how he felt, the emotions he was feeling.

"I know what you mean… I agree,” Mr. Sorenson replied. “It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I can't believe we live on such a miracle." They floated there silently, noses and finger tips pressed to the glass, hardly aware of anything else around them.

"Notice there are no lines down there," one of the NASA staff was saying. "We're looking down on one planet, the only one we've got. This is the only known place in the universe to have oxygen, to have an atmosphere and ecosystem capable of sustaining life. It's all we've got. We need to take care of it."

Ricky couldn't believe how he felt. He could barely process everything. This was it. This was his planet. This was his home. He felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the Earth, for all the people on it, for all the people he knew. He would never forget this. He was part of a miracle, and he had no choice now but to treasure it.

Changing Together

The world is changing, as it always is. Part of being human is adapting with it, something our species has been doing for millennia. By developing global consciousness we can impact the future of change as never before. Will we unite?

People Bringing Change

I used to be one of those cynical souls who pondered not “bringing in children to this world.” But I realized that’s precisely what it is: cynicism. How can we make the world better if we don’t bring people into it? Will the world change by preventing all future generations? Because I agree it seems unlikely the current people alive with agency will bring about global change. Maybe it’s someone young without influence who will change the world—meaning that person was brought into the world by someone. Maybe it’s you.

Finding Quiet Time

Stopping to reflect and feel the silence in Assisi, Italy - August 2019

I've been seeking more quiet time in my day-to-day life. We're so inundated with information and noise all the time. I find myself constantly indulging in podcasts or reading on my phone. Regardless whether it's social media consumption, basic web surfing, listening to health or business podcasts—it's still consumption. Consuming information all the time. And I catch myself wondering, "what do I actually think?" Like literally, do I have my own proactive thoughts? Or am I simply processing and reacting to information all the time? With technology so integrated into our lives now, slipping into this overconsumption trap feels easier than ever.

So I try to cultivate quiet mornings. I do my routine without my phone. I mediate without an app. I refrain from listening to the news until after lunch. These small changes to how I operate at home provide space, and thus clarity. I feel more connected to my Self. My thinking is slower and less frenetic. I feel I have time to be present and enjoy the morning, even though I'm not allocating any additional time before work. The evenings can be 'harder,' in that you're often tired at the end of the day. It becomes especially easy to "just want to relax." This quickly translates to endless doomscrolling on your phone or plugging into streaming services—or both. I try to put my phone on its charger and avoid turning on the TV. It sounds so simple, but these basic things better enable me to be present with my partner or actually have my own thoughts. The other secret I've found helpful is to leave my current book out in the living room where I'll see it. I find I'm much more likely to pick it up and start reading, instead of binge-watching garbage on TV, when it's sitting right there. Reading enables me to exert more control over what I consume. And when I'm reading... it's quiet.

These practices help me reclaim some presence in my daily life. And I wonder what this could mean for us all, if we extrapolated its impact to our entire society. Not that technology and information overload are alone responsible for some of the deep-rooted friction in our culture today, but what if everyone refocused their attention? What if we all got 10% better at exercising agency with our thoughts and beliefs, instead of reacting to the swirls of noise and information out in cyberspace? What if it really was that simple? It's not that much effort, it's simply a paradigm shift. It's worth a try.

Humans in Harmony

Humans are one of many animal species on Earth. Once we recognize we’re part of the planetary ecosystem, not above it, we can pursue harmony. But not before.

Onset of Summer

As the temperature heats up, molecules move faster, and that includes us. Summer is in the air in California, and its residents can’t withhold their excitement.

We’re at the precipice of one of my favorite times of the year: Mother’s and Father’s Day, the end of the school year, and the launch of summer. The year feels full of possibility, as we’re still not half way through.

How can we make this summer enjoyable, not just for ourselves, but for the world? How can we contribute just a little bit of ourselves to the larger global ecosystem?

Such considerations will enable future summers to remain enjoyable.

To See to Organize

The ability to organize is the hallmark of our species. It is what separates us from the other living things on this planet: to coordinate, to distribute resources, to distribute effort and labor. One would think our organization results would increase linearly across the rise of technology and civilization. That we would be many orders of magnitude further along the graph to our cohesiveness as one species.

And yet it feels we are more disunited than ever. We still engage in war, and prejudice appears rampant. Even while not fighting with violence, politically we could not be more separated, and the threat of violence lurks sinisterly.

We must step outside of ourselves and see the bigger picture, view our species across thousands of years. To come together is the only way to avoid peril. To see our species as one, to eliminate othering, is the only way we’ll manage organizing on a planetary scale, and thus be able to solve our global problems. We can take the leap to global consciousness. We have the technology and the tools. We only need to see.

Critical Thinking in Today’s World

Biologically we aim to assimilate. In marketing, we aim to be different.

As consumers we’re attracted to the bright and shiny, so ads are catchy and evoke emotion.

And in today’s world, it becomes increasingly difficult to discern when we’re being sold to. I believe it should be wrapped into every level of education.

Our ability to think critically will be the last bastion in an ever changing world.

The Need for Sociology in Today's Technological World

“Sociology is the study of human society… human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture…” so says Wikipedia. It helps us understand social change.

This field of study is often met with derision. But as the exponential acceleration of technological progression continues to dramatically alter our world, it’s clear Sociology is not only necessary but paramount. How our phones affect us shouldn’t just be studied on a neurobiological level, but on the grand stage of society.

Humans have always lived in groups. We are the orcas of the land, and our tools extend the size and reach of our pods. How we organize socially has determined our history and defines our fate. Understanding our sociology can help identify incentives, and ultimately inspire change.

Artificial Intelligence Considerations

Despite all the chatter, no one knows the outcome of our dance with AI. It's ironic that Dune Part 2 premiered this month, when its source novel provides:

“Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.”

And:

"Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of human mind."

I'm not against development of more capable AI. But we seem too eager to seize value from its capabilities without considering consequences. Everything has consequences in this universe; it's basic physics.

Do we understand the potential consequences of General Artificial Intelligence? Are such repercussions primarily due to the technology itself, or the culture and societal structure within which it grows?

Technology rarely leads to pure salvation or destruction, but the hype feels real that AI could be either. Can we bend it to further raise global consciousness? It's unclear where to go from here, but worth our deliberation.

H&H for All

We can make the world better than it is today, for our children and all those who come after us. It’s a sacred responsibility of every generation. We just can’t lose hope if we feel the current trajectory is not positive. We can change it. We can do anything if we develop a global consciousness to guide our technology. We can do anything if we unite humanity toward a common purpose: health and happiness for all. We can do anything if we inspire change. We can change the world.

Transform the World through Action

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

— Margaret Mead

In the midst of today's circumstances, it's easy to succumb to frustration and hopelessness regarding the state of our world. I've come to realize that many share these sentiments, accompanied by a common misconception: taking action is too daunting, too risky, or too ineffective.

I challenge this misconception. It’s possible to demonstrate why action is the key to forging a better world.

What Constitutes Action and Why Is It Significant?

Action refers to any form of behavior that aims to accomplish a goal or instigate change. It can manifest on an individual or collective level, spanning the spectrum from small-scale to grand, and can occur both online and offline. Voting, protesting, volunteering, donating, and speaking up are all action. Action holds immense importance because it is the sole means of effecting change. Without action, nothing transpires. Without action, problems persist, injustices prevail, and opportunities slip away. Without action, we passively witness our own fate.

Yet, through action, we can shape our destiny. Through action, we can resolve problems, combat injustices, and seize opportunities. Through action, we inspire others, influence policies, and transform societies. Through action, we can change the world.

History offers countless examples action revolutionizing our world. The civil rights movement, the environmental movement, the women’s’ rights movement, and a plethora of others…each of these was propelled by individuals who took action on their beliefs, and they made a difference.

What Hinders Us From Taking Action?

If action results in change, why do we not engage in it more frequently? The answer is simple: it's not easy. Taking action demands courage, commitment, and effort. It entails risks, challenges, and uncertainties. Many different factors can impede us from taking action:

• Fear: we may fear failure, rejection, criticism, or conflict. Concerns about the consequences of our actions or the reactions of others are naturally engrained in us biologically

• Doubt: we may doubt ourselves, our abilities, our ideas, or our impact. We may question whether we possess the adequacy, intelligence, or qualifications necessary to take action

• Apathy: we may not care enough about a given issue or its outcome. We might believe it has no personal bearing or consider it unworthy of our time and energy

• Ignorance: we may lack true comprehensive knowledge about the issue or potential solutions. We may not have the information, skills, or resources required to take effective action

• Comfort: our existing circumstances may provide a safety net of comfort, or we may be overly attached to our habits and routines. We may resist change and shy away from challenge

While these factors are understandable and perhaps even prevalent, they are not insurmountable. Every one of us can overcome all of them, if we believe and see the value of true change.

Overcome Barriers and Initiate Action

The good news: we can overcome these barriers and act today. One can find their passion by identifying an issue that resonates with them on a personal and emotional level. There’s something happening in the world that can spark every person’s interest, curiosity, or anger. We can find our motivation, reminding ourselves why we want to take action and what we want to achieve. We can consider the benefits of taking action and the costs of remaining inert. Our actions make a difference for ourselves and others.

Perhaps one of the biggest pieces is information. We have to educate ourselves about a given issue and its potential solutions. This means conducting thorough research and finding reputable sources of data. If we seek out diverse perspectives and opinions while maintaining a requirement for evidence, we can learn the context and circumstances around any issue and seek to solve it with integrity.

Finally, it’s necessary to find resources and allies that can help. There are a myriad of tools and platforms that enable action. Leveraging social media to raise awareness, mobilizing support through online communities, and starting online petitions to demand change from decision-makers—these are all accessible to the average citizen. And there are like-minded individuals who share the same passions and motivations—we just have to connect with them. Various groups and organizations working on every imaginable issue are out there.

Action Transforms the World

Action transforms the world because it transforms us. It reshapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It redefines our relationships with others and our ability to influence them. It reconfigures our environment and our responses to it. Each of us possesses the power to change the world today. We can’t wait for others to act on our behalf or for someone to grant us permission to take action. We simply need to start, to act. So begin by contacting your local representative and articulating the issue you care about, along with the solution you wish them to support. Sign a petition demanding increased funding for renewable energy research. Join a group organizing monthly clean-ups in your neighborhood. Take one small step today that will enable greater strides tomorrow. We have the capacity to achieve it. We have the ability to change the world.

Choice to Change

Sometimes there’s fight required to maintain positivity or hope. It’s not always easy to ward off the negativity or despair. However, we always have a choice. We can choose to give in, or to make our own way in our terms. Every single human being has that power of choice. Can we collectively harness it towards a better world? Can we say “no” to negativity and choose to change the world?

Social Change

One of the drawbacks of modern living, at least in many parts of the world, is our lack of community. In our series of boxes (our homes, our cars, our work spaces) we are separated from each other. It becomes difficult to form or maintain a sense of community, and it’s commonplace for a tribe to never develop. And yet this is who we are biologically. We are tribal creatures, animals that crave and require social interaction. We can change this, and make it a priority for ourselves and our local communities. Perhaps this simple recognition, and a collective decision to change it, will profoundly change our species and our planet, further pushing us toward a global consciousness. Equipped with our technology, we can retain our most basic humanity while thinking and behaving as one united species. Together, we can change the world.

Good Conversation

I truly believe most people in the world are good. Striking a conversation with the average person usually results in learning and laughter. How quick can we recognize this very basic phenomenon compared to all the technological innovation?

Changing Soup

If we are indeed part of one universe soup, and we do in fact have free will, or agency, then our purpose is to better the composition of the soup. Any refinement also improves our own situation, because we’re in the soup, and perhaps that’s where we get caught up. But we’re just one part, one small minuscule component of it. The point is the soup. If we can view it holistically, as part of it, its composition is blinding, overwhelming. And we can feel our unbreakable connection to it, to everything. Our purpose is beyond ourselves; it’s the soup. Or put another way, we can change the world.

40 year investment

I wonder sometimes when we’ll recognize the significance of a 40 year investment. That is what it takes for us to see the dividends of a child today. Their education at five years old changed the landscape of what’s possible, in 40 years. Solid consistent build up of high expectations, critical thinking skills, and elevated literacy and numeracy… what could that do for the world in 40 years, at scale? Can we collectively decide the investment would pay for itself?

Tribal Betterment

How are you making life better for your tribe? I think that’s the question we can all ask ourselves, because our tribe goes beyond our immediate family. If we focus on the betterment of others’ experience, collectively, we’ll recognize we all want the same things. And perhaps then we connect our tribes in a meaningful, powerful way, that truly enables us to change the world.