An Elephant Day

Well I had never touched an elephant before. I guess there’s a first time for everything. I’ve seen African elephants in the wild, big bruising bulls and large herds with babies. It’s majestic when you watch them. But outside of a zoo, Asian elephants were new to me. After spending some good time with always-hungry Kamdi, insistent Kam-Noi, and laid back Samlan, I can confirm they’re beautiful, intelligent creatures. How cool is it that Earth has elephants?! They have trunks! And they’re huge! They really are gentle giants. I was pretty nervous to feed them the first time, but after some one-on-one time with Samlan and then Kamdi, I couldn’t get enough of them. After lunch and between activities I would hurry over to the elephant yard to spend time with them. I was amazed by our connection—I could feel their emotions, I could sense their mood and disposition. I know they could feel mine as well. In that sense, it was similar to the bond you develop with a dog—if your dog weighed 7000 pounds. It was utterly surreal, and I’ll always remember my day with the elephants.

During this whole experience today, something kept churning in the back of my mind. I even voiced it to Kamdi when were hanging out together. If we want to enjoy an incredibly diverse planet, with jungles and elephants, we need to halt and reverse climate change. The media already tells you how badly it will affect coastal regions and the world’s poorest humans. But it will impact these magnificent creatures, and so many others, just as much. Do you want your children to read about elephants and tigers and polar bears in books? Or do you want them to physically experience them with their own eyes? The choice is ours. Act now, or teach regret in our history books. We can do this. We can change the world. If not for ourselves, do it for those who will come after us. Do it for the elephants.

Planetary Priorities

Tom Steyer ended his presidential bid today, and although it was long expected, its actuality strengthened some lingering frustrations for me. He spent more than $200 million on his campaign—that’s 200,000,000. And while I understand everything costs money, I struggle reading Steyer’s and Bloomberg’s advertising figures. Combined, they’ve spent over $700 million on their presidential campaigns. They have the right to spend their money however they want, and they have the right to run for president. But given their (generally assumed) poor chances, wouldn’t the money be better spent elsewhere? We have some big problems to solve, and solutions cost money. High-profile public figures need to set an example for poorer citizens to follow. Together, we can change the world. But all of us need to prioritize to make it happen.

Grateful to Leap

I feel February 29th doesn’t get its just due. It only happens every 4 years! We get an extra day this year! An extra day to learn, to experience, to live. Maybe Leap Year Day can become Gratitude Day. A day to rejoice that we’re alive, right now, in the year 2020, with so much technology and convenience, on this amazing beautiful planet. This is life. We are alive. There’s so much to be grateful for. It truly is wondrous. Go do what you makes you feel alive. Soak in the present moment. Imagine and dream and create. Happy Leap Year, and Happy Gratitude Day. 

Reading Lenses

Today was a travel day with a lot of waiting time, so I got to finish Sightseeing by Rattawut Lapcharoensap. It’s a small book comprised of 7 short stories that immerse you into each narrator’s arduous circumstances, all taking place in Thailand. Although somewhat depressing, the book proves very thought-provoking. 

When we travel, do we really experience the true essence of the places we visit? A lot of the time...no. Especially when there’s a large economic gap between visitors and locals. By chance I was born to a middle class family in the United States, and thus I have this privileged ability to see other countries. So many Thais do not have such luxury. Sightseeing helps me understand how they view “farangs,” how odd we most be in so many ways, from their perspective.

But are our cultures that different? We’re so quick to observe and detail all our differences, and there are many. It’s easy. It’s convenient for our egos and our worldview to automatically put people in boxes, to dismiss them to the “other.” We forget that we all eat and sleep and shit and play and make love. Every culture dances and sings, if only to different music. Every person hopes for some sense of community and solidarity. We all want to be happy. We all want our tribes to be happy, and safe and successful. We laugh and cry in one language, for the same reasons. 

It seems the real divisions stem from economics. I’ve found it much easier to assimilate into the cultures of South America and Europe, and a lot harder to fathom the inescapability of the poverty in Africa and Asia. Perhaps if we can solve our most pressing economic issues, we can make progress on our collective humanity. 

All these thoughts from a few short stories—such is the transformation of reading. Putting on others’ shoes, even through literature, helps us see more. Same old eyes, different perception. But no matter how many enriching perspectives we entertain, it remains clear to me: we are one. 

The Human Story

How much art and money has gone into religion, all around the world, throughout human history? I found myself asking this question today as I took in Bangkok’s main sights. The craftsmanship and level of detail in these temples is incredible. There seems to be a different aura around religious structures than opulent state buildings—it’s like the artists’ religious fervor is evident in the art. These relics and edifices are important parts of our human story, and they can be found in all cultures all around the globe. It’s clear what each people valued. For the most part, our species now channels its creativity and wealth into other endeavors. What will it look like as we move forward towards the future?

Two Worlds, One Country

It’s amazing how different two places within one country can be. Koh Lanta and Krabi, down on the narrow Kra Isthmus in the southern part of Thailand, are chill beach paradises. The pace of life is slow and leisurely, and many locals appear relaxed even at work. Life is simple in these areas. 

Bangkok is a whole other animal. This city is dirty and smelly, but most of all, alive. People sell all kinds of street food throughout the metropolis. Buddhist temples cover the city, especially in the old town. Locals are still friendly, but they’re on a time crunch here. Ya gotta make money. But there’s a quiet charm to it all. Bangkok feels like an up-and-coming Hong Kong, but with more warmth. The surrounding skyscrapers in the distance allude to its continuing modernization and development—but you can still disappear into tiny alleys far removed from any tech. 

Two completely different places in one country, an hour’s flight apart. If such distinctions can exist within such a “small” area, as part of one national identity, how different can the various parts of the world get? Incredibly so. Diversity is one of our species’ most beautiful traits. Let’s experience it and celebrate it. It’s a crazy world and I absolutely love exploring it. 

To Learn is to Live

I’m a strong advocate for continuous learning, that we should keep learning our entire lives. A key component of this viewpoint is our exposure to learning, particularly when we are young. Timing matters. Someone who makes a habit of learning when they’re eight years old will have a much different trajectory in life than someone who starts at thirty. When we are exposed to new ideas and concepts we are forced to think critically. It requires us to do an inventory of new information, analyze and prioritize that information, and then make a conscientious best-decision. This goes beyond academia—it makes us better citizens. Exposure and openness are prerequisites to life-long learning, and championing those values leads to a healthier, smarter, more robust society. They say the only constant in life is change. Therefore to live, and thrive, is to adapt. Why would we ever stop learning?

Current Silver Lining

The coronavirus outbreak has reinforced one notion to me in particular: Consideration is the most important trait to practice when traveling. You’re among other people more when you’re flying, taking the bus, or checking into your hotel than when you’re at home. You’re in a shared public space. Especially with this outbreak, we need to consider others. If there’s one benefit to this situation, it’s our increased understanding of the advantages of consideration and cooperation.

Voter Thoughts

I voted today in the national presidential primary and California state elections. It always takes me longer than I expect; it’s time-consuming to ensure you know all the candidates and initiatives so you can think critically about your voting decisions. It’s never a one day process either—I’ve been thinking about the presidential and legislative candidates for some time, as well as an important proposition on my ballot. The presidential candidates get all the attention, but I think it’s important to remember that it’s Congress who makes the laws. The office of the president has assumed and accumulated more and more power over the past 100 years, but it is our elected officials in the House and Senate who are charged with serving their constituents. The executive branch, in theory, just executes. 

There’s always a sense of responsibility when I vote. It’s my civic duty to be informed and choose my government so that it best serves my fellow citizens. I find the misattributed Mark Twain quote thought-provoking, but I reject it. It is not only our privilege and our right, but our responsibility. The future is ours, it is what we make it. We have the power to collectively affect the outcome of history. We can empower our communities. We can change the world. Why sit quietly in the corner or purposefully remain ignorant of the lyrics when we can dance to the music? This is our opportunity. Let’s make songs to be sung long after we’re gone.

Words with Weight

Beware of words with weight; these are buzzwords that invoke strong feelings and broach emotional arguments. Words that hold significant weight in our social consciousness are often shrouded in controversy. Just speaking a heavy word aloud causes our thoughts to ripple. In this sense these words maintain a gravity that affects our ideas and beliefs. Here are some prominent examples:

“The Future” — inherently unknowable and thus it scares people. Grand definitive statements about the future anger people if it’s not what they envision. 

“Social media” — is changing how we interact with the world. It holds tremendous power but can often be deployed in destructive ways. Mentioning it in discussions reminds us of these facts. 

“Socialism” — still conjures images of a big bad USSR. It seems many equate socialism to totalitarianism.

“Trump” — self explanatory, it feels like every person is on one end of the spectrum, either hating or loving him.

“Coronavirus” — immediately prompts thoughts of the state of the world and its future.

“Democrat” or “Republican” — infuses identity politics into any conversation.

“Brexit” — incites strong feelings of sovereignty or internationalism.

“Fake News” — assaults our trust in the current system. Can we believe corporations or the government?

“Climate change” — exposes your scientific literacy and creates a binary discussion environment.

“Porn” — conveys taboo but also provokes curiosity. For a while now it’s been popular to use the word “porn” to make compound words that convey something addicting or satiating, i.e. “food-porn.”

If we are aware of the current heaviest words in our society, we can use them carefully and hold productive discussions about our world. As I’ve written about previously, these conversations are important to maintaining an informed, educated, open, and egalitarian society. Per usual, awareness leads the way. 

Changing Our Future

I realized today that I’ve become utterly pessimistic about the future of our world. When you look at climate change statistics and estimates and also follow the news and how the world is (not) handling this crisis, it gets scary. As an individual it feels like there’s nothing you can do. I’ve just now realized consciously: I’m afraid for the human race and for the future of the planet.

But fuck that. I also have a choice. I can choose how I feel and how I look at the future. And from today onwards, I’m choosing to become an optimist about the future. We can change the world! And we will. We can stop climate change and make the world a sustainable and wonderful place for future generations. 

Think of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the nuclear arms race between the USSR and the United States during the last half of the last century. People were scared we were going to blow up the world. But we didn’t. And we won’t succumb to climate change now. We will rally, we will cooperate, and we will change the trajectory of our world. Let’s view our current circumstances as humanity’s greatest ever opportunity to change our world. 

Once you choose to believe this, action must follow. So let’s do all we can. Vote for a presidential candidate who will fight climate change to the death—and more importantly, because Congress is the body who makes laws in the United States—vote for congressional candidates who will fight climate change to the death. Contact your representatives at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure they do all in their power to keep our planet inhabitable. Buy from sustainable sources and environmentally conscious companies; boycott those who refuse to adapt. Adopt zero waste principles in how you run your household. Eat less meat. Cycle to work. Use community transport. Talk about climate change to others and persuade them to act. Donate your time and money to organizations that are fighting for the environment. Reduce your consumption. Reuse what you already own. Recycle. 

This crisis is global—we cannot leave it to scientists and policy makers. We all must act. We must do anything and everything in our power to avert catastrophe. We can change the future. But the moment is now. Let’s change the world. Let’s save it. 

The Best in Us

After today (what day is it?) I can tell you the coronavirus is a real threat that is being taken seriously. The check-in counter employee in Bali’s airport last night asked me if I had been to China recently. Airport security and maintenance employees in Bali, Singapore, and Thailand all wear face masks. Even the crew on both flights wore them. Upon arrival, the airports in this part of the world measure incoming passengers’ temperatures. With how connected our world is today, this outbreak has potentially frightening implications. But the world is rallying together to minimize its damage. When faced with something acute that affects us all, we cooperate. Humanity has hope, and that hope is ourselves, the best in all of us. 

Balinese Reflection

My time has come to an end in Bali. It’s been a great adventure here, and just as enjoyable to reflect back on the journey. Bali truly is an island of the gods. There are temples and shrines everywhere you look. No matter how many foreigners visit these religious sites, the locals revere their cultural and religious heritage. Tourism has pervaded the island to a degree, but underneath that gall, even in places like Kuta, kindness persists. The locals almost always greet you with a smile. And why not? In Bali, life is good. The weather is pristine, the scenery is gorgeous, the food is cheap and good, and people are happy. Denpasar and Kuta in the south are very different from Ubud in the center, as well as Lovina in the north. It seems the further up you go, the greater the ratio of locals to tourists. There’s something here. Life is not perfect in Bali (as a quick scooter ride in the traffic will show you), but it’s not supposed to be. The island is at ease with the way life is. That’s been perhaps my greatest lesson here. Sometimes we need to slow down, be still, and let peace flow through us. In this big beautiful amazing world, Bali is a wonderful place to learn such lessons. I’ll be back.

Encouraging Earth News

Jeff Bezos, the wealthiest person in the world, has announced he is starting the $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund to help fight climate change. I praise this as a good start. He notes that “big companies, small companies, nation states, global organizations, and individuals” all need to contribute to eliminating the greatest threat in the history of our species. I agree, and it starts with individuals. 

Consider, Bezos just pledged $10 billion to support climate change efforts. Last year, Amazon donated $100 million towards environmental conservation. (Do you know how many 100 millions are in 10 billion? 100! We can’t even fathom 100 million, so just try to appreciate that 10 billion is A LOT.) And why did they? Because their employees demanded it and threatened to walk out. 

Why do you think the Green New Deal is so prominently featured in Democratic primary campaigns? Because people have voiced it’s important to them, and it will help get that candidate votes. 

Who starts international organizations dedicated to climate change? Individuals, outside of governments or big companies, who are deeply committed to solving this crisis. 

It all starts with individuals. If we collectively live sustainably, and if we make our voices heard, big change will happen across these other large entities. 

Thank you Jeff Bezos for keeping the ball rolling. We can beat this. Let’s keep pushing toward saving this big beautiful amazing world. 

Presidential Musings

Although I don’t consider myself very patriotic, I hold a deep if peculiar respect for President’s Day. Especially concerning the current political polarization in America, I believe it’s important to honor the people who have made some of the greatest impacts on the United States, as well as reflect on where we stand today. 

I always specifically think of 3 men on this day. It all started with Washington, from how he purposefully remained unaffiliated with any political party to his being adamant about serving only two terms. He set the standard for those who followed. Then it was Lincoln, who, in the country’s most vulnerable period, abolished slavery and preserved the Union. Finally, FDR guided the country through the Great Depression and World War II. None of these men were perfect, but they accomplished some important things with conviction, determination, and honor. The world would look very different today without these contributions.

Indeed it seems today is very different from those times. I hope many years from now I can look back on dozens of these holidays and see 2 things in particular: that we have once again bestowed honor to the office of the president, and that a much more diverse group of people have held that office. We must reflect on how we treat people and communicate with adversaries, and we must continue to examine ourselves and our society to ensure all peoples of all attributes have the opportunity to serve America and humanity.

Truth and Empathy

I’ve held several political conversations with people over the past week or so, as the Democratic primary race continues to heat up.

America is definitely divided. It seems unprecedented considering the country’s circumstances compared to previous periods: no in-your-face war and no overwhelming economic depression. 

A foreigner (and probably the average citizen) might often wonder, what are we so worked up about?

The hidden clues are there, if we’re aware enough to look. Tribalism. Partisanship. Identity politics. Whatever you call it, we are not empathetic toward others. Digital disinformation. Scientific illiteracy. Fake News. All deal with our inability to see truth. 

These are big problems, and they snake outwards to every branch of our political and economic systems, to the very fabric of our society. People feel like we are close to a breaking point. And then fear takes over. 

We can pull back from the brink if we bring to our attention the root of these symptoms of division. We must be aware, and we must communicate. Breathe. It’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than me. Think: Truth and Empathy. Together we can. 

Deep Conviction Questions

What do you feel most strongly about? What beliefs will you never change? (And never say never.)

Thinking deeply about the answers will stir some serious introspection.

It’s powerful to know who we truly are. Both beliefs and actions are strong indicators. 

Three of my own reflections:

Climate change evokes visceral emotions for me, yet I’ve flown all around the world. Where does that leave me?

I believe we are one species, but I’ve witnessed our differences across cultures and continents. They can seem large at times—but from a bigger perspective, a unified humanity is not that far fetched. How can I actively improve my own tolerance of our differences?

Education (and continuous learning) is the most important thing in the world; it can bring solutions and salvation. How do we convince people its value is worth the investment, how do we make it the highest priority?

You are what you think about. When we step back to examine our thinking and compare it to our behavior, sometimes there’s surprise. 

Who are you? Who do you want to be? 

We can change the world. But first we have to understand, what kind of world do we want?

This is Our Story

As I was trip planning for South East Asia, I came across so much reading detailing the war horrors suffered in this part of the world the past 70 years. I got emotional just doing a cursory information gathering of the Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese histories. As always when thinking about human conflict, Carl Sagan’s words came to mind: 

“Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.”

How can we keep doing this to each other? How are we still? The Earth is not ours; it’s a privilege, a miracle, for us to be here. How can we squander it?

We must adopt a new paradigm, a new story. We are one species, of billions, on one planet. We must develop global consciousness. It’s greater than economics, greater than politics. It’s greater than such distinctions as race, age, sex, orientation. Only by enacting a new collective story can we heal and move forward.

What do we want? Do we want for us, or for all? Now is the time to decide.

Honoring our Tribe

Your tribe matters. As primates, we need the social interaction, the solidarity that comes from familial and close relationships. 

I’ve experienced its prolonged absence twice in my life, and the effects are not fun. You miss your loved ones but you also don’t get the mental and spiritual stimulation from spending time with them. Laughter and love buoy the soul. 

Visiting new places on this vast planet can be life changing, but home is irreplaceable, and home is where your tribe resides. 

Through the strength of our personal tribes, together we can build a truly global tribe that thrives as one. 

Grain of Salt

When you travel for a long time you learn how to travel—what you like, what’s your style. This knowledge comes from experience. There’s no other way. Six months ago I might not have been able to tell you what I wanted regarding accommodation, or how to best choose between 2 destinations, but I can now. 

And there’s another of the great balancing acts in life. As we live longer to experience more, we learn, and we develop preference and routine. But we also must remain open. You never know when something new might come along, or something better.

Comfortability with maintaining that balance is what we call maturity.