We can change the world.
A street scene in San Francisco last month, February 2022
I guess people just write and talk about the same things in their life, to belabor the points that are important to them. I continuously write about the importance of our tribe, and how in a greater sense, we are one tribe as a species. It couldn’t be any more true to me tonight, and with every passing day I understand its truth more and more. We are biologically evolved to work together in groups, and we are one group now. It’s really that simple.
A St. Patrick’s Day in solitude with the Perito Moreno glacier, Argentina, March 2019
Saint Patrick’s Day was an important fixture for my family growing up as I inherit a lot of Irish heritage from my mother’s side. Tonight I look forward to the traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage with our matriarch and members of our tribe.
The innocence of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations seems long gone in our current world. A good deal of that can likely be attributed to our large problems: the effects of globalization, climate change, and our agricultural and food production issues. These problems must be addressed quickly and collectively, as I have frequently written.
But we also need to enjoy this precious moment we have in front of us right now, because the universe is amazing and beautiful. Tonight, I intend to do just that.
Absorbing the mystique of Red Square in Moscow, September 2019
How important is it to have deep conversations, with your loved ones or with anyone? I often wonder what people mean when they tell me they don’t want to talk about something “that deep.” I believe the things to which we ascribe meaning should be discussed, considered, and wondered. What it means to live, what is a full life, our values as a society, a species a planet. How miraculous our habitat is, on a regional, planetary, and galactic level. This doesn’t mean one can’t discuss sports, or celebrity gossip, or reminisce over shared stories. But talking about the larger things, the universal things that affect all of us, can bring us closer together. Because within that bigger picture, we see how similar we are, how we share one short life experience in a vast place. How are we living? Let’s talk about it.
A typical street in Arusha, Tanzania, September 2019
This blog helps me keep things in perspective. Pressure at work, or disagreements between tribe members… they are all small compared to the big picture.
We have so much to be grateful for, so much to enjoy and look forward to. And so much to make better. Let’s see it and get to it.
A gentoo penguin swims through the Southern Ocean, March 2019
Similarly, we’re all swimming in the same deep blue sea, the soup that is the universe. We come from it, live out our brief existence, and return to it. There’s some peace in that.
There’s also a compelling case to approach reality with such a paradigm: that it’s a miracle, and to squander it with war and hatred is a shame. We are alive concurrently, on this one planet, together. Can’t we swim together?
Ancient buildings near the Summer Palace in Beijing, China, October 2012
We all breathe and we all bleed. We all share this one planet, our only home. We can stand with Ukraine, but it’s important to remember most people do not want war, ordinary Russian citizens included. We also cannot ignore what’s happening in Yemen, or any other number of places. Peace is possible, but it requires a one world view. Let us see.
There are some moments that bring pure Earthly joy. Gibson Ranch Park near Sacramento, March 2022
There are the simple things: rolling hills or an approaching forest, the laughter of your tribe or the embrace in eye contact with a loved one.
These might be the essence of what we’re doing here. Of course, that’s up to each of us to figure out.
But I can’t stop thinking that this reality, this universe and this world, is the most amazing opportunity we’re ever going to get. What will we do with it?
Lines and colors fade and change from sand to ocean. Isabela island, Galapagos, Ecuador - May 2019
Gosh, in driving to Sacramento today, my main thought was: there are a lot of us. Between the Bay and the capital, you pass through several cities spaced out over 120 miles. Thousands of people live in these places.
And the way of life changes as you pass through. It’s different in Livermore and Tracy than Stockton, which differs still from Sacramento or San Jose. We envision a united strategy against climate change or war or poverty, and I do believe that’s possible, but when you drive 100 miles away, you see how daunting that challenge is.
We can achieve unity around the most important issues that affect us all, because we all want the same things in the end; health, wealth and happiness for ourselves and our tribe. We just need to recognize that although we might be one very large tribe, our diversity is astounding, and beautiful.
Peaks and valleys in the ocean water above the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia, January 2020
I’m not sure if it’s the rise of the internet and speed of communication, but we seem to rush through conclusions now. That’s on display with the cancellation of everything remotely Russian-connected.
What’s happening in Ukraine is a multi-faceted, fluid situation. It’s probably prudent to process all the information and deliberate, instead of rushing to action when emotions are high and facts are limited. Conclusions are only reached through consideration.
A church across the water against a backdrop of magnificent sky, Russia, September 2019
Exciting things happen every day. And there’s always something to look forward to; it sometimes just requires some reflection.
Despite the tragic events happening around the world, there are still things to celebrate: increased literacy, decreased hunger, and a higher standard of living overall across the world.
The negatives will always be there. Our success as a species relies on our ability to see around them, to solve them, and to strive toward the positive, amazing occurrences that are always possible.
A full view of Table Mountain. Cape Town surrounds, South Africa - December 2019
Always make time for family. That’s something I’ve learned and am still learning. As I said to my kin earlier tonight, we have this one moment, this one short lifetime, and it’s best to spend it with our tribe, those that make us feel good and provide meaning. It’s incredibly simple. Our lives are lived through our tribe.
A gentoo penguin and fur seal square off in South Georgia, March 2019
Things are starting to return to normal in my part of the world, and although it brings tension with the local population, it’s refreshing to see people living. Our way of life is already so different from our ancestors, and the pandemic accelerated the digital wave even further. We must remember that we are animals, meant to play in the dirt and grass, working together to solve challenging problems. Let’s get to it.
Passing through the mountains in Tibet, June 2013
I can’t talk about the importance of family time any more, except apparently I can. Your relationships are determined by you—I’ve learned that several times over at this point. You can be close with your extended family if you choose. Im not sure how common it is now. But the more we connect with our families, the more connected we’ll all be together. There’s bound to be some overlap right?
Quick look back at Kincaid’s upon exit. Burlingame, California - March 2022
March has always been kind of enigmatic to me. While attending a seven year old’s birthday party at a park today, it was bitterly cold wind gusts interspersed with warm moments of sunshine.
Weird things happen in March. It’s a transition time from deep winter, even here in California, into the beginnings of spring.
I was treated to a wonderful restaurant not far from my upbringing for the first time tonight, and was appalled by the grandeur. What’s a nice dinner out again?
Weird things happen in March.
The park on a different night. Mountain View, California - November 2016
I walked my dog after dark tonight, without music or a podcast. It was a nice silence. When we entered the park I had this surreal appreciation of the world's wonder. I could see the sky moving as the wind blew the clouds toward the horizon. Towering trees hundreds of feet tall encircled us. I thought to myself: we're on this huge floating sphere and there's things growing on it and there's stuff walking around. How incredible? Even in a 'mundane' suburban public park you can appreciate Earth's majesty. It just requires some silence. Don't break it. Hold it and feast.
Two children playing on the beach, San Francisco, February 2022
I told someone today that life is surreal. I feel that more and more as I get older. Simple things like visiting a sick relative become incredibly important, the single most important thing about your day. Cherishing supposedly banal moments with your significant other can be easy. It only requires a perspective on how amazing all this is, a longitudinal lens on space and time. Every passing minute of existence becomes utterly fantastical. Our experience transforms when we evoke this level of presence. And we can do it at any single time.
Taking in a sunset on the Amazon River, Peru, April 2019
I’ve been refocusing on my daily mediation and it’s made me consider the breath more in general. Breathing is something every single human being on the planet does, every minute of their life, awake or asleep. Every human who has ever lived has breathed. Surely there must be some connection to this universally shared characteristic? It is what keeps us alive, and in a way it is life itself for us, and most other animals. What a peculiar planet we live on, with such a unique atmospheric composition, that results in us animals needing to breathe. Our breath is part of the Earth. And we are all one in breath.
Surveying the path ahead in Manly, Australia, January 2020
It’s a different scene tonight during the State of the Union. Few masks are visible. Both people behind the speaking President are women. And the speech starts with commentary of an ongoing war.
Yes many things are different tonight. But I always begin watching this annual speech with hope in my heart—that we can come together as a nation.
That has seemed far fetched in recent times, any American could tell you that. But it is not impossible. It can start tonight, if we choose.
What do we want to be as a country, as a society? Can we withstand hearing differing opinions, while continuing to find solutions together?
We can start tonight, if we choose. The words spoken tonight matter, but not as much as how we process them, and whether we choose to use our own voices in building a better world.
The tomb of Christopher Columbus, Catedral de Sevilla, August 2019
Sometimes even a morose Monday can feel good when you end it with your tribe. I’ve realized how important that is as I’ve gotten older. The people in your life are what matters most. It’s time we recognize that not just for ourselves, but for the whole world.
Calm before the storm at the baby shower yesterday, Mountain View, California
It’s an amazing world, and we’re just living in it. We can so easily forget how magical our existence is in this universe. But here we are. When we connect with that reality, we obtain meaning, and things get a lot more interesting.