Do you know the difference between taking risks and being reckless? There is a huge difference.
Being an explorer is all about taking risks. Being a true explorer is NOT about being reckless. Reckless explorers don’t last long.
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I saw a conference once where author Douglas Adams talked about a trip he made to Komodo, looking for the Komodo dragon. Being aware of that the island was not only the home of the deadly reptile but also the home of 14 different types of snakes, half of which were poisonous (some of the deadliest in the world), Mr. Adams and his team decided to visit Melbourne first.
There they met Dr. Sutherland, a poisonous snake expert. When they finally asked him what to do about these dangerous animals, he answered: “…don’t get bitten. That’s the one only thing”… “Gardening with gloves, fishing with boots, traveling with care, having half a dozen people moving in front of you making as much noise as possible”.
(The snakes pick up the vibrations and get out of your way)
“But, what do we do if we get bitten by something deadly, then” Mr. Adams asked.
“Well, what do you think you do?” the Dr. said almost disturbed “you die, of course. That’s what deadly means…”
(You may try to suck out the venom, if you are wondering –the snake poison has a high molecular weight so it won’t be absorbed by the vessels in your mouth, and the acid of your stomach would destroy it- but it won’t necessarily help much the wounded, you won’t be able to suck much of the venom and you might make the wound worse trying)
“The only answer, and I mean this quite seriously, is don’t get bitten. There is no reason why you should. Any of the snakes would get out of your way before you even see them”
This kind of statement may be a disappointment for some people, I know. It was for me when I was young -I read something similar in a book, back when I was a teenager, dreaming about being an explorer, and I didn’t feel any respect for the advice. But, that is the kind of advice I would follow today.
Taking the decision of exploring new grounds (physical or metaphoric) implies taking risks. Just remember that reckless explorers don’t tend to survive. To avoid being reckless, keep your eyes open and question everything.
I already posted about how keeping your eyes open is the first thing you need to know to become a true explorer. Here’s the second thing: question everything.
Hi there! I’m Gustavo and Frugal Science is about helping you rediscover your exploring nature and enjoying the benefits of looking life in a different way. Anybody can become a true explorer –it’s our nature-, all you need is a mindful attention and some frugal science.
Eyes open. Head up. Be prepared and pay attention. They are so simple, such elegant words to live by. I think the benefit of maturity is being able to do all of those things, yet still not feel limited in your quest to explore. Great post, as always, Gustavo!
Desi recently posted..Green Enough
I love it! Don’t get bitten! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? It is true, though, isn’t it? Those that seem to get into trouble while exploring are reckless and often don’t respect the new environment that they are in. There usually are certain common sense things that people should do in different parts of the world, so preparation is key! Great post, Gustavo! I am also a fan of Douglas Adams – read a few of his books a long time ago. ~Suerae
Suerae Stein recently posted..Fab Foto Friday – Arizona Flora
Hi Desi!
What you are saying is very, very important. Adventure is very romantic and a real good thing but exploring is much more than that. Exploring is about learning every day, every time. Thanks for help me getting this right.
Gustavo| Frugal Science recently posted..What to do amidst snakes (The second requirement to be a true explorer)
You are so right Suerae! Common sense usually works fine for avoiding unnecessary dangers, and the best part is that it doesn’t have to interfere with the real exploring which is trying to find the beauty in everything we see.
Gustavo| Frugal Science recently posted..How to tell if you are keeping you eyes open
Haha! Such common sense! =) I wish common sense would come to me as naturally! =) I find that I’m the risk taker you describe. My huge risk was coming to Peru without having a definite plan, but the point is that I did plan. I had tons of plan Bs while keeping my eyes and ears open for opportunities, making the point of staying flexible to whatever came my way. If it meant going back to Canada, I would have. Thankfully, things have turned out for the better here, so I can stay like I imagined. =)
Samantha Bangayan recently posted..A Versatile Blogger in Peru
Awesome, Samantha! I said it once and I’ll say it again: You’re my hero! That’s all about taking risks and NOT being reckless.
Gustavo | frugal science recently posted..How to avoid falling for anything.
[...] said things like: “exploring has nothing to do with being reckless” and “the only thing to learn about dealing with sneaks is to not get bitten” (for a better [...]