Wednesday, June 22, 2011
This is for anyone who wanders by: GBS has created a facebook community called Summit Journal Chat. So hope to see folks over there!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Ooh - still some life here! Unfortunately these days, I hang out on Facebook . Times have changed. I do have however, a few pals climbing Everest this year- so some invested interest there. PBob - eloquent as ever,
Tune in to my corporate website and blogs at http://www.everestmotivation.com
Or catch up on my last climb with Sir Chris Bonington in Oct 2010
Ta-ra for now
Tune in to my corporate website and blogs at http://www.everestmotivation.com
Or catch up on my last climb with Sir Chris Bonington in Oct 2010
Ta-ra for now
Saturday, November 20, 2010
BIG QUESTIONS
Do you like big questions? Me too. For instance, "Is Truth Beauty?" or "Will the universe end in a bang or a whimper?" or "What is a robin?". Take the "robin" question. I don't know what a robin is, but the robin does and because of that, it knows how to find a worm or build a nest and, from my perspective at least, when to sing in the morning. Robins probably don't spend much time thinking about what they are, because they already know and are simply too busy being robins. That's the way it is with most things in nature. In the game of life, they are already winners.
People have their own big question. "What is a human being?" Like robins, we have been very busy and we have answered a lot of questions, but I still don't think we know the answer to the one that really matters. In fact, in the game of life, we own the board and robins, as well as the rest of nature, are anxious to find out if we are going to be winners.
Sometimes, with really big questions, it can be easier to find what is not the answer. For example, what is not being human? Is it the same as being inhumane or is it just being sub-human? Is a robin sub-human? Or is "sub-human" simply a human that misses the mark? A quick look around or a short walk through history and we know the answer to that one. Pick up a paper. Examples abound. Pick a civilization. You probably don't want to go there. We have been better at not being human than almost any other creature on the planet. Quite a distinction, when you think about it.
Still thinking? That's what makes us special, isn't it? Just think of everything we've thought. Our inventions could fill the world, and just about have. Our handiwork might appear to make us more special - more human, but it's more like they've made us super-human. Can you fix a cell phone? can anyone?? Instead, just throw it away. Remember, we're filling a world. The point is that our thoughts and the changes they've wrought have created a sphere that's a bit beyond us. Our fabrications have taken on a life of their own and they've begun to consume us. Sadly, the super-human side of us has an unsustainable flavor, which is almost never helpful when answering really big questions.
So there we have it. The planet is busting with people, yet authentic human beings are in short supply, or at least in desperate need of being defined. "What is a human being?" The answer is important to everyone who values humanity - and to robins, because they would like to remain being robins. Each of us has responsibility for exactly one six point seven billionth of the answer and it's not OK to use a calculator. If we can somehow find the answer, it will make it possible to ask more questions, to build nests, find worms and, most importantly, sing in the morning.
Hoping for an expansion of humanity, this season and through the coming year...
~PBob
Do you like big questions? Me too. For instance, "Is Truth Beauty?" or "Will the universe end in a bang or a whimper?" or "What is a robin?". Take the "robin" question. I don't know what a robin is, but the robin does and because of that, it knows how to find a worm or build a nest and, from my perspective at least, when to sing in the morning. Robins probably don't spend much time thinking about what they are, because they already know and are simply too busy being robins. That's the way it is with most things in nature. In the game of life, they are already winners.
People have their own big question. "What is a human being?" Like robins, we have been very busy and we have answered a lot of questions, but I still don't think we know the answer to the one that really matters. In fact, in the game of life, we own the board and robins, as well as the rest of nature, are anxious to find out if we are going to be winners.
Sometimes, with really big questions, it can be easier to find what is not the answer. For example, what is not being human? Is it the same as being inhumane or is it just being sub-human? Is a robin sub-human? Or is "sub-human" simply a human that misses the mark? A quick look around or a short walk through history and we know the answer to that one. Pick up a paper. Examples abound. Pick a civilization. You probably don't want to go there. We have been better at not being human than almost any other creature on the planet. Quite a distinction, when you think about it.
Still thinking? That's what makes us special, isn't it? Just think of everything we've thought. Our inventions could fill the world, and just about have. Our handiwork might appear to make us more special - more human, but it's more like they've made us super-human. Can you fix a cell phone? can anyone?? Instead, just throw it away. Remember, we're filling a world. The point is that our thoughts and the changes they've wrought have created a sphere that's a bit beyond us. Our fabrications have taken on a life of their own and they've begun to consume us. Sadly, the super-human side of us has an unsustainable flavor, which is almost never helpful when answering really big questions.
So there we have it. The planet is busting with people, yet authentic human beings are in short supply, or at least in desperate need of being defined. "What is a human being?" The answer is important to everyone who values humanity - and to robins, because they would like to remain being robins. Each of us has responsibility for exactly one six point seven billionth of the answer and it's not OK to use a calculator. If we can somehow find the answer, it will make it possible to ask more questions, to build nests, find worms and, most importantly, sing in the morning.
Hoping for an expansion of humanity, this season and through the coming year...
~PBob
Monday, October 11, 2010
Hello all!
My login popped into my head again!
Recently, I watched Touching the Void on streaming Netflix. Wow! What a story.
If anyone is reading - hello - and thanks for stopping by!
My login popped into my head again!
Recently, I watched Touching the Void on streaming Netflix. Wow! What a story.
If anyone is reading - hello - and thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tim - The other day, I was digging through some old photographs and came upon one of Ed Viesturs at an autograph signing that I attended with my boys in Chicago. He was in pursuit of the "Seven Summits" at the time. I've still got his signed poster somewhere. You make a good point. He is one who has seen more than most and it's easy to forget that few of us get to choose our starting point or the context, when we set out to achieve some goal. Prior events and the juxtaposition of other strong personalities can add or detract from the public's appreciation of any given effort at the time. But over time, the true threads of the person's character leave an overriding impression that confirms what might not have been so obvious in an earlier time.
Friday, August 06, 2010
'allo PBob! I almost posted something last month but decided it was too big a decision for me to make. Anyway, I read Ed Viesturs K2 book and thought it was quite good. I had no interest until I learned the 2008 tragedy is discussed. He gives kudos to several climbers, offers perspective on some disparaged ones, and reveals the other side of the story on some who would puff themselves up. I wasn't a huge fan of Mr. Viesturs during the promotions of his attempt to be the first American to climb all the 8000m peaks--the first few climbers who accomplished this were legends whose summits included a slew of "firsts"--new routes, winter ascents, solo, etc. But this book shows a climber with maturity and balance who has gained my respect (I'm sure that's very important to him!)
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Hello anyone... I'm looking for an...ahem, "August" response to this post. Don't let the summer slip away completely....
