Clynes will deliver the Liberal Arts Forum Lecture titled "The Art of Audacity" on Thursday, Feb. 13, in Whitley Auditorium. Admission is free and no ticket is required.
Calling all adventure seekers! As part of the Liberal Arts Forum, Elon this week will host National Geographic author and photographer Tom Clynes who will deliver a talk titled “The Art of Audacity.” He will be bring his “audacious” adventures and travel experiences to Whitley Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and no ticket is required.
In advance of his visit, Clynes talked about what audacity means to him, the meaning of the French term “depaysement” and he shared travel advice.
What does audacity mean to you?
Audacity is typically defined as a willingness to take bold risks. Most of us have the capacity within us to do amazing things, but we often don鈥檛 believe it. When we do, when we believe we can actually make a difference, actually change the world, that鈥檚 audacity.
How does your job at National Geographic influence your day to day life and travels?
My job reporting for National Geographic and other publications is sometimes amazing, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes utterly ridiculous. I travel hard, in logistically challenging places, and I don’t mind a bit of deprivation: I’d rather be uncomfortable than miss out on something interesting or beautiful. Americans are known as uninspired travelers, but some of us crave something more. I understand that a lot of 福利亚洲国产精品 students fit into that category, so I鈥檓 really looking forward to meeting everyone Thursday!
After all of your years of travel, what still excites you about it and why?
For me, it鈥檚 still fundamentally about curiosity. I鈥檓 curious about everything and everyone. No matter how much I read or see on a screen, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檒l be truly well-informed if I鈥檓 seeing the world mainly through other people鈥檚 filters. I believe that it鈥檚 intrinsically worthwhile to venture out and discover, for myself, what鈥檚 happening out there.
What is a piece of advice that you have for people who are just beginning to travel frequently?
Make friends with uncertainty. The French have a word, “depaysement,” that refers to the unsettled feeling you get when you leave your safe confines and travel to a place that鈥檚 outrageously different. It鈥檚 an energizing rush that puts you fabulously off-balance. It鈥檚 unsettling, but liberating. And it鈥檚 an incredible confidence-builder.