You Can Visit All Seven Continents. But Should You? Peak Travel podcast

50:30

Episode Notes [00:00] The Importance of Questioning [01:21] Introduction to Curated Questions [02:20] Meet Kevin Kelly [03:56] Kevin Kelly's Mentor: Stewart Brand [05:33] The Role of Questions in Intellectual Traditions [06:47] Disequilibrium and Growth [10:21] Embodied Questions and Exploration [11:11] Balancing Exploration and Exploitation [11:50] The Inefficiency of Questioning [15:53] The Abundance Mindset [18:39] The Inevitable and Quality Questions [19:26] Hill Climbing vs. Hill Making [22:28] The Challenge of Innovation [24:13] The Beauty of Engineering and Innovation [24:34] Navigating the Frontier of New Technologies [25:33] The Role of AI in Question Formulation [26:43] Challenges in Advancing AI Capabilities [29:11] The Long Now Foundation and the 10,000 Year Clock [29:56] Transmitting Values Over Time [31:03] Ethics in AI and Self-Driving Cars [33:26] The Art of Questioning [34:04] Photography: Capturing vs. Creating [36:12] The Inefficiency of Exploration [38:36] Daily Practice and Long-Term Success [40:17] The Importance of Quantity for Quality [43:22] Final Thoughts and Encouragement on Questioning [46:24] Summary Takeaways Resources Mentioned Wired Magazine Whole Earth Review WELL Hackers Conference What Technology Wants by Kevin Kelly The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly Cool Tools Project Long Now Foundation Stewart Brand Socratic Method Koan René Descartes Conde Nast Vouge Olivetti Typewriter Trolley Problem Terry Gross Lex Friedman Tim Ferriss KK.org Kevin2Kelly on Instagram Recomendo Newsletter Excellent Advice for Living Beauty Pill Producer Ben Ford Questions Asked When did you first understand the power of questions? Can I do that? Can that be something that you can learn? How did questions function differently between Eastern versus Western intellectual traditions? What role do you think embodied questions those we explore through doing rather than thinking play in developing wisdom? What's on the other side of the hill? What happens if you go to the end? What's the origin of this? How should one think about the exploratory in one's life? Is there anything that you would add to your list of 15 statements that define what makes a quality question? Is there a qualitative difference between the questions humans are asking and the questions our AI systems are beginning to formulate? What do you think would help them get there? Any idea on a forcing function on how we get them [LLMs] to ask the better questions so that they might improve in that direction? What were some novel questions that broke your brain at the time in thinking about this 10,000-year clock or beyond? What's it good for? What would you use it for? What else could you do over the long term for 10,000 years? How do you transmit values over time? How do you evolve values that need to change, and how do you make a difference? How do even know what you don't want to change? What do you want to continue? What's the most essential aspects of our civilization that we don't want to go away? What are the rules? What is the system? How do you pass things along in time and not change the ones you don't wanna change, and make sure you change the ones that are more adaptable so they can adapt? What do you think about questioning itself as an art form? How has being a photographer influenced the way you question reality, visually compared to verbally? Are you a photographer that takes photos or makes photos? What will happen? What will happen next? What are your right now questions that you are wrestling with or working with in your life? Can someone else do what I'm trying to do here? Am I more me in doing my art or more me in doing the writing? Do you have any other thoughts or encouragement about questions that we haven't explored? What makes a good question? How do you ask a good question? What questions do you dwell on to be in purposeful imbalance? What is your practice in embracing the inefficient nature of questions to achieve breakthroughs? What are the new hills you can build and frontiers you can explore? How can you use your curiosity and humanity to pursue questions that trend toward the fringes?…

Peak Travel »
You Can Visit All Seven Continents. But Should You?

about a year ago 26:46

MP3•Episode home

SHOW NOTES:

Kara Weller: The Impossible Dilemma of a Polar Guide
Marilyn Raphael: A twenty-first century structural change in Antarctica’s sea ice system
Karl Watson: First Time in Antarctica
Jeb Brooks: 7 Days in Antarctica (Journey to the South Pole)
Metallica - Freeze 'Em All: Live in Antarctica

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22 episodes

#Society #Travel #WHYY

You Can Visit All Seven Continents. But Should You?

Peak Travel

24,109 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

SHOW NOTES:

Kara Weller: The Impossible Dilemma of a Polar Guide
Marilyn Raphael: A twenty-first century structural change in Antarctica’s sea ice system
Karl Watson: First Time in Antarctica
Jeb Brooks: 7 Days in Antarctica (Journey to the South Pole)
Metallica - Freeze 'Em All: Live in Antarctica

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

22 episodes

#Society #Travel #WHYY

All episodes

1
You Can Visit All Seven Continents. But Should You? 26:46

7 weeks ago26:46

26:46

For many travelers, Antarctica is a bucket-list destination, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch all seven continents. In 2023, a record-breaking 100,000 tourists made the trip. But the journey begs a fundamental question: What do we risk by traveling to a place that is supposed to be uninhabited by humans? And as the climate warms, should we really be going to Antarctica in the first place? SHOW NOTES: Kara Weller: The Impossible Dilemma of a Polar Guide Marilyn Raphael: A twenty-first century structural change in Antarctica’s sea ice system Karl Watson: First Time in Antarctica Jeb Brooks : 7 Days in Antarctica (Journey to the South Pole) Metallica - Freeze 'Em All: Live in Antarctica Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Why Petra Needs Its People 28:39

8 weeks ago28:39

28:39

For centuries, members of the B’doul Bedouin tribe lived in the caves around the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. Then, in the 1980s, the government forced the tribe to move in the name of preserving the geological site for tourists. But if the residents are forced to leave, and if their heritage has been permanently changed, then what exactly is being preserved? SHOW NOTES: Meet The Man Living in The Lost City Carved in Stone Jordan: Petra's tourism authority cracks down on Bedouin cave dwellers The tribes paying the brutal price of conservation “There is no future for Umm Sayhoun” Jordan’s Young Bedouins Are Documenting Their Traditions on TikTok Check out Sami's company Jordan Inspiration Tours Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
How a Destination Goes Viral 20:33

9 weeks ago20:33

20:33

Have you ever opened Instagram to see a bunch of people posting from the same place — Lisbon? The Amalfi Coast? Charleston? Japan? It’s no coincidence that every year, it feels like everyone is going on the exact same trips. In this episode, we’re going to pull back the curtain on the travel media industry and show you how a place becomes a viral destination. SHOW NOTES: Check out Where to Next Y’all on Instagram Read Natasha Nyanin’s stories and look through her photos on her blog The Differences Between Paid and Organic Content on Social Media Under the Influence: Social Influencers and the Travel Industry How COVID Changed Travel Writing Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Salem and the Small-Town Tourism Trap 26:15

10 weeks ago26:15

26:15

Salem, Massachusetts is best known for the Witch Trials of 1692. That history turned the small town into a Halloween destination, with more than 1 million people flocking there in the month of October alone. It’s so crowded that residents can’t get down the street, walk into a shop, or sit down at a restaurant. How does a small town like Salem deal with a flood of visitors in just one month of the year? And is it really worth it for the people who live there? SHOW NOTES: The Salem Witch Trials: A Story of Patriarchy, Persecution and Misogyny Witch Hunt: A Traveler’s Guide to the Power and Persecution of the Witch How Salem, Massachusetts Became America’s Halloween Capital Visit these 12 Halloween towns that aren’t Salem Salem residents share perspectives on tourist crowds Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Bhutan’s Radical Approach to Overtourism 20:16

11 weeks ago20:16

20:16

Many places allow tourists to visit with little restrictions. But Bhutan is different. Nestled in the Himalayas, this tiny, land-locked country has implemented a “high-value, low-impact” tourism model, including a fee that tourists have to pay each day that they visit. As more destinations grapple with the effects of overtourism, what can Bhutan teach us about how to manage it? SHOW NOTES: Bhutan celebrates 50 years of tourism It just got much cheaper to visit Bhutan (2023) Carbon Negativity in Bhutan: An Inverse Free Rider Problem What can we learn from Bhutan’s approach to sustainable tourism? Bhutan Cultural Etiquette: Dos and Don'ts When Visiting Bhutan Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Alaska’s Risky Bet on Cruises 22:01

12 weeks ago22:01

22:01

Cruises are coming to dominate the tourism industry, offering accessible and affordable vacations. And many local economies rely heavily on them to stay afloat. But activists, scientists, and residents worry about their impact on the community and the environment. Alaska has seen a boom in the cruise industry, and many of the communities affected are Indigenous. We visit two Alaskan towns to see who’s really on board. SHOW NOTES: The dangers of the Alaskan cruise by Andrew Engelson Read the latest on Ship Free Saturdays Cruise Line Report Card The economics of cruises Can cruising be green? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
How Rwanda Reinvented Itself 22:59

13 weeks ago22:59

22:59

Many westerners associate Rwanda with the brutal genocide that overtook the country 30 years ago. But since then, Rwanda has made a huge investment in tourism — building new infrastructure, museums, music venues, and more. Now, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Africa. In this episode: Rwanda’s rebirth, how tourism has changed the country, and why this compelling narrative is more complicated than it appears. SHOW NOTES: How to rebrand a country Mighty Popo’s KigaliUp Festival Support Rwanda’s School of Create Arts and Music Kigali Genocide Memorial Tourist attractions in Kigali Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Rick Steves: America’s Favorite Tour Guide 31:10

14 weeks ago31:10

31:10

If you’re an American who likes to travel, you’ve undoubtedly been influenced by Rick Steves. He’s known for his guidebooks about visiting Europe on a budget. We sit down with the beloved travel writer and TV personality to hear about his new book — and reflect on his decades-long career, how he thinks travel media has changed, and his own impact on destinations around the world. SHOW NOTES: Rick Steves’ newest book, “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer” Listen to Peak Travel host Tariro Mzezewa as a guest on Rick Steves’ podcast Travel host Rick Steves says he’s home safe after surgery Rick Steves’ website Rick Steves’ Europe YouTube channel Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
The Tourism ‘Crisis’ in San Andrés 23:48

15 weeks ago23:48

23:48

When two budget airlines collapsed in Colombia, tourism to the small island of San Andrés suddenly dropped. The travel industry makes up 90 percent of the island’s economy, and many worried this would spell a crisis for its residents. What actually happens to a popular destination when many of the tourists stop coming? SHOW NOTES: The beautiful waters of San Andrés Stay at Cleotilde Henry’s Posada Nativa Learn more about San Andrés’ history with Colombia (in Spanish) Keep up to date with Job Saas Laura López Martínez’s paper about Caribbean history Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
The Fine Art of Tailgating 19:28

16 weeks ago19:28

19:28

With an estimated 100,000 tourists heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, we’re exploring a classic American pastime: the tailgate. Most people think of tailgating as a time for sharing beers and team spirit. But in this episode, we find out why tailgating motivates so many people to travel — and get to the heart of its culture. SHOW NOTES: Your ultimate guide to Super Bowl LIX Eagles-themed party buses take over South Philly tailgates Learn more about the history of the tailgate “Cardinal” by Mt. Joy Spice up your tailgate with these NOLA inspired recipes Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Peak Travel Season 2 Trailer 2:15

17 weeks ago2:15

2:15

Travel can do amazing things: broaden horizons, build relationships, and rejuvenate the soul. But often, those experiences come at a cost. Welcome back to Peak Travel from WHYY, the show that unpacks how travel shapes communities in hot-spots around the world. We’ll share the wonder that comes with exploring new places, as well as the harm that our worst travel habits can cause. And we’ll try to figure out how we can do it better. Each episode transports you to a new destination. You’ll meet the people who call that place home, hear their stories, and come to understand how tourism has changed their everyday lives. Supported by rich, on-location sound from around the world, Peak Travel examines the $1.9 trillion travel industry and its impact on people and the planet. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Bali, Under The Influence 18:30

35 weeks ago18:30

18:30

Social media has turned Bali’s shrines and temples into a playground for disrespectful tourists, but residents are fighting to preserve the island’s integrity. SHOW NOTES: Bali Influencer Backlash Intensifies Eat, Pray, Love Trailer When a tourist in Bali gets arrested, this is the woman they call Will the Instagram vs. Reality Trend Affect Tourism in Bali? Navicula band webpage Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
The Nashville Bachelorette Party Industrial Complex 20:21

36 weeks ago20:21

20:21

Nashville has become the bachelorette party capital of the United States, and residents worry the influx of loud, visible tourists threatens the city’s reputation as a music city. SHOW NOTES: Nashville Bachelorettes: A Ben Oddo Investigation How Nashville Became One Big Bachelorette Party ACME Feed and Seed Bach to Basic website Books by Beth Montemurro Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
The Disneyfication of Barcelona 21:31

37 weeks ago21:31

21:31

The transition of Barcelona’s historic La Boqueria market from a place filled with fishmongers and specialty mushroom vendors to chain cafés and smoothie shops has made the city feel more and more like a theme park. SHOW NOTES: The Battle for the Boqueria History of the Boqueria 6 Ways the 1992 Olympics Transformed Barcelona The Disneyfication of Cities : Historic Centers as Amusement Parks for Tourists Interview with mushroom vendor Xavi Petras Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
The High Cost of Cheap Rentals in Mexico City 21:59

38 weeks ago21:59