The 19th century was about discovering and describing nature, the 20th century was the great age of conquering nature. The 21st century will be the century of restoring nature, learning how we can live in the world, have clean air, water and food. For his part, Ambrose, the author of some 20 books on World War II and modern US history, has recently collaborated with Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard on a book and television special on the lost battlefields of the Pacific. Ballard's Titanic follow-up sees him on the trail of nothing less than the great flood of 7500 years ago. Then there's Wade Davis, whose concerns centre on the disappearance of half of the world's known languages.
Languages are the old-growth forest of the human spirit.
With their disappearance we are seeing the collapse of linguistic and cultural diversity. Languages are the expression of thoughts, dreams, ideas and beliefs brought together by human imagination since the dawn of human consciousness. But as much as anything, it's the determination to communicate these journeys, physical and mental, that is driving the Explorers' quests. We are now able to share the moment of discovery with dramatically increased audiences. Later in the day over drinks, Haslingden concedes that some in the organisation have resisted management's determination to expand National Geographic in this new phase of business opportunities and scientific exploration.