I appreciate the attention to collaboration you foreground here. As a current student and future dissertator, I can relate to the fears us folks have of being scooped or having other scholars’ work encroach on our own.

It is a bit comforting to know that those fears are shared by others. But it is more comforting to know that many scholars start with the intention to help each other out, rather than view each other as competitors racing for that finish line.

All the best-
Andrew

Not that I don’t respect his accomplishments and his personal strength, but I think it’s certainly a disappointment that he carried such an authoritative attitude. I’ve gotten the impression that Scott and Franklin were kind asses as well — whereas others like Amundsen, Shackleton and Stefansson were a bit more respectful of their subordinates. I think attitude mattered less in those days, and it was more of a hardcore race against time and rivals. Again, more of an all-or-nothing fight. I think as time goes on attitude begins to matter a bit more in exploration. I see a passion to win in Peary, but not a passion for the north or its people. It seems that half of Arctic explorers just went to win, the other went to learn or to retrieve vital information.

If there is one trip I will take with my kids when they get old enough its to Nepal. It defies words. I have only read small excerpts of Herzog’s book. However, the German imprint on Annapurna region is still evident in the amazing variety of apple pies and strudles made in local bakeries all along the trek. It’s ridiculous how good they are!

Still, I try hard to be good to my friends and colleagues. Academic life attracts so many odd birds like us – people willing to devote years and years to the pursuit of arcane subjects. Why cut oneself off from the group of people who might care most about your work?

There are risks with being generous of course, but rarely have I heard about researchers who’ve been scooped. So much of any project has to do with interpretation that I think the dangers are overblown. (People who research subjects like Abraham Lincoln and the Nazi Party must get used to the crowds of fellow researchers).

As for travel, I like to wander. I usually try to get a bit lost and then find my way back to something I know. I rarely pursue big objectives – walk, look, eat. Although I must admit to a pang of jealously – Annapurna? I hope you have pictures. Did you bring a copy of Herzog with you?

I wonder if there is a way to evaluate people by the way they travel. I once trekked the Annapurna in Nepal, which was the most amazing experience of my life. Unfortunately one of my companions was a german woman completely focused on covering as much ground as possible in a day. Instead of marvelling at the sights and meeting the people she was trying to break a record or something. People like that are from a different planet…

How do YOU travel!?