I was scratching my head, trying to get a better handle on my fascination with travel and the reasons that mysterious aspect of the world seem to resolve themselves more easily when I am either away from home and office or when relaxed using notes and photographs to revisit interesting places. Part of the objective was to rationalize my desire to establish a website and to write books about experiece and insights gleaned during travel.
A vital clue came floating into awareness from a totally unexpected source. I was listening to Bob McDonald's CBC radio program, Quirks and Quarks on Saturday morning as I often do. He was interviewing Carol Travis about their the new book called "Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)" written with Elliot Aronson. I had the instant impression that this is an important book though I havent read it yet. Does the quick judgement illustrate the point of the book?
I was certainly had that familiar gut conviction convinced that I now knew more about why travel has that extra special aspect for me though travel was not mentioned in the interview. It also now makes sense why most people find it very much easier to accept claims being made on behalf of their political party or religious group while doubting statements made by others.
If I understand it correctly, the basic idea is that it is efficient for us to construct a world view, maintaining an open mind while we do so but then tend to view the world through distorted filters and selective memory applying a strong bias to accept and remember pieces of information that confirm our world view while rejecting or forgetting contrary evidence. "My mind is made up - don't confuse me with the facts," is perhaps an extreme expression of a phenomenon that is more often un-noticed. Could this be an important reason why many people are suspicious of science and doubt or ignore the message even while the science community is virtually shouting from the rooftops about the hazzards of climate change?
I contend that travel can be an extremely efficient as well pleasant way to reopen the mind to wonder, new perspectives and new possibilities. It is almost like sipping from the fountain of youth. I would be very pleased if you will join me on my travels
Stan Hall