Exploring the Unknown

My friend and colleague Rachel has written an insightful blog entry on getting comfortable with the unknown. I hope you will visit and read it at :http://whynotrachel.wordpress.com/.
It stimulated some of my own thoughts that I wanted to share.

It is human nature to want to explore the unknown. Our curiosity, thirst for knowledge and drive for problem solving propels us toward exploration, discovery and innovation. It is our quest to discover new worlds and new frontiers.

Change is in our DNA. As sensing beings we register change, not stasis. We figuratively and literally die, if we do not change. Brain scientists are discovering that one of the most critical factors to avoiding dementia is learning new things. We used to think that the brain reached its level of development in early adulthood and didn't change after that. We now know that is not true. Our brains have a high degree of plasticity which gives it the ability to lay down new circuitry and make new connections. This enables us to learn new things, expand thoughts and attitudes, and also to relearn abilities that were once thought to be lost after stroke or paralysis.

As human beings, we are really change beings. We thrive on challenge and overcoming the 'impossible'. A classic example of our ability to explore the unknown came in the early 60's when JFK issued the challenge to land a man on the moon and get him back by the end of the decade. At the time he issued that challenge, the scientists in the National Labs, were all fully involved and committed to other projects. We did not have the rocket fuel, or the materials to build a space ship that could go that distance, let alone safely re-enter the atmosphere. Yet, these brilliant minds were re-directed, and we did invent everything needed to successfully accomplish this goal before the end of the decade.

Those qualities that were used to address the challenge of the 60s remain latent in us as today.
I think we are hungry for a similar challenge. One that calls us forward to a common goal. One requires us to to become greater individually and collectively than we are today.

There are several issues we face today that would lend themselves to this kind of challenging, seemingly impossible mission. The threat of global warming and the need to become energy independent is a striking example. If we apply the best within us, to explore this unknown territory and generate the innovation we are capable of, we can find the solutions needed and reinvigorate our economy at the same time.

I think we are not only capable of meeting such a challenge but would thrive on it.
Bring it on.