Monday was a great day.
I made my way up to the University of Tokyo with great anticipation. Jane Goodall (THE Jane Goodall) was going to give a lecture on campus. And I got to see her, AND hear her speak, AND get her autograph.
Sigh. I love her.
Jane told lots of stories about Gombe, where she did her research, and the chimpanzees there. She even told us about her childhood and the important role that her mother played. But the most refreshing part of her talk was her hope. She came to speak to us primarily as a conservationist, and most her field have messages that are overwhelmingly depressing and desperate. Maybe the situation is desperate, I don't know, but looking at the whole picture is more than we can handle. Jane admitted that we are in bad shape. But she had amazing hope for the oodles of young people living and acting responsibly, those choosing to not just learn, but to act and tell. Coming from a woman whose done natural research since 1960 and has been involved in the discussion of conservation for decades? It meant a lot.
So thanks, Jane. Here's to you.
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