Part 10 - Beautiful Nature, Being close to the US and Hope

Summary

The speaker discusses life in Vancouver, Canada, highlighting the beautiful nature and outdoor activities amidst the rain and snow. He shares his love for the forests, trees, and water, and plans to organize more community camping trips to enjoy the outdoors. He also compares Canada's infrastructure and access to services with South Africa's challenges, like rolling blackouts and lack of hope due to a one-party system. The speaker expresses optimism in Canada's political system, where citizens can vote for change. He also explores the potential of freeze-drying technology to preserve food and reduce waste, considering investing in an expensive but intriguing freeze dryer.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ Vancouver offers beautiful natural surroundings, including forests, trees, and water, despite the rain and gloomy weather.
• 🏕️ The speaker plans to organize more outdoor activities and community camping trips to appreciate nature.
• 🇿🇦 South Africa has stunning natural beauty, but the speaker prefers Vancouver's access to nature and resources.
• 🔌 Reliable electricity and infrastructure are advantages of living in Canada compared to the rolling blackouts in South Africa.
• 👮‍♂️ Canada's police force is generally effective in catching criminals, although the justice system has some issues.
• 🇺🇸 Proximity to the United States provides access to technology, products, and services not readily available in South Africa.
• 🤖 Concerns about AI's potential to replace jobs have caused fear and hopelessness in the speaker's children.
• 🗳️ Canada's political system offers hope for change through regular elections and a balance of power between parties.
• 💭 Hope is crucial for perseverance and overcoming challenges, as demonstrated by the rat swimming experiment.
• 🍎 Freeze drying technology offers the potential to preserve fresh food for extended periods, reducing waste.

Q & A

What are some of the weather conditions mentioned that one can expect in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, one can expect rain, snow, cold temperatures, and gray, dreary days for weeks at a time, as well as absolutely beautiful sunny days.

How does the speaker compare the natural beauty of Vancouver to South Africa?

The speaker acknowledges that South Africa has amazing places and stunning nature, especially mentioning a job done in Cape Town in the Fynbos for the Absa Cape Epic, but expresses a personal preference for the nature in Vancouver, highlighting the big old growth forests, large trees, and abundant water.

What outdoor activities does the speaker plan to engage in more?

The speaker plans to engage in more outdoorsy stuff like having at least one community barbecue a month and setting up community camping trips, including a guys' trip and a family trip.

What joke does the speaker make about South Africa?

The speaker makes a joke about South Africa's rolling blackouts, mentioning how they have been ongoing for years and the inconvenience of having electricity off and on in a cycle at their mother's house.

What are the speaker's views on the operational systems and services in Canada compared to South Africa?

The speaker views the operational systems and services in Canada more positively, mentioning that things generally work, including the police's efforts in catching criminals, and contrasts this with the challenges faced in South Africa, including issues with rolling blackouts and a less effective police system.

How does the speaker feel about the proximity of Canada to the US?

The speaker appreciates the proximity of Canada to the US, viewing it as an advantage because of access to the newest technology, innovations, and attractions like the Boeing factory, Nike head office, and Las Vegas.

What concern does the speaker have about artificial intelligence (AI) and jobs?

The speaker is concerned about AI taking over jobs and has discussed this topic at home, which has influenced their children's outlook on future careers. However, the speaker is trying to reposition this as an opportunity for those who are prepared.

What is the speaker's stance on the political climate in Canada?

The speaker believes that the political climate in Canada offers hope, contrasting it with South Africa's one-party dominance. They appreciate that in Canada, closely balanced political parties allow for the possibility of change through elections.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the importance of hope?

The speaker discusses an experiment involving rats in water to illustrate hope's importance, explaining that domesticated rats or wild rats given hope by being rescued swim longer than wild rats without intervention, emphasizing that hope can significantly impact behavior and survival.

What interest does the speaker express towards freeze drying?

The speaker expresses a strong interest in freeze drying as a means to preserve food, intrigued by its ability to remove 97% of water from food like strawberries, which can then be rehydrated months later, tasting like fresh. They consider investing in a freeze dryer despite its high cost, seeing potential savings and convenience in food preservation.