A whale’s-eye-view of the ocean | Eric Stackpole

Engineer Eric Stackpole shares his journey from struggling student to explorer, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and tinkering. He recounts filming sperm whales with a DIY camera tag during a National Geographic expedition, capturing unprecedented footage of their communication and social behavior in the deep ocean. Stackpole stresses that exploration, enhanced by advancing technology, allows experiencing the world emotionally and understanding our place within it. He advises embracing failure as a learning tool and acting on one's interests without waiting for permission. Currently, Stackpole is working on a portable houseboat to make experiencing wonder in nature more accessible, advocating for prioritizing philosophical learning and focusing on what truly matters individually and as a society.