Rick Steves Says Travel is the Antidote to Fear

Travel writer and activist Rick Steves advocates for travel as a political act and a tool for humanizing global "enemies." Drawing on his experiences in Iran and Central America, Steves argues that the flip side of fear is understanding, and that Americans must move beyond their "exceptionalism" to engage with the other 96% of the planet. He details how his travels shaped his radical commitment to social justice, leading him to donate millions to causes like marijuana legalization and housing for homeless families in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington. Through his concept of "vicarious consumption," Steves demonstrates how personal wealth can be stewarded into "entrepreneurial philanthropy," such as purchasing a hygiene center for the destitute. Ultimately, he frames the discomfort of culture shock as a necessary growing pain for broadening one's perspective and becoming a more empathetic global citizen.