Podcast Summary
Mind-controlling parasite and its unexpected discovery: Explore the world with an open mind and adventurous spirit to discover new and fascinating stories, even in unexpected places.
The natural world is full of surprises and wonders, some of which can be found even in unexpected places. Anand Varma, a National Geographic photographer, shared his experience with a mind-controlling parasite called a horsehair worm. This parasite takes over a cricket's mind, forcing it to find water for the parasite to emerge. While this may sound bizarre, it's just one example of the fascinating stories that come from the world of science. Anand's passion for the natural world began in his childhood, growing up in suburban Atlanta. He spent much of his time exploring the floodplains behind the mall and schools, discovering all sorts of wildlife. Despite his early interest in biology, Anand eventually pursued a career in photography, capturing the beauty and wonder of the natural world for National Geographic. This conversation reminds us that there is always something new to discover, whether it's a mind-controlling parasite or the wildlife hiding in plain sight behind a shopping mall. It's important to keep an open mind and an adventurous spirit, as you never know what you might find.
From a young age, her obsession with fish and coral reefs led her to pursue a career in marine biology and photography.: Following your passions and remaining persistent can lead to remarkable achievements, even from a young age.
Passion and determination, even from a young age, can lead to remarkable achievements. The speaker, an accomplished marine biologist and photographer, shares how her obsession with fish and coral reefs drove her to pursue a career in marine biology from the age of 13. She worked towards her goal by volunteering, studying, and gaining experience, all while maintaining her love for photography. Her passion for both fields was validated when a friend encouraged her to pursue photography professionally. This moment of recognition fueled her sense of accomplishment and further solidified her commitment to her chosen paths. Ultimately, her story highlights the importance of following one's passions and remaining persistent in the face of challenges.
Unexpected email leads to life-changing opportunity in photography: Embrace unexpected opportunities and be open to new experiences, they can lead to personal growth and unexpected career paths
Opportunity can come from the most unexpected places. For the speaker, it was an email from an instructor leading to an assistant position with a National Geographic photographer. This experience introduced him to the world of photography and ultimately became a pivotal moment in his life. The role initially seemed simple, but it involved carrying equipment and assisting in the discovery of new creatures in caves. However, the speaker was given the opportunity to learn and grow, ultimately leading to a deeper connection with the craft. This experience not only opened doors for him in photography but also taught him the importance of seizing opportunities and being open to new experiences.
Discovering Hidden Worlds through Photography: Through photography, the speaker uncovered new opportunities in science and exploration, leading to exciting experiences and access to hidden worlds.
The speaker discovered a new world of opportunities through photography, specifically in the field of science and exploration. During an expedition to a cave with a biologist, the speaker was captivated by the experience and the feeling of unearthing hidden mysteries. This experience led to further opportunities, including a trip to Hawaii on a NOAA ship and an assignment from National Geographic's Susan Welchman to photograph fire ants. The speaker was initially intimidated by Welchman, but the experience was a turning point in their career and opened doors to new opportunities in photography. The intensity of the experiences and the access to hidden worlds was a source of great stimulation and excitement for the speaker.
The power of persistence and resilience in overcoming setbacks: Setbacks are a normal part of the process, continuing to learn and try is essential for growth and success
Persistence and resilience are key to overcoming setbacks. The fire ant colony's ability to band together and survive flooding demonstrates this concept in nature. In my personal experience, I learned this lesson the hard way when I failed to meet Susan's expectations for photographing ant colonies. I felt disheartened and thought I would have to wait years to try again. However, Susan's encouragement kept the door open for me to continue trying and improving. Similarly, in my pursuit of taking better pictures, I encountered challenges such as capturing a large group of ants. Through collaboration with the lab and perseverance, I was able to learn new techniques and eventually succeed. This experience taught me that setbacks are a normal part of the process and that continuing to learn and try is essential for growth and success.
Overcoming photography challenges with scientific innovation: Scientific knowledge and innovation helped a photographer overcome challenges in capturing crisp images of ants above and below water and depicting tiny parasites.
Technical challenges in photography can be overcome with the help of scientific knowledge and innovation. The speaker faced the issue of a distracting out-of-focus band of water when shooting ants both above and below the surface. He attempted to solve it by photographing from above, but this did not work as expected. It was a lab colleague who suggested using a chemical called floropel to make the glass hydrophobic, preventing the meniscus effect and resulting in a crisp image edge. The speaker also had to adjust the ant positioning and shape to please the client. Despite the pressure of a tight deadline, the speaker returned the following day to capture a more compelling image of an ant reaching out over the water. The parasite photography project, which involved depicting tiny parasites controlling other organisms, presented a different challenge - how to effectively capture and showcase such microscopic subjects. This project served as a turning point in the speaker's career, inspiring him to push boundaries and explore new techniques.
Exploring complex stories through unique photography perspectives: Photography can capture and hold audience's attention, revealing complex stories through unique perspectives.
Photography can be used to tell complex stories in new ways by approaching subjects with a unique technical perspective. This was demonstrated to the speaker during a conversation about parasites, which led him to discover the fascinating ways these organisms manipulate their hosts' behavior. An example of this is the horsehair worm, which forces crickets to drown themselves in water so the parasite can safely emerge. The speaker was intrigued by this phenomenon and saw the potential for visual storytelling. He learned that photography has the power to capture and hold an audience's attention, allowing them to appreciate a more complex story. The parasite's ability to control its host's mind and behavior is a real phenomenon, and while the speaker didn't photograph the parasite that manipulates cats through mice, he recognized the visual potential in exploring the broader question of how parasites are able to do this.
Exploring new passions through curiosity and exploration: Curiosity and exploration can lead to fascinating discoveries and creative projects, as demonstrated by Anand Varma's journey with bees and jellyfish.
The importance of curiosity and exploration in discovering new perspectives and passions. Anand Varma, a National Geographic photographer, shares how his experiences with bees and jellyfish led him to develop unique photography projects at home. Initially, he kept honeybees in his garage and later, inspired by his past experiences with jellyfish, he set up a jellyfish tank. With the help of experts, he was able to create a thriving jellyfish habitat and capture stunning photographs. This journey demonstrates how following one's curiosity can lead to fascinating discoveries and creative projects. Stay tuned for season 4 of National Geographic Overheard, where we continue to explore intriguing stories and ideas. The episode of National Geographic Overheard was produced by Dvar Ardelan, with assistance from Brian Gutierrez and Jacob Pinter. Our editors were Robert Moleski and Ivy Caputo, and our fact checker was Michelle Harris. Hans Dale Su composed the theme music and engineered the episodes. National Geographic Overheard is a production of National Geographic Partners, with Whitney Johnson serving as the director of visuals and immersive experiences, and Susan Goldberg as the editorial director. I'm your host, Peter Gwen. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you soon.
