How did Craig Foster's childhood influence his connection to the ocean?

Dunked in the Atlantic Ocean shortly after birth as a family tradition, Foster was exposed to the intertidal zone from a very young age, fostering a lifelong connection to the wild marine environment.

What is 'The Great Dance' and what did Craig Foster learn from it?

'The Great Dance' is a film about the San Bushmen's persistence hunting in the Kalahari. Foster learned about their deep connection to nature, their tracking abilities, and the concept of 'Wilderness Rapture,' which deeply influenced his outlook.

How do San trackers in the Kalahari track animals over long distances?

San trackers, like Karoha, use their senses and intuition to follow subtle signs, bird language, and ripples of sound. They can enter an altered state, becoming deeply attuned to the animal's movements even when visual tracking is impossible.

How can urban dwellers connect with nature more deeply?

Even in urban environments, one can cultivate deep connection by observing a small area, like a single tree or a group of insects, daily. This consistent observation reveals invisible details and fosters intimacy with nature, leading to a sense of belonging.

What are the benefits of cold exposure and breath holds for Craig Foster?

Foster practices daily breath holds and cold exposure to induce relaxation, boost his immune system, and sharpen his mind for underwater tracking. The cold releases beneficial chemicals like dopamine and noradrenaline, enhancing focus and well-being.

What is 'underwater tracking' and how does it differ from land tracking?

Underwater tracking involves deciphering subtle signs that are easily washed away, like slime trails from mollusks or marks on animal backs. It took Foster 10 years to develop this skill, as there were no existing manuals.

How have relationships with wild animals impacted Craig Foster's human relationships?

Foster's deep connections with wild marine animals, which are often unafraid of humans, provide a sense of kinship. This reduces his reliance on human relationships, paradoxically improving his connection with his wife and family by alleviating pressure.

What is 'song catching' and how did Craig Foster experience it?

Song catching is the idea of opening oneself to the wild to receive a song or melody from nature. Foster, a 'pathetic song catcher,' eventually collaborated with musicians and used instruments made from the kelp forest to create music inspired by the ocean.

How did losing his home to a fire redefine Craig Foster's concept of 'home'?

After an electrical fire destroyed his family home, Foster realized that his true home was the ocean and the planet's healthy biodiversity. This profound lesson emphasized his deep dependence on the wildness for his well-being.

What challenges did Craig Foster face after the success of 'My Octopus Teacher'?

The sudden global fame from the film was an enormous shock, causing severe sleep deprivation and overwhelming demands. Foster used wild nature, breathwork, and the lessons from indigenous cultures to slowly rebuild his nervous system and find healing.

What is the key message of Craig Foster's new book, 'Amphibious Soul'?

'Amphibious Soul' is for those seeking a deeper relationship with nature and themselves. It guides readers to find balance between the wild and tame aspects of life, encouraging practices to reconnect with their innate wildness and ancestral heritage.

Why does Craig Foster emphasize biodiversity over climate change in conservation discussions?

While acknowledging climate change is critical, Foster argues for more emphasis on biodiversity, which he sees as the planet's immune system and life support. He believes that ignoring biodiversity's collapse renders all other investments meaningless.

How can people bridge ideological divides in conservation efforts?

Instead of lecturing, focusing on common ground and compassionate storytelling can unite people for conservation. Using different language to avoid political 'third rails' and appealing to shared interests, like preventing property destruction from extreme weather, can foster cooperation.

Craig Foster of My Octopus Teacher — How to Find the Wild in a Tame World

Tim Ferriss

Howto & Style5 min read125 min video

May 2, 2024|15,538 views|317|30

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Craig Foster discusses finding wildness in modern life through nature, tracking, and deep connection.

Key Insights

Proximity to nature and biodiversity profoundly impacts human well-being, fostering calmness and a sense of belonging.

Indigenous tracking skills, like those of the San people, demonstrate a deep, almost instinctual connection to the environment.

True connection with nature stems from intimacy and observation, not just being in a biodiverse area.

Reconnecting with the 'wild self' is crucial for balance in our technologically advanced, 'tame' world.

Nature acts as a mirror, reflecting our inner states and offering profound lessons through animal behavior and ecosystems.

Language and storytelling are powerful tools for shifting perspectives and fostering conservation efforts.

EARLY IMMERSION IN THE OCEAN

Craig Foster's lifelong connection to the ocean began even before his birth, with his mother spending time in the water daily while pregnant. He was famously 'dunked' into the frigid Atlantic on the day he was brought home from the hospital, establishing a family tradition. This early and consistent exposure to the sea, including intertidal exploration and diving from a young age, shaped his deep affinity for the marine world and laid the foundation for his future explorations.

LEVERAGING ANCESTRAL TRACKING SKILLS

Foster draws parallels between ocean exploration and the ancient art of tracking, particularly inspired by the San people of the Kalahari. Their ability to 'run down' prey in extreme heat, relying on innate sensory abilities and an altered state of consciousness, highlights a profound connection to nature. This human capacity for deep tracking, also seen in Polynesian navigators, suggests an inborn 'radar system' that transcends mere visual cues, emphasizing a primal, instinctual way of knowing the environment.

THE JOY AND WISDOM OF THE WILD

Connecting with the wild, whether through observing the intricate lives of small creatures or experiencing the vastness of nature, brings an profound sense of joy and peace. Foster describes 'Wilderness Rapture,' an innate joy experienced by indigenous peoples deeply embedded in their natural surroundings. This connection isn't exclusive to remote wilderness; even in urban environments, focused observation of local flora and fauna can unlock a hidden world and foster a sense of interconnectedness.

UNDERWATER TRACKING AND ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS

Foster's decade-long pursuit of underwater tracking has yielded unique insights. Unlike terrestrial tracking, where cues can be washed away, he discovered subtleties like mollusk slime trails and marks on animal hides. This deep immersion has allowed him to form special relationships with marine animals, including sharks and otters, fostering a sense of kinship. These interactions have de-emphasized his reliance on human relationships, enriching his understanding of interconnectedness and mutual respect.

THE AMORPHOUS SOUL AND MODERN EXISTENCE

In his book 'Amphibious Soul,' Foster explores the dichotomy between our wild, ancestral selves and the 'tame' world of technology and comfort. He emphasizes finding a balance, acknowledging that a complete return to a wild existence is impossible. The book encourages practices that retain wildness, leading to a more centered and calmer state, and suggests that reconnecting with nature is vital for navigating modern life and fostering a deeper relationship with oneself and the world.

NATURE AS A MIRROR AND THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

Foster posits that the natural world mirrors the human psyche, offering lessons and insights that extend beyond immediate observation. This mirrors are especially evident in areas of high biodiversity, where animal behavior can seem to reflect our own inner states or teach us profound truths. He stresses that effective conservation requires compelling storytelling and shifting perspectives, moving away from finger-pointing towards gentle, inclusive approaches that emphasize our interconnectedness with the planet.

THE PROFOUND LESSON OF 'HOME'

After losing his home to a fire, Foster had a profound realization that his true home was not a physical structure but the ocean and the planet itself. He recognized that the health of the biosphere and its biodiversity are fundamental to our existence and well-being. This experience underscored the importance of protecting and regenerating the natural world, as it forms the life support system for all investments and endeavors, and ultimately for our species.

PARENTING, LOVE, AND HERITAGE

Foster emphasizes instilling a love for nature in children through dedicated time and shared activities, drawing on his own experience of receiving deep, attentive love from his great-grandmother and grandmother. This unconditional love and focused attention provided meaning and a foundation from which to connect with the world. He advocates for sharing experiences that one enjoys, fostering a child's natural curiosity and deep, intrinsic connection to the natural world.

NAVIGATING SUCCESS AND REBUILDING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The overwhelming global success of 'My Octopus Teacher' led to a period of psychological distress for Foster, characterized by severe sleep deprivation and a shattered nervous system. He mitigated this by drawing on the lessons learned from nature and indigenous wisdom: immersion in the ocean, cold exposure, and focusing on tracking and ancestral connections. This process of rebuilding led to a deep humility and a realization that genuine connection and the impact on others were more meaningful than external accolades.

THE DELICATE ART OF CONSERVATION AND COMMUNICATION

Foster and Tim Ferriss discuss the difficulty of effective conservation communication, highlighting how polarizing language can hinder progress. They suggest finding common ground by focusing on observable phenomena, using evocative storytelling, and avoiding confrontational rhetoric. The goal is to gently guide people towards reconnecting with nature, fostering a sense of stewardship by emphasizing our intrinsic connection to the 'original mother'—the planet—rather than framing it as a battle or a plea.

PLAY, SONG CATCHING, AND MUSICAL EXPLORATION

The concept of 'song catching,' inspired by tracker John Young, involves tuning into the essence of a place or being and translating it into music. Foster's attempt to 'catch the song' of the kelp forest led to collaborations with musicians and the creation of unique underwater instruments from natural materials. This playful exploration, involving diving and experiencing sound in new ways with items like whale ear bones and kelp stems, highlights the creative potential of human-nature interaction and formed unexpected relationships.

REDEFINING CONNECTION: BEYOND SEPARATION

Foster and Ferriss challenge the notion of separation between humans and nature, emphasizing that we are an extension of the natural world. The idea of 'conserving nature' can imply a dichotomy that doesn't reflect felt experience. True integration involves recognizing our deep evolutionary heritage and innate connection to the planet, leading to a more holistic understanding of existence that transcends the 'skin-encapsulated ego' and fosters a sense of completeness, not through magic, but through altered perception and mindful interaction.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Craig Foster and marine biologist Jani du Plessis were studying Shaggy sea hares when a curious octopus unexpectedly grabbed their camera, leading to a unique perspective through the octopus's lens and inspiring 'My Octopus Teacher'.

Topics

Underwater Exploration San Bushmen Kalahari My Octopus Teacher Amphibious Soul

Mentioned in this video

personBoyd Varty

Author of 'Lion Tracker's Guide to Life,' a mutual friend who introduced the host to Craig Foster's work.

bookAmphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World

Craig Foster's new book, exploring the balance between living a wild, connected life and functioning in the modern, 'tame' world. It aims to help readers reintegrate with nature.

personNainoa Thompson

A Polynesian navigator who circumnavigated the world, known for using his body and stars for navigation, showing parallels with San trackers.

bookWords That Work

A book by a Republican strategist (likely Frank Luntz, though not explicitly named) that analyzes how language influences narratives and policy, using examples like 'death tax'.

personCharles Griffiths

A professor who works with Craig Foster, often encountering new species and dealing with the rigorous process of officially describing them.

locationGreat African Sea Forest

The kelp forest off the coast of South Africa, named by Swati Thiyagarajan, now a global icon for marine conservation due to the film 'My Octopus Teacher'.

personWade Davis

Author of 'The Wayfinders,' which includes a chapter on Polynesian navigation.

personJohn Young

An incredible tracker and bird language expert from California, author of a definitive book on bird language, who also introduced the concept of 'song catching'.

conceptCape clawless otter

A shy animal that engaged in a very intimate encounter with Craig Foster, demonstrating curiosity and potential ancient hunting collaborations with humans.

personBarry Lopez

Author of 'Of Wolves and Men,' described as a genre-busting and well-written book that pulls people into complex topics without lecturing.

conceptPersistence hunting

A hunting technique where hunters pursue prey over long distances until it can no longer run, often in high temperatures, leveraging human endurance and ability to sweat.

personZani Mahola

An incredible Xhosa singer who participated in the 'song catching' project, remarkably able to catch songs from the kelp forest on her first dive.

personSteve Rinella

A well-known author and responsible, ethical hunter who took the host on his first white-tailed deer hunt, challenging preconceived notions about hunting.

personAlex van den Heever

A master tracker from South Africa, friend of the host, involved with Tracker Academy. He is highly respected for his tracking abilities in the wild.

personSwati Thiyagarajan

Craig Foster's wife, a conservation journalist from India, who grew up knowing about humans hunting with wild otters and named the 'Great African Sea Forest'.

organizationSea Change Project

A non-profit organization focused on ocean conservation, co-founded by Craig Foster, dedicated to studying and protecting the Great African Sea Forest and raising awareness about biodiversity.

bookOf Wolves and Men

A book by Barry Lopez, praised for its nuanced exploration of wolves that transcends political divides and avoids lecturing.

conceptHeteromys fosteri

A species of shrimp named after Craig Foster, found living inside discarded shells of animals.

conceptShaggy sea hairs

Marine animals that Craig Foster and a marine biologist were studying when an octopus famously grabbed their camera.

bookThe Great Dance