The Essence of Exploration

Ben Saunders' exploration speech discusses the importance of going outdoors and actively engaging in life. The polar explorer was asked the question of ever needing to go outdoors and explore the world when there exists a constant supply of information and achievements of others, and that if "it's being done somewhere and we can virtually participate, why bother leaving the house?"

Saunders responds by telling the audience of his solo and unsupported crossing of the Arctic Ocean by walking from the North coast of Russia to the North Pole and onward to the North coast of Canada in the Spring of 2004 when he was 26-years-old.

Saunders' exploration speech tells us that he gets joy from the simple act of enjoying life. He tells the audience that the scenery he was able experience was unique unto himself, and to try to describe his journey wouldn't be able to do it justice. There is much more to life than to just watch and wonder. Saunders motivates his audience to engage and experience the meat of life, that is, the "juice that we can suck out of our hours and days."