Smart and Anti-Stupid

I’ve always thought it was strange when people mourn a celebrity’s death. Actually, I am awkward with death in general, but maybe it’s because I haven’t lost anyone that I have daily or weekly contact with. When those I knew had passed, it always still felt like I was going to see them around at some point. Any sadness I felt was usually for the families they left behind, empathizing with their pain but feeling none myself. The first and only time I ever had an emotional reaction to a celebrity death was two years ago today…when Anthony Bourdain died.

I wrote this that day:

“I get more out of my life because of Anthony Bourdain. If you think he was just some chef and travel writer/personality, you weren’t paying attention…he inspired in a sly, non-obtrusive way – poking around at the intersection of culture, socio-economics, art, and politics in a manner that no one else has.

Just last night, my 8-year-old daughter climbed into my lap as I turned on Parts Unknown Hong Kong…something she does every time I watch Bourdain.  Her middle name means “adventurous”, and she has a natural desire to travel to new places and try new things. The conversations I have with her every episode are filled with wonderful questions about new places, cultures, people, and of course, food – always ending with us talking about when we will go.

I am profoundly sad today.”

Much has been expressed about Bourdain’s depression, his suicide, and the fact that none of it jives with the notion of how a man with one of the coolest jobs ever would feel. But I wasn’t sad because of his tragedy. I was sad because he was one of the good guys…at a time when there are a lot of people who are not. Despite his demons, he cared and was curious about those different than he…respecting their lives and more importantly, HOW they live. But he was also quick to call out bullshit and let someone know exactly how much of dick he or she is. Given our trajectory over the past four years, I can’t think of much that I relate to more intensely, find more necessary or appreciate more.

I think we could all use some more caring and being curious about those different than us while still calling out the bullshit…to be both smart and anti-stupid. Travel does that. It’s a course towards greater empathy and understanding, but also allows you to evaluate what is wrong in your world and elsewhere.

"Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s OK. The journey changes you; it should change you...You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind." – Anthony Bourdain

I can’t travel right now, but I can definitely share a good meal, a laugh, and a drink with people I love. Hopefully, you can too.