Blog Review: The Art of Exploring - Instinctive or Learned?

Hi David and Michelle,
Peaceful Bay – we spent a few nights there some years ago, the only inmates, taking shelter from some foul weather. One of those occasions when a caravan really does look like a sensible option haha.
I think you are wise to get your kids unplugged occasionally. Certainly all our electronic devices open up the world, but if we as adults can get distracted by them, then it’s easy to see how it could come to dominate young peoples’ lives. It’s important to get out into the real world to maintain a sense of perspective.
You ask how people start to become explorers? I think it can be learned, but that there may be some innate characteristics that are useful as foundations to build upon; like curiosity, resourcefulness, a taste for adventure, and above all, the ability to observe. Children who are encouraged to ask questions – what, when, where, why, who, how and so on, and then appropriately helped to find answers, (as opposed to just given answers) will be well equipped to become explorers as they grow to adulthood.
I think many adults simply lack the confidence to get out and about. Some are scared of open spaces and see threats where few actually exist. Others lack skills in topics like map reading, vehicle setup and handling, camping basics etc and don’t know how to get started. Others have poor observational skills so miss the rich detail that is revealed on a bush or beach walk. Another factor too is doubtless at play – with increasing social density comes a loss of self reliance – we become reliant on others, be it via social services, emergency services, forums, or at worst facebook and Wikipedia.
One good thing about 4WD clubs is that they do offer an entry point in terms of building skills by participating in group trips. Unfortunately it can be the case that such trips become a follow-the-leader affair where 4WD skills dominate learning and skill building opportunities, and self reliance opportunities are missed due to over reliance on tour leaders. Trips with a group of friends can be a good way of learning, although, as in club trips, social and personality issues can intervene.
In this age of apps and other electronic wizardry I think it’s very easy for people to effectively hand over their decision making to online resources. Witness the proliferation of Facebook groups about free camping and caravanning, apps like Wikicamps, Google maps etc. So many folk seem to buy a caravan to “do the big lap” and follow the trail from one freecamp to the next without really seeming to see or take in much as they go. How many are destination oriented and fail to notice the richness of the journey itself?
Our personal technique to focus on the journey is to keep a daily diary and take lots of photos, and write the trip up in some detail. It might not be of much interest to others but it does help us to recall and reflect on the trip, and to learn (even retrospectively) about what we did and didn’t do, places we missed etc, so that next time around we are better prepared.
ExploreOz has accumulated a wealth of information to assist those with the urge to explore our country, and as such does a great job. Sadly though there are plenty of people who want it all laid out for them and think it’s easier to just ask a question on Facebook (or the EO forum) rather than do the research themselves. The answers may lead to less satisfactory outcomes, but they probably can’t make a judgement about that. Yes I think there is an untapped demographic out there but how to reach and engage with it?.
I don’t have many ideas about what else EO could do to foster a sense of curiosity and exploration, but I wonder if some regular quizzes and games about places, history, map reading and so on might engage people’s curiosity and imagination? No need for prizes, just do it for the fun of it.