What Would Jason Bourne Do?3rdDecember
Our intern training program just finished a weekend of making bows, tracking deer and watching The Bourne Identity. I admit this spy film may not directly relate to Nature Education, yet it has everything to do with the resourcefulness of survival training.
There's a moment in the film where Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is being hunted by security guards through stairwells and hallways. Immediately he doubles back to take a radio off of an agent he knocked unconscious. Then he pulls an emergency exit map off the wall. With these tools he weaves his way out of the building. This creative information gathering and rapid assessment is key to the Art of Tracking.
In another scene he sits in a diner with the heroine (Franka Potente). Jason tells her he memorized every license plate number in the parking lot, identified the vehicle most likely to carry a firearm and assessed who the most dangerous person in the room was. It was a character moment that demonstrated an unwavering awareness of his surroundings.
This calm attention to detail is crucial when he springs into action. He's never trapped like a deer in headlights and he's rarely overwhelmed with fear or anger. Instead Jason Bourne is highly effective, staying conscious of every moment. Action and assessment are one. Movement is effective because its efficient.
This is not an airy version of the "path of least resistance"; nor is it grossly tactical and cunning. The most useful strategic thinking arises out of fully experiencing life around us. The character of Jason Bourne may be an international super spy but his survival skillet comes from a very real "sense of place". I'm sure he would make an awesome Nature Educator. I wonder if he's looking for a job as a summer camp counselor.
Hone your awareness...
Our full-time Wilderness Immersion Program teaches tracking and awareness. Along with wilderness survival skills and homesteading. There's still room in our Winter and Spring terms. Our Master Degree Program is currently accepting applications.
Taster Day If you are interested in the Immersion program. Try a free day December 6.
Featured Portland Classes...
Healing Wounds: Plantain Salve Dec 13
Winter Ecology & Sign Tracking Jan 12
Shampoo from Native Plants Jan 24
Wilderness First Responder Jan 27-Feb 5
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3 Comments |
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Ian Jan 14, 2010 4:21 PM
i don't mean to be an a** but Bourne is an assassin, not a spy. And all that awareness comes at a price; lack of sleep; headaches ...and in his case, eventually, amnesia. |
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Dan Fontaine Dec 04, 2009 11:38 AM
Several years ago I had to reconcile my love for spy movies (or even MacGyver) with my Nature Geekness, and the conclusion I came to was exactly (though not as articulately) what you have said Tony. Since then I have wondered if I was simply rationalizing a guilty pleasure. Thanks so much for your words to the contrary. PS - I've gone through a similar journey with Kung Fu movies (and the fight scenes in Bourne). That's hyper awareness plus perfect control of one's body. I know it's not just just the violence that attracts my attention, because I have the same response to dance movies. Consider "Dirty Dancing II, Havana Nights" or its kin for your intern training as well. |
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Dec 04, 2009 9:22 AM
What a great observation, all the people I spend time with know the phrase "situational awareness" my kids roll there eyes, my wife smiles, but it's not something you turn off and on, it's a part of who you become when you decide you want to become more actively involved in your own life. |
