There is definitely a need to write down stuff everything. I really can't remember now what was the "speech I read" and "something urgent". Anyway, let me talk about this interesting TED talk about desertification.

This guy called Allan Savory is some kind of biologist/ environment researcher. His initial idea about the reason for desertification seems rather common sense- overgrazing by livestock. Hence, he proposed to kill elephants in Kenya over a period of time in order to slow down the rate of desertification. Many other researchers looked into his study and agreed with his conclusion. However, the result was an worsening rate of desertification. He then decided that he shall devote his life to finding the solution to desertification.

At this point of the talk, I was really curious to know about the solution he would propose. My perception of desertification is really common sense, as he proposed, that one of the major causes is by livestock. Could he provide a counter-intuitive solution?

The solution was rather counter-intuitive. And a brief internet search showed that his method of "holistic management" has been criticised for having failed to find scientific support. The idea is to systematically introduce livestock into an area of grassland to be restored. As these livestock move, trample the ground and excrete their manure, a process similar to the large scale migrations of animals over grassland is achieved. With this systematic approach, the soil and plants in that area of land can decompose naturally, and the soil becomes more fertile in the next cycle. Well this is the basic idea and obviously I haven't thoroughly understood the ecology behind it. However, he showed many photographs showing how much grassland he has restored. Of course, I should not just judge the success of his method by the photos, but it really seemed to be an effective method. (oh gosh I've just taken medicine and I really need to sleep now....)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay!!! I can finally continue!

There are two reasons why I was impressed by his speech. My understanding/perception of desertification was challenged, the common sense understanding is poor. He was able to challenge his own thinking to find a solution.

To be challenged, and to challenge one self. I think that will lead to progress.
(oh damn, suddenly I'm not feeling the drive)