Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
"Who would you dine with? Scott or Amundsen?" Malcolm Gladwell and Tim Harford in Discussion.
Aug 19, 2022
Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author and creator of the Revisionist History podcast, joins Tim Harford for a riveting discussion about the race to the South Pole between Captain Scott and Roald Amundsen. They explore the clash between ambition and efficiency, and how personal motivations and bureaucratic hurdles shaped their legendary journeys. The conversation humorously touches upon the pitfalls of scurvy, the importance of limes for sailors, and the romanticization of failure in British history. This deep dive reveals the complexities behind exploration and scientific discovery.
25:14
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Quick takeaways
- Scott prioritized scientific innovations and exploration, while Amundsen focused solely on winning the race.
- The contrasting endings reflect the decline of the British Empire and the last gasp of imperialism, raising questions about heroic narratives and the true nature of exploration.
Deep dives
Differences between Scott and Amundsen
Scott and Amundsen had contrasting approaches to the race to the South Pole. While Scott focused on scientific innovations and exploration, Amundsen prioritized using proven techniques and focused solely on winning the race.
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