Into Thin Air

"Resilience and calm, when lives are on the line, is crucial to national security and that is what Into Thin Air is about. “National security is impacted by many threats: guns, opiates, pandemics and climate change” Jon Krakauer is a phenomenal writer. It’s about a climbing season when the ascending teams made an avalanche of mistakes. Despite a dire forecast, out of pure hubris, many climbers cast all cautions and rules about when to return aside. Some were stranded at the top of Everest. But when the will to survive set in, they pulled together to save themselves and others. It reminds me that the will to live can have a clarifying effect in many murky situations. Each person needs to figure out how to lower their risks and heighten their defenses, without unduly disrupting their lives. Everyone is allowed an irrational fear. Also, importantly, give yourself a break. This is especially important during COVID-19, as so many mothers are punishing themselves for not being the perfect employee, teacher, cleaner and life partner. There can’t be perfection in the middle of a crisis. And we don’t start out with perfect information. Accept that the balance between liberty and security will need to be re-struck on a regular basis."