There are invisible strings that connect this world. As described by Dr. Jane Goodall, a scientific mind transcending her time, these strings take place between all living things, both humans and nature. A scientist, primatologist, and anthropologist, Dr. Goodall revolutionized our understanding of primates through her research on chimpanzees. But transcending her scientific success was her relentless vision for a sustainable future and empathetic view of science. She valued the harmony among every tree, human, insect, and bird; fought with her entire life to deliver her vision to the world; and urged humanity to find purpose and recognize its importance. And then the world lost her on October 4th. By writing this, I hope to reflect on the strings that she left behind for us, so that her wish can be kept posthumously: for people to finally recognize the larger purpose in their worlds and say, “I did make a difference.”
As a scientist, Dr. Goodall advocated for empathy. It contrasted with the precise and logical nature of her career in science, which often disregards “emotions” to focus on the numerical data. Scientific topics have now become more precise as more and more studies are published, and it has become more difficult to focus on factors that cannot be expressed with numbers. Dr. Goodall breaks this paradigm by demonstrating how empathy is an integral part of science: “I’ve always felt that you don’t have to be completely detached, emotionally uninvolved to make precise observations. There’s nothing wrong with feeling great empathy for your subjects.” But this message isn’t limited to the capacity of scientific inquiry. Rather, it should be expanded to all forms of inquiry, and this marrying of logic and empathy would deepen mankind’s understanding of the world.
As a primatologist, Goodall’s message encouraged respect. She firmly believed that respecting all aspects of life, not just humans, accomplishes global climate consciousness and collaboration. Dr. Goodall often criticized mankind’s indifference towards nature: “Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how can we destroy the only planet we have?” She championed that it was not the generic campaigns for recycling and energy reduction that would save our planet, but people’s hearts and attitudes towards the wilderness. In finding purpose inside the larger context of the world, humans could most properly recognize the individual contribution it will take to save the planet. In the recognition that humans aren’t alone in their inhabitation of Earth, people can develop a sense of connection with these invisible threads. Through these connections, fighting against the destruction of this planet will no longer be about “me” or “them” but for “us.” Not just for humans but for all the living things we share our only home with.
And as an anthropologist, Dr. Goodall fought for peace. She urged humans to form deeper connections not only with nature and with themselves, and to be selective in these bonds. In a world made so easy to connect and meet new faces, this interconnectedness brought unprecedented conflict and tension. Peace of mind within individuals and in relationships was the best and most positive way for humans to coexist.
Not only does Dr. Goodall’s message shine a light on the dark sides and caution the world of impending mayhem, it also teaches communities how to live in peace and love in and for each other. Andover, a school with many invisible strings that are brought together physically and emotionally, can learn from her words. As a community, being empathetic even in difficult times requires all members to perceive each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging that personal emotions should not be the basis for destroying others’ feelings. Additionally, interconnectedness is only an advantage of fostering community when there is a mutual respect for one another. Treating the school’s resources and other students with respect sets a baseline for conduct. After all, similarly to our planet, this is our only Andover, and we shouldn’t destroy it. Finally, peace applies to both in relationships and in oneself. By being nice to oneself, students here can inherently find it easier to keep the peace with one another.
In 2016, Dr. Goodall spoke to Andover: “It’s been an amazing journey, this life of mine. This planet has filled me with the wonder of all living things, great and small. We cannot ignore this earth that surrounds us, that feeds us, shelters us, replenishes our bodies and our souls, and stretches our imaginations; where animals, plants, air, water, all care for us. We are all interconnected– people, animals, our environment. When nature suffers, we suffer. And when nature flourishes, we all flourish. I do believe in the possibility of a world where we can live in harmony with nature, but only if every one of us does our part to make that world a reality. So that when you look back at your journey, your life, you can truly say: “I did make a difference.” It’s so important to see these invisible strings. Because in what isn’t seen lies everything needed to be known.
