"The best way to make someone care about losing something is to first make them fall in love with it."
So true. He did that for you. He did that for us. This is both a beautiful tribute to the man and a grave warning. You and Sir David have been showing us how much we will lose if we don't take action. After slow, small steps forward, we made a horrifying jump backward. Appreciation and more work to be done. Thank you, Alexander.
Rena, you are my heart. That was the one line that threw itself off the page and into my brain. Thanks to you, Alex, for putting it there. If we don’t pass these nuggets of wisdom to the next generations I fear there will be less of a world for them to live in. I also wish Sir David a very happy birthday and thank him for all the wonderful things he has shown and taught us all these years.
Alexander, no one could have written a better 100th birthday tribute to Sir David Attenborough than you‼️ He
is a British national treasure. It’s hard to imagine what he has experienced in his long life. The world has learned so much about our planet and the living organisms on our planet. He has been the inspiration for so much scientific research into animal life. Thank you for a very special edition of MORE on such an auspicious day.🥳 Your writing as
Such a beautiful tribute to a Mover and Shaker! I can name them—there really aren’t that many. Albert Schweitzer, Mahatma Ghandi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dag Hammarskjold, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jane Goodall, Thomas Berry, Edward R. Murrow, Jr., Thomas Merton, Martin Buber, David Attenborough, Jacques Cousteau. That is my list, with the possible addition of the Dalai Lama.
‘Sir David Attenborough’ has taken us to corners of the world we would never see in person and introduced us to creatures we would never likely encounter.
This experience didn't just connect us to nature; it captured our imaginations and laid the groundwork for countless careers dedicated to protecting our planet's biodiversity.
He gently built in us an understanding of the codependence of all living things and how they are shaped by earth, weather and oceans – conveying the power, unfathomable complexity and the fragility of life.
His greatest contribution may have been in showing us what's possible and what we stand to gain if we can choose a different path. At 100 years, he is a living witness to the changes that are unfolding before us, and a clarion call to address these changes with growing urgency.
And certainly, as you mentioned here — His extraordinary life's work is not finished.
"Happy Wonderful 100th Birthday" — to our ‘True World Treasure, Sir David Attenborough’.
Much grateful of you, Alex, through your wonderful life journey and your beautiful emotional honesty — you already wove the words and shared this truly 'profound piece'.
The BBC had this weekly show I heard at 3 am EST today. But they did an hour tribute of memories of folks who shared emails, messages, stories.
One fun fact about Attenborough is that he prefers to communicate via written mailed letters. Apparently he obviously speaks on the phone too. The hosts said it is a full proof way to receive and share correspondence with him. He will respond.
What we remember about living in nature includes truly euphoric experiences and what we see around us today is empty by comparison. The habitats we as children cohabited with frogs, lizards, snakes, roly-polies, caterpillars, lightning bugs, possums, raccoons, and more dazzle my mind to this day. After reading The Sixth Extinction, the stakes are quite understandable.
I'm British, and if I ever see a nature documentary without Sir David narrating it just feels wrong. I feared for his life in 2016 when we lost a whole bunch of famous people one after the other - as did a lot of the country, the sentiment was something like "wrap him in bubble wrap and keep him safe, can't bear to lose him too!"
A fitting tribute and well-deserved recognition for a person who has had an outsized impact on so many people over so many years. Like you, I believe Sir David had an impact in leading me to the place I am today in terms of my respect, love and awe for our planet. And also for my sadness (and anger) for what has been lost and what we have taken away from future generations. Happy Birthday, Sir David, and thank you!
"The best way to make someone care about losing something is to first make them fall in love with it."
So true. He did that for you. He did that for us. This is both a beautiful tribute to the man and a grave warning. You and Sir David have been showing us how much we will lose if we don't take action. After slow, small steps forward, we made a horrifying jump backward. Appreciation and more work to be done. Thank you, Alexander.
Happy birthday, Sir David 🤍
Rena, you are my heart. That was the one line that threw itself off the page and into my brain. Thanks to you, Alex, for putting it there. If we don’t pass these nuggets of wisdom to the next generations I fear there will be less of a world for them to live in. I also wish Sir David a very happy birthday and thank him for all the wonderful things he has shown and taught us all these years.
Perfect homage/gift to an extraordinary man and individual. Precious the reference to Cousteau. Rewarding reading.
The world could use a thousand more David Attenboroughs and a thousand more Alexander Verbeeks. Thanks for your wonderful essay.
Beautifully said. An extraordinary man with an iconic voice.
Happy birthday, Sir David.
This is wonderful, Alex. Thank you for writing about Sir David.
A beautiful tribute to a genuinely deserving man. One of my favorite heroes.
Happy Birthday, Sir David! 🌳🐟🦜🐘 🦥🌎🌍🌏
Alexander, no one could have written a better 100th birthday tribute to Sir David Attenborough than you‼️ He
is a British national treasure. It’s hard to imagine what he has experienced in his long life. The world has learned so much about our planet and the living organisms on our planet. He has been the inspiration for so much scientific research into animal life. Thank you for a very special edition of MORE on such an auspicious day.🥳 Your writing as
well as the illustration today was exceptional.
Happy Birthday, Sir David Attenborough, who has seen more in his personal century than any of us reading this piece!
He along with Jacque Cousteau opened my eyes to the power and magnificence of our planet. I’m honored to share a birthday 🎉 with Mr. Cousteau.
In my era, we watched first Hans and Lottie Haas, Scandinavian, Jacques Cousteau then Sir David led us into a world that was in threat from man.
He is such a beautiful soul. His voice and mannerisms are compelling. A giant in fact.
Thank you.
Such a beautiful tribute to a Mover and Shaker! I can name them—there really aren’t that many. Albert Schweitzer, Mahatma Ghandi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dag Hammarskjold, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jane Goodall, Thomas Berry, Edward R. Murrow, Jr., Thomas Merton, Martin Buber, David Attenborough, Jacques Cousteau. That is my list, with the possible addition of the Dalai Lama.
‘Sir David Attenborough’ has taken us to corners of the world we would never see in person and introduced us to creatures we would never likely encounter.
This experience didn't just connect us to nature; it captured our imaginations and laid the groundwork for countless careers dedicated to protecting our planet's biodiversity.
He gently built in us an understanding of the codependence of all living things and how they are shaped by earth, weather and oceans – conveying the power, unfathomable complexity and the fragility of life.
His greatest contribution may have been in showing us what's possible and what we stand to gain if we can choose a different path. At 100 years, he is a living witness to the changes that are unfolding before us, and a clarion call to address these changes with growing urgency.
And certainly, as you mentioned here — His extraordinary life's work is not finished.
"Happy Wonderful 100th Birthday" — to our ‘True World Treasure, Sir David Attenborough’.
Much grateful of you, Alex, through your wonderful life journey and your beautiful emotional honesty — you already wove the words and shared this truly 'profound piece'.
Thank you. Blessings. ✨️🤍
Nice tribute 💕
The BBC had this weekly show I heard at 3 am EST today. But they did an hour tribute of memories of folks who shared emails, messages, stories.
One fun fact about Attenborough is that he prefers to communicate via written mailed letters. Apparently he obviously speaks on the phone too. The hosts said it is a full proof way to receive and share correspondence with him. He will respond.
If you included a self addressed envelope with your letter
Good to know!
What we remember about living in nature includes truly euphoric experiences and what we see around us today is empty by comparison. The habitats we as children cohabited with frogs, lizards, snakes, roly-polies, caterpillars, lightning bugs, possums, raccoons, and more dazzle my mind to this day. After reading The Sixth Extinction, the stakes are quite understandable.
I'm British, and if I ever see a nature documentary without Sir David narrating it just feels wrong. I feared for his life in 2016 when we lost a whole bunch of famous people one after the other - as did a lot of the country, the sentiment was something like "wrap him in bubble wrap and keep him safe, can't bear to lose him too!"
My experience too - also starting with Cousteau and Hans and Lottie Haas
A fitting tribute and well-deserved recognition for a person who has had an outsized impact on so many people over so many years. Like you, I believe Sir David had an impact in leading me to the place I am today in terms of my respect, love and awe for our planet. And also for my sadness (and anger) for what has been lost and what we have taken away from future generations. Happy Birthday, Sir David, and thank you!