I spent a large part of my life as a photographer for National Geographic. World’s greatest job.

Well, that job — it changed my life in a very surprising way. And that’s the story I want to share with you tonight. It began long before I ever picked up a camera. My family had taken the magazine for years. By the time I was able to read, I’d grab when it came into the house, I’d take it upstairs.

I’d read it at night. My Dad would say, “Turn off the light, Dewitt, go to bed!” I’d turn the light back on. I’d get a flashlight. I’d stay up and stare at the pictures in this little yellow book, pictures that showed me the possibilities the world had to offer.

I never thought I’d work for them; I never thought I’d shoot for them, but they were already changing the way. I looked at the world. Because the Geographic has an extraordinary vision — so simple yet so profound. What they charged me with, every time they sent me out, was to celebrate what was right with the world, rather than wallowing in what was wrong with it. That’s why we keep these little yellow magazines. It’s a national sacrilege to throw one away, you know that.

(Full transcript of the speech can be found at the following website:
https://singjupost.com/dewitt-jones-celebrate-whats-right-with-the-world-at-tedxsouthlaketahoe-transcript/)

Click on the picture down below to get into the Youtube for full lecture.