The Ultimate Test of Your Mettle: On the Frontier or on the Battlefield

I’ve watched the new Dune movies, part one and two, multiple times. An interstellar sci-fi soap opera of warring noble families. A grand drama which takes place on the planet of Dune where they harvest spice. Spice which enables intergalactic trade and empire. But it’s a harsh desert planet where only the strong survive. 

The desert, the jungle, the forests, the mountains, the oceans, space. Nature at the edge are harsh and extreme environments. The new frontiers. As are the battlefields of war. Or the professional and competitive fighting rings. Civilization is soft and comfortable. But you can’t afford this on the frontier or in a fight. These are very unforgiving environments.  

You have to be ready & completely switched on. Again, there is no margin of error. You pay for your mistakes with your life. Or worse, others will pay for it with theirs. It’s cruel but real. There is beauty in this simplicity. It’s very black and white. The severity and harshness is the whetstone to sharpen the edge of the blade. 

But it’s the ultimate test. Massively dangerous. High risk. We should respect and admire anyone who puts themselves in these situations. Explorers, warriors/ soldiers, entrepreneurs. 

Reminds me of the Pioneers Creed: “The cowards never started. The weak died along the way. Only the strong survived.” Darwinism at its finest. Real life. The harshest environments create the toughest people like the imaginary Sardaukar and Fremen of Dune. 

We need more of the pioneering mindset in all of us. That is how progress happens. This is how innovation happens whether technological, social or cultural. Be more pioneer. Search for challenging and hard things to do. Push yourself to the extreme. This is the way to get strong. Strong individuals matter more than ever today. Even harder times in the world are coming fast.