James Cameron’s Actions Inspire Louder Than Words

I gained a new appreciation for James Cameron after hearing the TED talk he gave just before the release of Avatar. What I didn't know about Cameron is that he is one of the world's most experienced underwater explorers. When the oil spill of 2010 hit the Gulf, I was surprised to see President Obama seeking James Cameron's counsel. Shortly thereafter, while browsing the internet for inspiring words to listen to, I found this incredible TED Talk by the famed director, and I learned that he has more than 3,000 hours of experience underwater...that's as much as almost anyone alive today.

Curiosity...it's the most powerful thing you own. Imagination is a force that can manifest a reality.

That is where I learned that many of Cameron's projects were simply an extension of his love of the ocean. The Abyss obviously shows a true passion for being underwater. Titanic, to Cameron, was less about a blockbuster film and more about an exciting expedition to the most famous shipwreck of all time, that he needed movie studio money to fund. He sold it to the studio heads like this...

...Romeo and Juliet on a ship.  It's going to be this epic, passionate romance. But secretly what I wanted to do was dive to the real wreck of the Titanic, and that's why I made the movie. I said, 'We're going to dive to the wreck, we're going to film it for real., we'll be using it in the opening of the film, it will be a great marketing hook', and I talked them into funding an expedition. ~James Cameron

Now, Cameron has hit the record books for his solo dive into the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. Click here for a great photo gallery.

Who inspires you?