Close clear Philosophy Science Psychology Health Society Technology Culture Essays Ideas Videos Partners About Donate About Donate email Newsletter Facebook Twitter Follow search Menu / search Donate / email / Sign in Menu / search Donate / email / Sign in Get Aeon straight to your inbox Daily Weekly Essay / Sports & Games Paul Sagar Photo by Gordon Wiltsie/National Geographic Paul Sagar is a junior research fellow in politics and international relations at King’s College at the University of Cambridge. 3,600 words Edited by Nigel Warburton Republish - Licence Only When asked in the 1920s why he wanted to climb M...