Former Governor's Shocking Claim: Is Technology Making Us Dumber? Find Out Why He Says We Must Talk More!

In a serene corner of South Carolina, former Governor David Beasley, 68, reflects on his past among the loblolly pines of his family's 700-acre farm near Society Hill. At just 16 years old, Beasley spent a summer planting 7,000 pine trees—a task that shaped not only his childhood but also his later years as a public servant. Those very trees now constitute a barn he designed and built, which, along with a pool house, serves as a sanctuary for global leaders seeking respite from their tumultuous realities.

Located just two miles from the Darlington County Airport, where G7 jets frequently land, Beasley’s property hosts guests from war-torn regions and areas ravaged by hunger. Here, he and his wife, Mary Wood, create an environment conducive to dialogue, allowing leaders to step away from the cacophony of electronic negativity. “When you unplug, you open your ears,” Beasley says, emphasizing the importance of understanding differing perspectives in a time of division.

The essence of Beasley’s work echoes his tenure as executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, an organization awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat global hunger. During his leadership, he helped raise over $55 billion to combat food insecurity across 80 nations. Reflecting on the progress made, Beasley notes, “Two hundred years ago, 85% to 95% of the people in the world were in extreme poverty. Today, with a world population of 8 billion, less than 10% live in extreme poverty.” This shift, he argues, is due to the establishment of institutions aimed at wealth distribution and support.

However, Beasley warns against the modern trend of cutting aid for the less fortunate. “The answer isn’t to reverse the succor provided by those institutions,” he asserts. Instead, he advocates for reforming existing systems to ensure that the remaining 9% struggling in extreme poverty receive the help they need. “Come with me for a couple of days. Let me show you what it’s like in Chad. Let me show you what it’s like in the hinterlands of Niger. You don’t know how lucky you have it,” he urges.

A Legacy of Courage

Looking back on his political career, Beasley recalls a pivotal moment during his governorship from 1995 to 1999. In a bold move, he endorsed the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse dome—a decision that ultimately led to his electoral defeat in 1998. “My loss was one of my greatest victories,” he reflects. The Confederate flag had become a significant barrier to progress, particularly in engaging Black leaders. Beasley believed that addressing the flag was essential for the state’s future, especially amid a climate of racial tensions and violence.

Though he lost to Democratic nominee Jim Hodges, Beasley’s stance earned him the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2003 for his advocacy. The flag was removed from the Statehouse in 2000 but remained displayed until 2015, following the tragic shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

As he recovers from recent shoulder surgery, Beasley contemplates the future of South Carolina and the nation at large. With a gubernatorial election approaching, he emphasizes the urgency of addressing skyrocketing housing costs, health care, and education expenses. “These things are totally out of control now,” he asserts, calling for bipartisan collaboration to tackle these challenges.

Moreover, he warns of the environmental risks posed by unchecked industrial expansion. “We’ve got to do more” to preserve South Carolina’s natural beauty, he insists. Beasley believes that job creation must not come at the expense of environmental degradation. His vision encompasses both economic growth and the safeguarding of quality of life.

Amid his reflections, Beasley remains deeply concerned about the polarization impacting American society. “If we have another 10 years like the last few years, we will be a Balkanized nation,” he cautions. He believes that the solution lies not in more technology but in rekindling fundamental human connections. “If you shut television and the Internet off for about five days, every American community would calm down so much, it wouldn’t even be funny.” Beasley stresses the need to tame the chaotic nature of the cyberworld, particularly for the well-being of children.

Ultimately, Beasley champions the idea of breaking bread across divides. He recalls how simple acts of sharing a meal with those of different perspectives have yielded positive outcomes, whether on his farm or in international negotiations. “Get to know each other. You’ll find out, wow, we have so much in common,” he urges. His life experiences, from planting trees as a boy to navigating global crises as a leader, underscore a profound belief: unity can emerge even in the most challenging environments.