Edition Zero

In 1907, Ernest Shackleton issued a challenge—journey with him to the ends of the Earth. A perilous trek where death was imminent, and if the explorers survived, the promised reward of honor and recognition would be bestowed. The early twentieth century ushered in the great race of National Antarctic Expeditions, British, Scottish, and German trailblazers answered the call. Glory—the prize for himself and his homeland—to the champion who could successfully conquer and claim the South Pole frontier.

From 1907-1909, Shackleton's Nimrod expedition defied the odds to extend humankind's reach towards the South Pole. When the expedition could pioneer no further, Shackleton and his landing party were a mere 97 miles from their final destination. It was the furthest anyone had traveled into the Antarctic. The journey was a historically documented failure, however, a decidedly marked victory. One that is both an emblematic and concrete illustration of our species emboldened nature.

Over a century ago, men danced with fate on the final frontier, daring to boldly tread further than any who came before them. Their unhesitating and fearless adventure in the face of actual or possible danger, daring, beyond the limitations of contemporary thought or action, inspired the creation of this new online publication, ambitiously entitled BOLD Edition.

In the preface of his book South—which chronicles his final attempt at the pole on the heels of the Nimrod expedition—Shackleton writes,

"We failed in this object, but the story of our attempt is the subject for the following pages, and I think that though our failure in the actual attempt must be recorded, there are chapters in this book of high adventure, strenuous days, lonely nights, unique experiences, and, above all, records of unflinching determination, supreme loyalty, and general self-sacrifice on the part of my men which, even in these days have witnessed the sacrifices of nations and regardless of self on the part of individuals, still will be of interest to readers who now turn gladly from the red horror of war and the strain of the last five years to read, perhaps with more understanding minds, the tale of the White War of the South."

BOLD Edition exists based on the premise that every story exhibits figurative or literal elements that embody The Bold. Inspired by this truth, BOLD Edition is a journalistic exploration of the extraordinary within the commonplace.

By employing the storytelling devices of reportage, photography, and cinema, BOLD Edition will take stock of The Bold motif in daily life. It is a compelling theme that serves as a vehicle to examine not only the narratives within this publication, but The Bold aspects of your own story. Welcome to the grand expedition.

Clarence Smith, Jr.
Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief