Adventures in Chaos: An Exclusive with Dave Jansen

Hey! What’s up? It’s Josh. I’m thrilled to bring back our author interview section, and this week we’ve got David Dyck, who just put out Chronicles of Heat and Squalor, a raw, powerful account of SE Asia’s untold stories. Ready to dive into his experiences from the heart of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos? Here we go!

Author Interview With Dave Jansen

1) What inspired you to embark on the journey that resulted in *Chronicles of Heat and Squalor*? This book captures your experiences in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. What initially drew you to these countries, and how did you decide to turn the trip into a book?

A) It’s a hackneyed thing to say one is ‘drawn’ to a certain country, or place, or culture, but these feelings do persist in different people, and goodness knows what plants them there in the first place. In my case, I saw the film *Apocalypse Now* when I was 17, and I remember being entranced not only by the lush greenery of SE Asia but also by its chaotic wildness. SE Asia’s (and much of Asia, really) approach to social cohesion clashes with the ambitions of the 21st Century. It’s fascinating, and it’s reflected in the people, who are open to sharing their lives and thoughts. I made many friends during my travels, and I hope to preserve those special moments within these pages.

2) The book contains over 300 photographs documenting the impact of France, China, and the US on the region. How did you choose which images to include, and what story did you hope to tell through these photos?**

A) War, temples, monks, Hell, and indigenous people—these are subjects packed with countless stories to tell, and Indo-China is bursting with them. Traveling through the region, it’s hard not to be entranced by the colors surrounding everything, and soon enough, a camera is in your hand, capturing everything. I wanted to bring 1,000 stories of the hearts and souls of SE Asia to audiences who may never see them in person. Places like bomb-ravaged villages in central Laos and Chinese-invested sites in southern Cambodia all have their unique stories. I was lucky to traverse mountains and rivers to witness these myself.

3) In Chronicles of Heat and Squalor, you explore the idea of history shaping a nation’s future. Which moments or places in SE Asia struck you the most in terms of this connection between the past and the present?**

A) SE Asians are survivors, having endured the 20th Century as a “trash heap” of sorts for Western mistakes. The people had to navigate ideologies, religions, and even bombs that continue to affect them today. They’ve transformed this painful history into a unique identity. Take Phonsavan, Central Laos, for example. As of 2023, roughly 80 million UXOs (unexploded ordnance) still litter the countryside, making random explosions depressingly common. For Americans, the SE Asian conflict is a memory; for Indo-China, it’s a living reality. Yet, they defuse and melt these bombs into spoons, bowls, and trinkets, creating a source of income from past traumas. It’s inspiring and tragic all at once.

But there’s also the negative influence of history. Driving through Vietnam, I was struck by the omnipresence of propaganda: red signs reminding people to obey Communist authorities. It’s a modern reminder that while the faces in power may change, control persists.

4) One of the central themes of the book is the indomitable spirit of an individual to subvert their own destiny. Could you share an experience from your journey that reflects this theme? How did it affect your outlook on life or the region?

A) I met a girl named Bo halfway through Vietnam. She was from an aboriginal village in Central Vietnam, governed by superstition and tradition, which tied her to her village life. However, Bo was determined to be a city teacher and was funding her university education despite her community’s disapproval. Her mother kept presenting her with suitors to settle her into a domestic life. The last time we spoke, she was preparing for her cousin’s wedding, younger than her but already settled down. I lost contact with Bo, but her story stays with me. Each generation must navigate new times without the necessary tools, but there’s no way forward without breaking from the past. Bo recognized this, and I do too.

5) What do you hope readers will take away from Chronicles of Heat and Squalor, especially those unfamiliar with SE Asia?

A) Here are a few:

- Colonialism is alive and well, but it’s morphed into new forms. Watch China.

- Individuals can stand against systems, broadcasting their power by not conforming.

- The 20th Century continues to impact the 21st, yet mistakes exist for us to learn from.

- SE Asia is incredible! See it for yourself if you can.

If you can’t see it for yourself, go buy his book here—>HERE

LIFE UPDATES: POLLUTION, YOUTUBE, AND BIG DREAMS

Now for my life update: here I am in Taiwan, where pollution has taken the sky from blue to a shade of gray so dismal it’s basically the color of depression gray. I’m eyeing a return to the States, where maybe I can finally team up with some illustrators, build a creative squad, and revive my YouTube channel.

Ah, YouTube. You’ve humbled me again! A few videos together hit 15,000 views, and I thought I’d made it. But my recent uploads? They tanked harder than a nervous kid doing a book report about a book he never even oopened.You could hear a cricket fart if that is even possible, I don’t know. Hm.. Maybe that’s a book idea? Either way, it might be easier to collab with other creators and get feedback on other writing projects while being based back home.

And—*drumroll*—I made a sale on Amazon! *Chaos and Comfort* officially sold a copy last week. No, I’m not yet #1, but hey, it’s a start. Slow and steady, right?

Catch you next week for more updates and author interviews. And if you haven’t grabbed a copy of *Chaos and Comfort*, well, you know where to find it. Stay tuned, and keep pursuing your own chaos and comfort!

Cheers,

Josh