"I decided that now is the time to start doing the things that really interest me and I find important. It was in the 10 years of the MacArthur grant that I began working on my first book... and I began putting more work into environmental history"

Jared Diamond's quote exposes a turning point in his life where he consciously decides to pursue his authentic interests and passions. This decision lines up with receiving the MacArthur grant, a distinction that frequently acts as both a financial advantage and a mark of recognition for imaginative potential and intellectual capability.

Diamond's reflection suggests a transformative period catalyzed by the grant, permitting him intellectual and monetary flexibility. This highlights the value of the MacArthur grant not just as a monetary award however as a liberator of time and resources that enable recipients to dive deeper into their fields of interest. For Diamond, this suggested committing more energy to writing and broadening his work into environmental history, locations that maybe were formerly constrained by other professional or individual obligations.

The reference to beginning his very first book is also considerable. It represents a vibrant step into authorship, suggesting that Diamond had a story or understanding that he intensely wished to communicate to a wider audience. The crossway of his interests in history and the environment suggests a wider, perhaps uncharted course that he aspired to explore. By starting to "put more work into ecological history", Diamond acknowledges the importance of comprehending the intricate connections between human societies and their eco-friendly contexts, a style obvious in his later works like "Guns, Germs, and Steel."

Diamond's quote resonates with anybody who has discovered themselves at a crossroads, pondering whether to stick to traditional courses or to explore their real interests. His decision to welcome the latter is both brave and inspirational. It highlights the idea that with the best resources and nerve, one can pursue roles and jobs that line up carefully with their core values and enthusiasms, ultimately contributing to both personal satisfaction and societal knowledge.