On reading "The Voyage of the Beagle"

First, have you read it? It's charming and funny. Here's a link to download the Second Edition for free: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/944

The first sentences of the preface have a special meaning for me and for, I think, all nonscientific people who have an urge to vaguely do something to make the world a better place by advancing thought:

I have stated in the preface to the first Edition of this work ... that it was in
consequence of a wish expressed by Captain Fitz Roy, of having
some scientific person on board, accompanied by an offer from
him of giving up part of his own accommodations, that I
volunteered my services.... 

We're at the very start of the book at this point. Endless wonders, revelations, connections are about to burst in on us. And it's this simple invitation and offer of accommodation that unlock the doors. Many voyages around South America happened before this one; many people did scientific work on the same route Darwin travels. But this voyage happened to be the one that awoke in him a new way of thinking. It required a bed, a workbench, another body onboard. Small things.

In shorthand: Not everyone has the turn of mind to be a Darwin. But many of us have the resources to be a Captain Fitz Roy.