In a critique of conventional narratives surrounding exploration, Peter S. Beagle highlights the tendency to celebrate figures who colonized lands through violence and oppression. He draws attention to how society often venerates those who have committed acts of thievery and brutality in the name of discovery, losing sight of the true value of imagination and creation.

Beagle shifts the focus to recognizing those who inspire and dream, emphasizing the importance of celebrating individuals who cultivate dreams rather than conquer territories. By doing so, he advocates for a re-evaluation of what it means to be a true explorer, suggesting that the colonizers of dreams deserve our highest praise for their contributions to culture and humanity.