Today is the 35th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's moonwalk (which didn't, I must insist, take place on a movie set). Apollo 11's moon landing and the subsequent walk on the lunar surface by astronauts is a truly remarkable accomplishment in human history.
"One knew that this spectacle was not the product of inanimate nature, like some aurora borealis, or of chance, or of luck, that it was unmistakably human—with 'human,' for once, meaning grandeur—that a purpose and a long, sustained, disciplined effort had gone to achieve this series of moments, and that man was succeeding, succeeding, succeeding!" Ayn Rand wrote upon witnessing Apollo 11 launch into space.
Rand makes the point that the event proved man's greatness in contrast to nature. I say the opposite. Walking on the moon was a huge achievement for science and for America. But we walked on our own moon, in our own solar system, in our own galaxy. The event demonstrates not only how much man hasn't done, but how much that he will never do. On a more practical level, unlike Columbus's voyage in 1492, what happened in 1969 hasn't changed the course of history in any dramatic fashion. More than anything else, though, Neil Armstrong's moonwalk was a symbolic acheivement. Consider that it's been thirty-five years since man first walked upon the moon. It's been thirty-two years since man last walked upon the moon.
Dan, good post. The reason not very many people are excited about space anymore is simple. We live in an "instant" society. They want bang for their buck and NOW. The Apollo prgram took years, and to get to that point took the work of the Gemini program. People do not see stepping stones as success anymore, they want a bridge to the other side built NOW.
Doesn't the general public realize the incredible effort it took to get to the moon? It took years of effort by everyone involved. A steadfast dedication rarely seen these days.
Reagan taught me (long story) that anything worth having was worth workong for. The more I want it, the more diligent I must be. It took me 13 years of recovery and 7 years of WORK to join the professional bowlers tour. When I picked up a ball again after those 13 years, I knew the road would be a long one. The general public simply does not have that kind of diligence or patience anymore.
Have you read the article regarding Chuck Yeager?
Los Angeles Times Friday July 2, 2004 'Far From Heavens", It talks about his current female companion and her sorded history. The current fight between his children and her. If this is true it is a shame to see a real history changing man fall victim to a decietful woman. Man did walk on the moon, but he seems doomed to have women walk all over them here on Earth.
