Monday, July 20, 2009

I had a most startling dream. You were trying to to tell me something.

I was gonna write some deeply insightful plea for continued exploration of space on the anniversary of Apollo, but instead let me just lament that I didn't make it to Trek in the Park this weekend and don't look to have the time next weekend as we're off to the coast to go camping.

I've read mostly good reviews for Atomic Theater's live reenactment of the Star Trek episode "Amok Time" with only one dissenting jerk bitching that Portland "tries to hard too be weird." It's not that Portland is trying too hard, it's that the rest of y'alls cities aren't trying hard enough. Put your backs into it guys!

For the record: I'm pro-space. To be more precise I'm pro-manned exploration of space. They're all sorts of reasons for this but mostly it stems from my humanism. I believe that man needs challenges (science/ exploration) or he makes up challenges of his own to occupy his time (war.)

One of the most deeply moving things I've ever read was a piece Carl Sagan wrote in Parade magazine during the height of the cold war. He passionately laid out the case for a joint mission to mars with the then USSR. I would like to see the same industry we apply to fighting wars to feeding the people on this planet, curing all of the horrible diseases that plague us, saving the environment and exploring the unknown instead. That's the dream that makes me smile.

Here are some wonderful stories of where people were on the date we landed on the moon written by famous science fiction writers. What humans imagine they can eventually do. Let's do a little more imagining of a world that looks like Star Trek and a little less blowing shit up.

Dean

Also- RIP Walter Cronkite.

9 comments:

Comrade Kevin said...

My sister lives in Portland and loves it, but she doesn't love the 23% unemployment rate (when you favor in the underemployed).

I like the city, but the constant gloom and rain would kick in my depression like nobody's business.

Lockwood said...

@Kevin- "the constant gloom and rain" is partly a myth to scare others away... it's actually only bad for half the year, and eerily clear for 3-4 months. But you're right, those of us that deal with one or more forms of depression can have a hard time during the rainy season.

@Dean- the sad thing is, if we had channeled a fraction of the resources at space, both manned and unmanned, that we've spent on "defense" for the last 40 years, I'm sure we'd have robust colonies on both the Moon and Mars, and likely probes on the way to other star systems. As I've said before, we could do so many amazing things if we would just grow up.

Also, I know you don't get much recreational web time lately, but I belched out a rant yesterday I think you might enjoy.

Ubermilf said...

You want people to work together instead of fighting?

You Godless Commie. Get a job. And a haircut.

Arkonbey said...

"y'alls cities aren't trying hard enough"

True, but my week in Portland for Rose Festival '89 was pretty weird...

okjimm said...

ya, what Ubermilf said.... you Commie!

//we're off to the coast to go camping.//

Damn! Take me wit youse guys. I promise not to eat much and I never, never fart around campfires! Really! I would be good and even bring my own cheese and beer! Boy...I am jealous!!!!!

Randal Graves said...

Good luck with your futurism, peacenik.

Dean Wormer said...

Comrade-

Yeah, it's a total bitch to find a job around here now. Hundreds of aps to every position.

Locky-

Agree with you totally about us growing up. It's so sad. I'm off to read your rant.

Ubermilf-

I need to grow some hair so I can get a haircut. Rogaine here I come.

Arkonbey-

Rose Festival is nothing compared to some of the other Portland stuff. We even have a logo "keep portland weird."

okjimm-

Absolutely you'd be welcome. Especially if you bring beer.

randal-

Thanks, Tailgunner Joe!

ladybug said...

Huh, Portland doesn't TRY to be weird...we just unabashedly enjoy & indulge our nerdy, eccentric interests.

Why is it someone talking forever about some STUPID BORING sport, nascar or whatever is considered "normal", but the same level of obsession for sci-fi books, movies or philosophies is "weird"?

Dean, love the Trek in the Park! Unfortunately I'm going to be out of town this weekend...

Dr. Zaius said...

If man was meant to travel in space he would have been born with oxygen tanks and retro-rockets.