To infinity... and beyond!

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the original Apollo 11 moon landing. I wanted to write something more thoughtful about the incredible importance of space exploration, but I'm too tired (and I have already addressed my feelings on this, to a degree).

Buzz Aldrin (whose name makes me think of Buzz Lightyear), Neil Armstrong's lesser known mission-mate, has been campaigning vigorously for expanded manned space travel, particularly to Mars. He speaks in sweeping terms about the potential for scientific research on and colonization of the Red Planet. Though I think some of his ideas are a little far-flung (or at least part of some distant future), this illustrates, to me, the beauty of space travel. It inspires people to dream about the improbable and enables them to view life on Earth in perspective.

From space, we are invisible specks, living on this speck of a planet, orbiting a speck of a star, in a speck of a galaxy in the great, vast universe. It's hard not to feel the desire to team up, as humans, against this unimaginably huge expanse. Like a form of global patriotism, "other-ing" the universe brings us closer together. At its most idealistic, outer space has the power to unify nations towards the betterment of humankind. It's kind of ironic that something with such glorious potential is deeply rooted in Cold War competition.

I realize I'm being overly philosophical, but there are practical reasons to explore space too. Earth is filled with non-replenishable resources, not least among them room for the species to grow. Our industrialized cities already harm the planet in measurable ways. No one really knows what the true consequences of global warming will be, but it seems like it would be prudent to study the options provided by outer space, both for extraction of raw materials and, ultimately, for the expansion of of the human race into new territory.

Thinking about this makes me smile. In fact, I can't think of anything else more exciting than space exploration. It's a shame that I'll probably die long before we realize most of these grand visions. But I suppose that's why we have Star Trek.

Who more than self, their country loved

I love the Fourth of July. Patriotism so often gets co-opted by politicians and used as a euphemism for support of neoconservative foreign policy or belief in American exceptionalism. It can often have a truly ugly connotation. But not on this holiday. Aside from giving us an excuse to grill, watch fireworks, and stay home from work, July 4th provides us an occasion to celebrate the dreams of our nation.

From the somewhat unintentional idealism of our Founding Fathers to the wounds of slavery and civil war, during innovative economic booms and painful recessions, through peacetime and harsh wars, the history of the United States is filled with moments of both pride and shame. It is, of course, important to learn about each. But none of these shared experiences would have been possible without the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War that it sparked. That document, with its self-evident truths and equally created men and unalienable rights, embodies so much of what I think of as the American spirit.

So this weekend I’ll listen to Ray Charles belt out America the Beautiful (a song that I associate with this day even more than the Star Spangled Banner) and eat a burger and some watermelon. But at some point, maybe while watching fireworks explode into the night sky, I’ll be sure to reflect on the founding principles of this fine nation and remember all of the people who have suffered and died to defend and advance these ideals, both domestically and abroad. It is through their courage and determination that we can confidently say that we have a better, more perfect union today than we did 233 years ago. More importantly, this optimism makes me hopeful that the future can only get brighter.

Happy Independence Day.