LOOK AT THIS!
The other night we sat watching and listening to a group of NASA scientists tell us all about the landing and first movements of the second rover vehicle – "Opportunity" - successfully landed on the planet Mars. It was especially good to see the enthusiasm of these gifted people charged with such an important step in mankind's progress. They reminded me, and many others I am sure, of a bunch of inquisitive, energetic kids sprawled on the floor and proudly showing off their latest construction accomplishments with their "Erector Set" many years ago.
This cheerful optimism is a qood quality to keep in such projects. We can be sure of positive attainments when we see those people engaged in the actual work are, obviously, have so much fun doing it.
Challanging demands face each of them in their special niche in a massive set of problems many of which are unknown and exist primatialy in the theories. It is a good thing to see both men and women involved in this sort of work which they, so obviously enjoy doing, which spells out an open invitation to young people today. Wth proper studies and physical efforts they, too, may be able to bring about changes in our environment which are essential to our continuing. Work needs to be made interestiing. We are in grave danger it this country, of thinking that the only employment available to youth in the future will be taking orders, with or without, at the local faster food emrorium or baby sitting a group of computerized switches in an automnatied industrial process.Seeing space industry workers at work and enjoying every moment of it, can be an inspiring gateway for us to plan the future of our young generation of workers now seeking such
paths.
It is true that we cannot all scientists. We could not, years ago, afford to have extra Erector Sets. They were expensive. We had one small, basic set in our family. It was understood that every little nut and bolt of that set belonged to the oldest boy in the family. He was deemed to have full rights of possession and a new piece was added each Chistmas season. We respected that rule of ownership, too, and today our space scientiksts are in charge of those portion of our life. And should remain so with new peoples added as they develop. The challenge to eduational experts today is to find ways to imbue more occupational fields with such a sense of importance, destiny and boundless satisfaction as space-related work seems to offer young people today.
Think about it.
Can you honestly say you are excited and enthused about the type of work your are doing ?
A.L.M. February 1, 2004 [c520wds]
