What could American society achieved by 2019 if back in 2010 it was inspired by JFK to commit to a goal to achieve by the end of the decade?

Candi Ashlee

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13.08.2024 05:36:07
Candi Ashlee

The transcontinental railroad, built with exploited Chinese workers, the Wright Flyer, the Model T, FDR's programs during "The Great Depression", the WW2 mobilization, the interstate highway system, yes I know it bulldozed minority neighborhoods, the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, and the Apollo program which inspired the environmental movement and laws with Apollo 8's "Earthrise" photo and greatly accelerated the development of computer technology.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90362753/how-nasa-gave-birth-to-modern-computing-and-gets-no-credit-for-it

I say that we should aspire to achievement but without exploitation and exclusion.

But looking back during the past 10 years it seems like American society can't seem to achieve amazing achievements like that. That we can't commit to great achievement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbIZU8cQWXc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTjMqda19wk

So why have we stopped aspiring to big things?

I own a McMansion, a German made car, and go on nice vacations every year, life is good enough already, so why dream of a Star Trek like future?

I own a huge mansion, a Italian made car, a private jet, a yacht, and go on exotic vacations every year, I'm at the top, so why dream of a Star Trek like future?

Why be excited to revive the American space program when I can be excited for the next Halo or Mass Effect game as well as the next Star Wars movie?

I am struggling to get by day to day so I don't have time for pie in the sky dreaming(much more justified).

But did those mindsets kept America from technologically advancing as fast as it could have been?

I look back and I find it sad that no one I knew from my school years at a typical middle class suburban school district went into science or engineering.

It seemed like "Math" and "Science" were considered "Uncool" but that mindset was more of a middle school thing at least where I came from.

Back in the early 2010s we should have committed fully to stopping "Global Warming" and addressing social programs much more effectively.

And by the 2030s-2090s we would work on bringing back the space program in a big way. There are a billion times more metals in the asteroid belt than on Earth. Could the resources of the asteroid belt be used to build O'Neill Cylinders with utopia like societies in them as well as make cities on Earth look more wondrous?

But sadly a lot of the "Millennials" I knew didn't show up to the polls back in 2016 and we ended up getting a reality show buffoon elected instead of someone with vision.

13.08.2024 05:36:07

Susan Slutzky

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13.08.2024 19:43:50
Susan Slutzky

Interesting post, though I believe you are oversimplifying some very complex ideas and historical context.

I will just say that regarding space exploration, one must not underestimate the importance of the Cold War in motivating humanity to reach for the stars, and more specifically, motivating JFK’s pledge to land Americans on the moon.

Competition fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to long-term success. It’s no mystery why NASA has struggled and declined since the fall of the Soviet Union.

13.08.2024 19:43:50