When I look at those JPL geeks hugging, high-fiving each other and crying, I think about how incredible it is when people come together like that over something truly noble. It's not about political victories, who won the latest sports game or who is presently ahead in one of the numerous mind-sucking "reality TV shows." Exploration is what defines humans. Gathering knowledge in hopes of answering those eternal questions about why we're here and if we're alone in the universe.
They made their way to the outer rim of the dreaming dead city in the light of the racing twin moons. Their shadows, under them, were double shadows. They did not breathe, or seemed not to, perhaps, for several minutes. They were waiting for something to stir in the dead city, some gray form to rise, some ancient ancestral shape to come galloping across the vacant sea bottom on an ancient, armored steed of impossible lineage, of unbelievable derivation.
--"And the Moon Be Still as Bright"
(The Martian Chronicles) --Ray Bradbury
1 comment:
Rock on Phoenix!
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