Fear of unknown should not hinder exploration
Scott Conover
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: Forum
Although an amusing experience to behold, it is at the same time very distressing to see educated and intelligent people speak as if they are fools. Instead of taking the time to consider the matter logically and create an opinion - such as opposing space exploration - in an educated fashion, many educated people spout nonsense that may appear related to their fields of expertise, such as through anecdotes and examples. Instead, the nonsense causes these educated people to appear rather uneducated.
However, the most insidious and subtle force affecting people is an unwillingness to embrace the new. This refers to people and their unwillingness to open themselves to very new concepts and examine them rationally, and with evidence, as opposed to reacting in an irrational manner.
For example, if a subordinate introduces a new and valuable practice or concept to a supervisor, there can typically be two reactions: the subordinate is eager and attempting to please with something interesting and new, and the supervisor often "turns off" his listening mind and critiques the viewer and the idea with his presuppositions.
This has happened to most people in their lifetime, from old to young, and it represents one of the most effective and most scientifically reprehensible practices of humankind: the evasion of the unknown and the embracement of the known.
Although the known is indeed safe and wonderful, it is the unknown that gives us growth, from new technologies to new jobs to new activities. New experiences and events give us newfound abilities, power, strength, sorrow and knowledge.
Space is the unknown. Who can say what will transpire there, in the void beyond Earth? It is a frightening thing to examine the dark skies and think of the possibilities - the death, the loss, the loneliness that may come to individuals who attempt to break free, who may then die.
But how can we, as a people, as humans, hope to fully grow and become adults under the stars when we cower in the warm and safe womb of our blue Earth?
Scott Conover is a senior in business administration and history. "Space: The New Economic Frontier" is an ongoing series of articles discussing space exploration and its social, political and economic ramifications. The opinions expressed in his column do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Conover can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
However, the most insidious and subtle force affecting people is an unwillingness to embrace the new. This refers to people and their unwillingness to open themselves to very new concepts and examine them rationally, and with evidence, as opposed to reacting in an irrational manner.
For example, if a subordinate introduces a new and valuable practice or concept to a supervisor, there can typically be two reactions: the subordinate is eager and attempting to please with something interesting and new, and the supervisor often "turns off" his listening mind and critiques the viewer and the idea with his presuppositions.
This has happened to most people in their lifetime, from old to young, and it represents one of the most effective and most scientifically reprehensible practices of humankind: the evasion of the unknown and the embracement of the known.
Although the known is indeed safe and wonderful, it is the unknown that gives us growth, from new technologies to new jobs to new activities. New experiences and events give us newfound abilities, power, strength, sorrow and knowledge.
Space is the unknown. Who can say what will transpire there, in the void beyond Earth? It is a frightening thing to examine the dark skies and think of the possibilities - the death, the loss, the loneliness that may come to individuals who attempt to break free, who may then die.
But how can we, as a people, as humans, hope to fully grow and become adults under the stars when we cower in the warm and safe womb of our blue Earth?
Scott Conover is a senior in business administration and history. "Space: The New Economic Frontier" is an ongoing series of articles discussing space exploration and its social, political and economic ramifications. The opinions expressed in his column do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Conover can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
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