I missed noting it yesterday, but it was the fiftieth anniversary of the announcement of the Mercury 7. It set the pattern for the mythology of the NASA astronaut (with two minor variations — the first in the sixties when it was no longer necessary to be a test pilot, and in the late seventies, when women were allowed into the club). I may have more thoughts later, but to me, it was one of the key events that led us off on a very wrong path that has resulted in the space quagmire we’re in to this day.
3 thoughts on “The Beginning Of The Myth”
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The hero worship might have tainted the concept of space travel, but, I can’t help but agree with my uncle who believes that rather than preseidents, it should have been the mercury 7 who adorn Mt. Rushmoore.
Can’t say I disagree, especially since roosevelt is there.
The other myth that came from the astronauts choosing?
The Right Stuff.
The assumption that a college degree showed ALL of the world the minimum it took to be proficient in almost any endeavor. Certainly there are fields where a degree is a must, but there are equally as many where it isn’t a necessity.
I’ve had several opportunities to climb to the top of technical, and other, groups, against degreed individuals. I came out on top in all settings where I care to stay and climb. Only the truly intelligent degree holders understand that their degree isn’t the END of training and learning. Most think graduation day means they know it all.
Sad just how few people get the truth.
“I may have more thoughts later, but to me, it was one of the key events that led us off on a very wrong path that has resulted in the space quagmire we’re in to this day.”
I hope you do. I’m not at all sure what this post is about, but you’ve piqued my curiousity.