(10:30 pm MDT) This week has been a study in contrasts, in highs and lows, good and bad. Astronauts flew farther from Earth than ever before. Four astronauts, including the first Canadian, first Black man, and first woman, worked together in the Artemis II crew. Experiencing “moon joy” together. Taking NASA to beyond the moon and back. Taking us again into the future beyond Earth.
Meanwhile, with Artemis flying to and around the moon, American bombers were over Iran, with no defined plan beyond killing, destroying, and at one point, preparing to carry out our president’s threat to “exterminate a civilization,” sending it back to the Stone Age. There might or might not be a truce now because at last report last night Israel was still bombing Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz might or might not be open. At least there’s a ceasefire. Sort of. Maybe.
A status check now would spoil an otherwise nice day, spent in part watching the Artemis crew talk about their flight and each other while basking in the deserved glow of a job very well done.
From one of mankind’s greatest achievements to one of its most deplorable activities. The contrast this week was both stunning and disturbing.
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Header image: Members of the US Air Force walk toward a B-52 bomber at RAF Fairford airbase. The plane had returned to base with a full payload after Trump unexpectedly announced a ceasefire.
you could not have shown it better, the extreme contrasts in our humanity and lack of it –
It was emotional whiplash with the media going from Artemis to Iran and back again, or talking about one while a chyron scrolled with news about the other.
Well done. Artemis II was a wonderful reminder of what the USA can achieve, even if the symbolism and ultimate purpose is somewhat questionable. Following the diverse crew through the journey was a powerful historical echo, in stark contrast to the mayhem and chaos brought daily by the MAGA cult.
Yes, for better or worse, the US showed the world what it’s capable of.
The most amazing thing of all, to me, is the rate of change in our human story. I have memories of visiting my grandparents farm before they had electricity! Light at night was from kerosene lamps. Water was pumped from a well and carried by hand into the house. Vegetables were canned and stored in a partly-underground cellar. Humanity is rushing into the future with dizzying abandon and anything can happen, as recent events demonstrate. I fear we live in a house of cards. Nobody sneeze!
My earliest farm memories are from an uncle’s farm between Glasgow and Fayetteville, MO. Frog legs from the lake (yum!). Raw milk from the cows (yuck!). Crank telephone with a party line. Back home I remember ice deliveries for the icebox and bottles of milk delivered by the milkman. We’ve come a long way, as evidenced by the Artemis II flight, and yet not so far, as there is still, again, a war in progress overseas. Seriously, nobody sneeze. As a kid I built a lot of card houses, and it seemed a mere thought could bring them down.
Exactly. AI is already here. I just used CHATGTP to solve a problem getting a key made for my 2005 low-mileage Lexus. Dealer wants $570 to make one. CHAT, if its plan works, stands to save me almost $300. In progress.
Oh, sweet. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
My favorite use is Gemini on my Google speaker system. I ask endless, diverse questions throughout the day. Just general info that I’d otherwise have to get to a keyboard to locate and probably isn’t worth the effort. In the kitchen: “Hey Google, would ramen noodles work for shrimp scampi?” While watching tv: “Hey Google, how realistic is ‘The Pitt’?” (It always cautions me that it’s not a doctor and shouldn’t be relied on for medical info if my question relates in any way to medical subjects.) After it gives me an answer, I often reflexively say “Thank you.” Can’t seem to break the habit.
The highs and the lows all in one week. Impressed with the Artemis II crew’s success. The lows, well….enough said (except for maybe, “not in my name”).
In the wake of Artemis II, I watched “Apollo 13” again last night, marveling at how far we’ve come. The glow lasted until I turned on the news this morning …