Wishing for A Nation That Explores

As a child in the 1960s, I was captivated by the spirit of exploration, which was held in high esteem in the United States. The excitement inspired by studying the vastness of the seas and space touched my imagination.  It influenced the way I played with toys and the books I read. Seeing the first man land on the moon and submariners de to the darkest ocean depths instilled a confidence that anything was possible and no challenge could be too great. 

I, along with millions of fellow youth, shared a fascination of the tapestry of science.  Astronauts and oceanographers regardless of age and education also embraced this love for pulling the veil away from the unknown. As I matured, this interest to inquire more about the world around me unfortunately faded. 

Why did this curiosity depart?

Why did this curiosity depart from my being? Was it the girls, the fun, the desire to be entertained? The quest to make a living and enjoy the fruits of good living? What drived me to fall behind from my passion so well expressed by Neil Armstrong and Jacques-Yves Cousteau?

My feeling is that I am not alone in this viewpoint. I am among the millions of people not interested in exploration, but simply desiring to hang on to our Earth's shrinking nature resources and get by. We are tired of disappointments, bad news and politics. We need a shot in the arm that inspires us to think outside the box and break free from the routine. The United States needs to reclaim its spirit of adventure go beyond its limitations and explore the unknowns on Earth and in space.

Curiosity, Innovation...