Steve,
This is beautifully written; it ties together science, math, history, and politics, to draw a larger picture of how far humanity has come and how much further we still have to go. Your knowledge of the history of science and grasp of how each individual scientist made a difference with his/her own unique contribution is impressive. This breadth of vision is what humanity needs if we are to explore the solar system, travel to the stars, and develop the next generation of technology. It is rare to find science writing that is also poetry, that takes on a unique voice and viewpoint. You remind us that all academic disciplines are related, not separate, and need to be shared with future generations.
I do worry that our ship is being steered in the wrong direction by multi-national corporations, wealth industrialists, and the governments both have bought and paid for worldwide, specifically in our persistence in relying on fossil fuels in spite of the now obvious consequences of burning them. Global warming is taking us to a very frightening place, and too many people motivated by profit and short term gain are steering the ship of humanity. We need everyone, not just the wealthy, to steer us away from disaster and toward a new age of discovery. Through websites like this one, people other than just those who have the ear of the wealthy can find a voice and take part in this steering.
Nicholas Copernicus was not born wealthy, and yet he changed the face of science forever. Spending money on the poor does not conflict with funding space exploration; just the opposite, it gives opportunities to those born in disadvantaged circumstances to reach their full potentials and play crucial roles in this steering. How many minds are we losing because poor children are not getting a chance at higher education? The real waste of money is neither on space nor programs for the poor but on endless wars that indelibly harm our veterans and do little more than enrich a few big corporations. Yes, corporations and the wealthy have a role to play, but first, they must change course by placing planetary wellbeing and consideration for the future ahead of short term profits. Successfully tackling global warming will require all the persistence we can muster.
I haven't read many scientific essays that tell us to stop and smell the roses, that treasure art and beauty as much as math and science, the way yours does. This is wonderful, well-written, very informative writing based on comprehensive knowledge of and recognition for the many contributors in history who blazed the trail to where we are today. As commenter James Putnam says above, it is a wonderful read.
