![]() ![]() From the algorithm of the Google search engine to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, the US Government funds nearly 60% of all research. There is a constant buzz in the capitalist media about the supposed “genius” of individuals like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, but a recent book by Mariana Mazzucato, The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs Private Sector Myths, argues that state agencies and public funding have played the central role in the latest technological innovations. The memory foam mattress you sleep on, the cordless vacuum you clean with, the running shoes you exercise with, the scratch-resistant eyeglasses you read with, the satellite television you watch the game on, the bathing suit you swim in, and so much more, are spin-off technologies of state-funded NASA programs-not the result of individuals tinkering in a basement. So pervasive is this idea that even an article on the NASA website highlighting the benefits of the space program quotes Eisenhower’s lament in his farewell address: “the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields.” The American mythology speaks of all technological innovation as having come from the toil of a solitary inventor. This not only threatens future projects, but also the continuation of existing projects. Without competition in this field from the now-defunct USSR, and in this age of capitalist austerity and decline, more than $1 billion has been cut from the NASA budget in recent years. Since the last Apollo mission in 1973, funding for NASA has continually declined from 1.35% to less than 0.6% of the federal budget. But the recent explosion of Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares rocket on October 28, and the explosion of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo just a few days later seem to highlight the primary obstacle in the way of humanity’s development today: the private ownership of the means of production. Flight, and later space travel, were viewed as an indication of humanity’s progress and ability to overcome even the most enormous of obstacles, in this case, the Earth’s gravitational pull. ![]() Just 56 years later, in April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, when Vostok 1 made a successful orbit of the Earth. ![]() Time and time again, Jean-Luc Picard reminds us that resistance is not futile, and that we must keep fighting together.On June 23, 1905, Orville Wright became the first person to successfully fly a powered aircraft. "I felt that after 176 hours of television, which is what 'The Next Generation' was, and four feature films, that I had nothing more say," said Stewart in an interview with Rolling Stone before he was approached to star in "Picard." "Picard" is an exciting breath of fresh air for nostalgia lovers, reuniting Stewart with Trek favorites Q, played by character actor John de Lancie, and "Voyager" crew member Seven of Nine, played by Jeri Ryan. It is a serious and realistic portrayal of trauma, and only further solidifies Picard's leadership abilities he handles all of life's challenges with a grace and calm that we can only envy and hope to emulate. While many of the episodes of "The Next Generation" are standalone outings, season 4 devoted ample time to exploring Picard's PTSD as he re-acclimatizes to human life. No moment in television was scarier than the two-part "The Next Generation" episode "The Best of Both Worlds," in which the Borg capture and assimilate Picard. But the stories that I have heard, the heart-to-heart exchanges that I've had with people already, it's mind blowing." Burnham is a Starfleet captain we won't forget for centuries to come. There were bits here and there that I was not surprised by. Referring to the reactions of Star Trek fans, Martin-Green had this to say to the Associated Press: "The response that I've gotten has been overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly uplifting. Not exactly the ideal start to a hero's journey, but after Captain Lorca invites her aboard the USS Discovery to assist in the Klingon War, her destiny irrevocably changes.Īs Burnham, actress Sonequa Martin-Green makes history as the first Black woman to lead a Star Trek series what makes her rise to the top so exciting is that she doesn't become captain until season 3. After a debacle onboard the USS Shenzhou during which she incapacitated her captain, Philippa Georgiou, Burnham was charged with mutiny, subjected to a court martial, and sentenced to life in prison. Burnham is a unique entry on this list because of her criminal background. ![]()
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