Tom Wolfe covered the last Apollo moon launch, in December 1972, for Rolling Stone. But he found himself more interested in the astronauts than in the mission. He spoke with them and heard a collective voice, which he transcribed for the magazine’s readers.
I had read Tom Wolfe's observations way back then and thought it represented an interesting departure from the usual journalism. His tribute to these 1970's astronauts and their fighter pilot skills raised some good issues. Often thought about what it is about the psychological makeup of these individuals who constantly pursue danger to these limits. One could call it the Right Stuff that few of us possess, or is it mindless courage and maybe the kind one could admire but prefer not to? Given the inescapable reality of constant war, perhaps we will always depend on the need for this warrior class, something along the line of Plato's social structure presented in the Republic. There are of course, many kinds of courage, not always death defying but dangerous nevertheless.
Lincoln certainly exhibited courage in the last decades of his life forcing the antislavery issues within an explosive environment of conflicting moral challenges knowing the final outcome would be filled with violence and danger. All said, I too admire the skills, the drive and the daring of these astronauts.
One of the best astronaut stories I ever read came from Douglas Brinkley in his book American Moonshot. He told a story how after 9/11 he had an interview scheduled with Armstrong in Houston. Brinkley was sad but understood that commercial airlines were not going to be quite the same a week later. Armstrong personally flew his plane to Houston to fulfill his obligation. Apparently he was well known for that.
I had read Tom Wolfe's observations way back then and thought it represented an interesting departure from the usual journalism. His tribute to these 1970's astronauts and their fighter pilot skills raised some good issues. Often thought about what it is about the psychological makeup of these individuals who constantly pursue danger to these limits. One could call it the Right Stuff that few of us possess, or is it mindless courage and maybe the kind one could admire but prefer not to? Given the inescapable reality of constant war, perhaps we will always depend on the need for this warrior class, something along the line of Plato's social structure presented in the Republic. There are of course, many kinds of courage, not always death defying but dangerous nevertheless.
Lincoln certainly exhibited courage in the last decades of his life forcing the antislavery issues within an explosive environment of conflicting moral challenges knowing the final outcome would be filled with violence and danger. All said, I too admire the skills, the drive and the daring of these astronauts.
You find such fascinating stuff to share with us. This one was exceptional. Thanks so much.
One of the best astronaut stories I ever read came from Douglas Brinkley in his book American Moonshot. He told a story how after 9/11 he had an interview scheduled with Armstrong in Houston. Brinkley was sad but understood that commercial airlines were not going to be quite the same a week later. Armstrong personally flew his plane to Houston to fulfill his obligation. Apparently he was well known for that.
Apparently it ate at Al Shepherd that he never saw combat.