Space Exploration

Humans have dreamed of leaving the earth and traveling space for many years, and up to this day they have taken many steps in the right direction. Yet, with every new frontier they approach, new problems loom over the horizon. Some of these problems arise right here on Earth. Some of the issues have been resolved, such as escaping the forces of gravity to reach outer space. Most of the problems are far more arduous and the solutions need more time to be worked out properly. In “The Coming Schism” by James E. and Alcestis R. Oberg, they posit that humans can colonize space. Humans need to buckle up and build the technology which will help to solve problems that would arise to settle outside earth. The Obergs use comparative strategy that is to use the yardstick of the past to measure future to convince the reader that the colonization of space is possible, if problems such as, communication, cultural conflict and the rejection to space exploration is solved. The solutions to the problem are important for the journey to space, because they all have the potential to disrupt progress.

The Obergs try to convince the reader by using comparative strategy to argue that if problems like communication is solved humans would be able to colonize space.

Comparison of the past makes humans understand the situation in a better manner. The Obergs using the past data says” Dialogue will not be any more possible than it was for colonial America and the British Parliament. Belter speeches of independence may be like those of the American Revolutionary, long, eloquent, carefully reasoned documents of principle (Obergs 22).” The entire world knows about the history of British as they were known for colonization, and how they got defeated in America. The lack of communication leads to the defeat of British. The Obergs compares the historical act with the communication problem that would arise due to the huge distance between spacers and earthers.

This comparison makes reader understand that communication is a threat for the development of space travel. Let’s consider the most recent example of the Columbia tragedy. Lower level engineers tried to relay the possibility of a problem to the higher officials who would relay it to the astronauts on the Columbia spacecraft, and warn them of a possible danger. But the letters never made it that far and because of this communication block, the astronauts were unaware of the possible danger awaiting them. Therefore, if the problem of communication is not solved by developing the technology it might lead to the failure of space travel. This comparative strategy makes readers connect themselves with Obergs view point that the problem of communication would have a significant impact on space colonization as the distance between earthers and spacers will be vast.

The Obergs persuades the reader using comparative argument that overcoming cultural conflict for the survival in space is important. Different types of culture conflict causes problems right here on Earth, so they may cause problems in space. The Obergs say “In spite of their probably international make – up, permanent population of off-worlders will sooner or later become identified with one another rather then with their nation of origin (Obergs 20).” Humans have a tendency to relate to their origin. To forget their race or identify is a problem for humans. The race and its superiority have lead to many wars. This can be compared in way to the cultural differences between the United States and the Taliban. These differences started to surface in the manner of devastating attacks due to differences in races. If the indentify of origin is not sacrificed then the same could happen between the spacers. The strategy of comparing earthly life where individuality prevails with that of space life makes readers think that people have to leave their individuality and start focusing as a group. The survival of spacers is possible only if worked as a team and not as an individual. This convinces the reader that cultural conflict if not solved would become a problem for space colonization.

The Obergs use comparative strategy to persuade reader that humans should not reject space exploration. Past experience when compared with the present situation helps readers in picturing what will happen if the history is repeated. The Obergs states that” We have the maps of the mind, and we have the spaceship and the spacefarers, and for the moment we have the will. We can not turn our back on space as china once turned its

back to the sea (Oberg and Oberg 3).” The Obergs uses “China” as most of the people have read the history of China. This comparison also works for those people who don’t know the history of China as they have to study the history to understand what the Obergs wants to convey. In present time China is the most important country, so their past is always of interest for the readers. Just the way China had turned its back quite literally on the sea and had experienced a rapid decline due to isolation. In the same ways if humans reject space exploration and isolate them-selves from the space they would be in danger their own species. Therefore the Obergs compares China’s history to measure the future and persuade the reader that humans should not reject space exploration and start colonizing space.

In the end, there are a myriad of problems that face space exploration. Some of them are small and easy to overcome, but others are huge and need more planning. The recent Columbia tragedy shows us that we have not conquered space yet and that there are still many things that can go wrong. Some of the problems that occur here on Earth will also occur in space. To help smooth the problematic path ahead for space exploration, major problems such as communication, cultural differences and rejection to space exploration should be solved at the present time. These problems cannot just be left on the back burner and ignored; they are important and should be at the top priority when considering how to further our journey into space.