A New World: Is it Really Necessary?

North America Group.
Week 7: "Space Colonization: We have to search new worlds and create new colonies?"

A New World: Is it Really Necessary?

“That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Those were the words of Commander Neil Alden Armstrong of Apollo XI after his arrival on the moon, which undoubtedly meant that and more. It was also a breakthrough for technological development and knowledge of our universe.

That man has been able to set foot on the moon is definitely a great feat; however, this event does not diminish its importance only there.

The importance of discovering new planets lies not only in the ability to reach them, but in the research being done to achieve it.

The Apollo XI mission managed to control the health of the crew for the first time over a great distance, and as a result, there exists today the Holter monitor which monitors a patient's heart, mobile phones, and improved television and radio communications. Satellites are used to link to the nations, technologies were employed to develop new forms of food, and medicine advanced considerably. Today even the internet is an achievement of Apollo XI.

On the other hand, we could also discuss discovering or finding other worlds...

I think that sometimes millions of dollars are invested in building spacecraft for reaching another planet to study and assess whether it is possible to have life on it. But, instead of spending those millions on the search for new planets, wouldn’t it be better invested in improving what we already have?

By looking at the way EVERYONE has been "caring" for this planet, we could undoubtedly determine the fate of any new planets we may inhabit. Humanity must first learn to protect the planet that it has, emit less pollutants, use birth control, and pollute the oceans less to name a few.

Without a doubt, talking about the discovery of new planets, or a new world, and thinking of colonization is not an easy issue, and it may even be controversial.

I decide to stay with a very particular point. We should focus on the technological advances that improve our quality of life as human beings, and make them accessible to everyone in the world, not just develop, discover, and inhabit another planet. As long as we are lacking the education this world needs, surely we should leave space colonization for another time.

By NorbMX, Mexico
22 years old