No Need for Speed

Apollo 10

After centuries in which we have constantly increased to speed of travel, humanity now finds itself slowing down. When NASA finally retires the space shuttle program this year, our top speed will be equivalent to that which our grandparents experienced flying the "friendly skies" in the mid-1960s. This is apparently the cause for some gloomy consideration for Daniel Michaels of the Wall Street Journal, in his article "Putting on the Brakes: Mankind Nears the End of the Age of Speed."

Although I disagree with the feel of his article, I found it to be an interesting read. He gives a quick overview of the history of speed, from early trains to Space Age aviation. This is a fascinating topic and does exemplify a core aspect of modern humanity, the Need for Speed. It's part of the Holy Trinity of 20th century American aesthetics of success, "Bigger, Faster, Stronger."

Pontiac GTO. General Motors.

Although I respect the accomplishment of the "Age of Speed", I'm not too sad to see it pass. First, I believe we will be seeing improvements in worldwide average speed of travel as transportation infrastructure is modernized globally. That's way more important than adding another 0.1 Mach speed to a jet that only a few will fly.

Second, I believe that there will eventually be a manned Mission to Mars. This technological feat will necessitate advancements in our space travel times. Interplanetary journeys simply must be at high speeds if they are meant to transport humans.

Third, I hold efficiency to be superior to speed. It doesn't matter if a jet takes a zillion hours to transport me from Los Angeles to Tokyo, if I can use telecommunications to avoid the need for such travel. Short of teleportation, humanity isn't going to design a mode of transport faster than virtual projectiongs.

Therefore, it is important to recognize the great technological accomplishments of the Age of Speed, but it is equally important to see that the Information Age will be leading us to innovations that will seem just as amazing as the contrast between horses and space shuttles. A world with no need for speed.

Here's a link the the WSJ article: Putting on the Brakes

Here are few Wikipedia pages of interest for the Age of Speed:

Stephenson's Rocket

Blackbird SR-71

Concorde

Apollo 10


Enjoy!!!