Would there be a space race without the Cold War?
The Cold War was a powerful catalyst that brought about the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. At the time, it is a competition between two superpowers to determine who could conquer space first. It all started out when Russia launched the satellite Sputnik. It is interesting to note that the Russian commanders didn’t capitalized on such an achievement, but the US was certainly sparked. Because of the space race, new technologies were developed in order to make it possible, including the calculator and the computer. Once the Cold War ended, there wasn’t as much of an emphasis on space programs.
What if after World War II there is world peace and the Cold War never came about? If so, there probably wouldn’t be a space race till later on in time. If so, technological advances like the calculator and the computer would probably be developed later on. Or, it is possible that they be commercially developed rather then for military purposes. The competition that brought about by the Cold War is a key factor. Then there is also the tension and fear of possible space attacks. The same competition might arise in peace time between different developed countries, but it wouldn’t have the same life or death mind set as in the Cold War. So, as terrible as it was, the Cold War still had some positive effects.
Is there a God or not?
The discussion on Monday really reminded me about my Theory of Knowledge class, which is a high school IB course. In that class we have a lot of discussion about various philosophic questions… such as what is art, beauty, science, etc. In that class I learned each argument has logic and a premise portion to it. If either is flawed, then the whole argument may be questionable. Logic wise, using logically fallacies can be problematic like over generalization or straw man. It is also important to note the premises that the arguments are based on, as people may have different definitions of what a word or concept may mean.
Now what is some of my answers to the questions posed in class? I will admit that the class was way bigger than my ToK class, and I already had problems speaking up in my ToK class. Honest, I really don’t see much point to the questions other than to get a discussion going and to open up people’s minds. I think there is a god, but I don’t think that people can begin to imagine what it is like or what it has done. I think god transcend gender and all other humanly concepts and simply just watches over the world. In a way I believe more in random coincidences then in pre-destination. I am a passive person and don’t really care what other people believe in as it is in their rights to believe in that. But, I don’t want what other people believe in to affect me or for them to impose it on me. It is sort of a paradox. Then there is Truth. I spent a high school year learning and discussing about truth in ToK; let’s just say I am no closer to it after the course than I was before.
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/sputnik_asm.jpg
http://www.deepcold.com/deepcold/images/dc_poster_540.jpg
http://www.computer50.org/kgill/transistor/trans1.gif
http://home.planet.nl/~gkorthof/images/GOD.jpg
http://xmltwo.ibo.org/dp2006-03/oxf-theme/images/tokDiagram1En.png
