Death of a Pioneer

Neil Armstrong has died. I find this immensely sad, in that the man who took that great symbolic step onto the moon is no longer with us. What's more, he has died in a time when that feat is unequalled in current achievement and unsurpassed in human exploration.

Had someone, anyone, set foot on any third planetary body (considering Earth as the first and the Moon as the second) before his passing, it may not be quite so depressing an event in the sphere of human achievement. This having not been done, his death is a step in the extinction of humanity as a space-faring race and, ultimately, in our extinction overall.

If we as a species do not now seek to recapture that achievement and surpass it, then we leave ourselves vulnerable and bereft. We will see the Apollo astronauts and others die in their turn and, with them, witness the passing of a generation of humanity that tried to move beyond its cradle.

I do not wish to diminish the achievements of the astronauts of today, or the engineers and scientists who strive still. Great things are accomplished daily in the operation of the International Space Station and our robotic probes ─ Curiosity on Mars and Voyagers 1 and 2 nearing the edge of interstellar space ─ but humanity stays confined to its cradle. Even the ISS occupies low Earth orbit, enjoying the protection of our planet's magnetosphere. Today's accomplishments, though astounding feats of science and engineering, are cautious and hesitant.

Neil Armstrong, along with his fellows in the Apollo programme, embodied the ancient spirit of exploration. In centuries past brave men set sail across oceans whose expanse they could scarcely realise in the hope of reaching new and wonderful places. Often they were thought foolhardy, or mad, for their endeavours. Some believed the same of the Apollo programme. Today some see the human exploration of space as a waste, needless expense and unreasonable risk ─ foolhardy and mad.

The pioneers of centuries past were but the first of many and though the results of their exploration were often sullied with conquest we must recognise the optimism, bravery and accomplishment that was theirs. Neil Armstrong was one of the first, and the greatest symbolic hero, of generations whose achievements would be far greater in stature and free from the quagmire of conquest and oppression of others; there will be no natives to conquer on the Moon, Mars or other planetary bodies in the Solar system. Alas, he has not lived to see others carry the torch to new worlds.

May he rest in peace. May we not rest on his laurels.

I'm writing a children's story

I recently learned that a friend of mine has begun writing a story to read to the child that he and his partner are expecting. I found the idea wonderful, and have taken inspiration from his example.

My fiancée and I will marry this year and are planning to start a family, so I've started writing a story too. It's quite literally a faery tale, in the contemporary setting of a family home.

At this point I am 18 manuscript pages in, which is more than I've ever written in a story before. I usually write very short stories, some of which I've released as ebooks which are now somewhere in the wild. This was before the Kindle got going, when ebook self-publishing was a bit more hit and miss. But the point is that in this instance, at 18 pages, I'm still very much at the beginning of my story.

You may well have picked up on my use of the term "manuscript pages". Like many people I have long dreamt of publishing a book in the traditional manner and, with my determination to complete this story and others that would form a series, can not help but hope to publish my current project. It's by no means vital as it is, first and foremost, a story for my own children but it would be nice to be able to realise the dream.

At the same time I wonder if its right. Should one seek to publish a story written for one's own children? It's been done before, but that doesn't make it right. I will continue to mull that matter.

Another goal of mine is to share the story with friends of ours who have children. I want to share the story once I've finished my first draft, to get feedback from my friends as I value their opinions very highly. Obviously there is an element of free editing in that process, but I would do no less for my friends. Besides, published or not, if my friends like what I write I would gladly share it with them.

Is that big headed? Or selfish? I hope not.

Besides, I am not a great optimist. I do not really believe that I would be particularly likely to win over a publisher. Nor am I comfortable the expense of literary agents, professional manuscript review or other services sought in so speculative a manner.

So, either I could self publish, through vanity publishers like Lulu or by releasing an ebook, or I could simply keep the story for myself and give copies to friends if they were interested. The first option would go some way to satisfying my dream of publication, but the latter options may be of greater integrity.

But the thing that's most pleasing is how little all of that matters, despite the time that I clearly spend considering it. Because what really matters is that I create a story for my children, and for their children. A story of friendship and family with adventure and action and a basis in comfort and safety. I think I'm doing quite well, I hope my future children agree.