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要不要进行太空探索
Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible
exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and other planets).
Other people disagree ant think governments should spend this money for our
basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use
specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Even people born after 1968 can easily name the first man to land on the
moon; we have all seen the black and white footage of Neil Armstrong in a space
suit taking slow, bounding steps to plant an American flag on the moon’s
surface. Now, forty years later, some might suggest that governments should
continue exploring outer space, and should even devote a healthy amount of money
from their budgets to this end. However, the needs of our world have changed,
and we must prioritize our spending accordingly and allocate our financial
resources to helping the Earth itself.
When we consider the exploration of outer space that had its heyday in the
1950’s and 1960’s, we must also consider the political factors that were present
here on Earth. During the Cold War, countries like the United States and the
Soviet Union were interested in displaying their intellectual, scientific and
financial resources, and outer space became the arena in which this took place.
The ‘‘Space Race’’ culminated in 1968 when the United States landed the first
astronauts on the moon. Space exploration was of the extreme interest to
ordinary citizens, but was connected to themes of national strength and
patriotism.
Now, as we consider whether to continue the exploration of outer space, our
world is faced with a different set of circumstances. Governments are less
preoccupied with their standing in the world, and more interested in the
well-being of those who live in it. The greatest threat to our well-being is our
damaged environment, and this is a concern of the entire world. For example,
pollution caused by factories in South America might contribute to rising water
levels in Bangladesh. Space exploration would require a great outlay of money on
equipment, personnel and fuel; instead we must allot our financial resources
toward cooperating with other countries to improve the environment and help make
life more bearable for our fellow citizens on earth.
In summary, those who were alive during the Age of Exploration of the
1950’s and 1960’s can remember the excitement of that era; the scientific
findings of those missions to outer space have provided precious insights into
the universe beyond Earth. However, one of the goals of governments pursuing
space exploration was to provide a show of strength for their countries. Now,
the best way a government can show its strength is to show that it cares for its
fellow citizens around the world. |
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发表于 2018-12-8 10:33:34