Glenn and Halloween

Kathryn Aegis (aegis@igc.apc.org)
Sat, 31 Oct 1998 14:39:04 -0800 (PST)

Watching some of the news coverage of the Discovery mission, I was particularly drawn to the interviews with little schoolkids. Many of them expressed an interest in someday going into space themselves, but they also expressed their feelings about the launch of John Glenn into orbit through a filter of fear. It suddenly struck me, many of these children have a first memory of the space program that involved seeing a teacher get blown to bits. Our generation, most of us have positive early memories of seeing exciting new achievements in space, the overcoming of danger, brave men and women facing new frontiers. My own first recorded memory is one of standing in front of the television, watching the first steps on the moon.

I would be curious to know whether anyone sees little trickortreaters dressed as astronauts this year. On halloween, children dress as their fantasies, or as their fears. I haven't seen robots or astronauts in many years.

Wishing you a happy and treat-laden eve,

Kathryn Aegis