Essay One - Exam # 3

Changing technology is playing a very important part in our recent history. Events can become even bigger if people have the chance to watch them either live, or re-watch them to get their own perspective on what happened. The 1950's and 1960's were a couple of decades that were almost completely changed and influenced by new and changing technology. Huge events that impacted those decades were so big possibly in part because of this.

One event that technology influenced was the Presidential race between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The Presidential debate between them was in fact the first one to be televised; making it available to the public so that they could make judgements for themselves. For the first time, America could watch the candidates talk about important issues debating with each other and how they present themselves. Of course, this also meant that the candidates would have to think about more than just saying the 'right thing'; they would have to present themselves correctly as well. In this debate however, JFK and Nixon were not used to being on television like this and they did not present themselves in the best light.

Another hugely historical event that technology greatly influenced was John F. Kennedy's assassination. An enormous event in and of itself; because it was recorded with a video camera, we have access to history forever. Instead of just relying upon what many hundreds of people say happened; and we know that there would be many different stories which would lead us to not know exactly what did happen. Though, since there was a man recording the whole thing with his home video camera, we know exactly what happened. Now, since there is even more technology, we have figured out how many shots there were fired, and have figured out almost exactly where the shooter was located. But, because that piece of history was recorded, it is available to more people and more generations. Not only the people there that day to witness it in person are the only people to ever see it. The technology changed this historic event and let people witness history when it is just that; history.

Yet another historical event is the Moon landing. When the United States landed on the moon, we got video of it and now it can be watched over and over. Although, some skeptics believe that it was staged; it is a very historical event to have recorded to be available forever. Technology has changed history and just recently we have had technology to changed the future with 9/11. History has been and will continue to be influenced by changing technology.

Space Race

The United States of America engaged in the Space Race because; one, we wanted to find out if there was more we could learn about our world and our planet by learning about what is in the space around us and two, we are a very curious nation. We want only to find out more knowledge, whether that information and knowledge will be eventually helpful to us or not, we do not care. The wonder about whether or not it was a waste of resources is a different topic altogether. Why we engaged in the Space Race does not necessarily correlate with whether it was a good idea or a bad one.

Another thought related with this topic is the statement about why British Explorer, George Mallory, wanted to climb Mount Everest; he said "because it is there". The question very possibly is; did we go to the moon and to space 'because it is there'? If this is the theory we go upon when deciding what feat we want to attempt to conquer next, what will the next 'it' (Mount Everest, Space Race, etc.) be for our country? Maybe we could focus on something the people of our country collectively think is more important than the moon and would collectively be more beneficial to them as a whole. A possibility could be that of starvation and poverty in our country; over 30% of Americans are on the borderline of being in poverty. This thought is somewhat scary when you think about the money that is being spent on space exploration that could be being used to help these Americans get back on their feet. As a country, we should be spending billions of dollars a year upon something a little bit collectively more helpful to us as a united nation and country.

JFK Letter

Dear Mother,

You were 8 years old when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. That is just a little younger than I was during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. You have said that you remember the JFK assassination being a very scary time in our country, because if the president of the United States could be assassinated that easily, what hope was there for the rest of the country?

You watched as people were frightened by the tragic event, as well as the follow up and having a new president and trying to move along as a country when such a horrible thing has just happened. The country was in remorse while trying to move onto the next era with new leadership and goals.

You said that it was a very sad time in our country's history and all of America felt the repercussions of such a tragic event. This event has changed many things; future presidents cannot and could not ride in an open vehicle. JFK's assassination changed the way that famous icons, political figures, and celebrities are able to interact with the American people, and people
around the world for that matter. Such a historic event happening in your lifetime must be an amazing thing to witness, no matter how sad and tragic.

Sincerely,

Alex