Who wants to go to Mars?

The idea of a trip to Mars appeals to me because no earthling has ever done it before, and whether it's a one-way trip or a two-way trip, someone's got to it - even if the only reason for it is just because we can. It might not be urgent, but who wouldn't want to know what it's like up there?

To be the first Homo sapiens sapiens to set foot on the red planet, and to explore the terrain and collect samples firsthand on behalf of the rest of humanity, would be such a great honor. I am pretty sure that NASA has people who are more than qualified to do this and deserve the honor more than anybody else. Which is why I don't think it is a good idea to turn this into a reality television show and have a popular vote decide who makes it to Mars. I may be young but I've seen enough democratic elections to observe that popularity is not a measure of skill or character.

But if Mars One's plan is final, everyone might as well compete to become one of the first Earth-born Martians, and cross our fingers that whoever wins will indeed be up for the job.

Everyone knows what it's like to be dead

Everyone knows what it's like to be dead
'cause everyone knows what's in like when in bed,
when not even dreams come between you and rest,
when each conscious thought is an unwelcome guest.

We've opened our eyes after countless eons
thanks to the stars that fill skies by the billions
and also our forebears who have sown their seeds
and passed on to us all the fruits of their deeds.

Our time may be short, the day may be fleeting
- it need not be forever to have meaning.
And going to sleep isn't something to dread
for everyone knows what it's like to be dead.

Reflecting on the brevity of life and the frivolousness of nature. Apparently, we have spent and will continue to spend billions of years being dead.

*Also posted in my DeviantArt account. 

Thank you, Neil Armstrong

The world mourns Neil Armstrong, one of those brave souls who dared to venture into what was then unknown, just so the rest of us can know what lies out there. May those footprints on the surface of the moon continue to inspire future generations of scientists, thinkers, and explorers.

We might never get to see humanity conquer even our tiny solar system during our lifetimes, but that doesn't make this past and present century's achievements any less amazing, or less significant. It is through these small steps that we shall continue to push our limits.

Neil Armstrong was so much more than an American hero. He helped achieve that one giant leap for all of earthly life. To him, and the rest of the men and women, as well as the non-humans, involved in past and present space programs, we are eternally grateful.