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In 1969, humans landed on the Moon. But why? Why did we go? Look at anything with the perspective of decades and it can seem inevitable. How often do we ever stop, look the things around us and ask: How did it get that way? When it comes to the question: Why did we go to the Moon, the answer has a little bit to do with science and a lot to do with politics. In this program we learn how the Democrats rode Sputnik to the White House in a campaign that forever changed science, technology and academia in America.
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Piece Description
In 1969, humans landed on the Moon. But why? Why did we go? Look at anything with the perspective of decades and it can seem inevitable. How often do we ever stop, look the things around us and ask: How did it get that way? When it comes to the question: Why did we go to the Moon, the answer has a little bit to do with science and a lot to do with politics. In this program we learn how the Democrats rode Sputnik to the White House in a campaign that forever changed science, technology and academia in America.
2 Comments
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Fascinating! This put my youth into perspectiveI was born in 1954, and this excellent, informative and entertaining piece helped put much of what I experienced during my youth into perspective. With regard to the comment that a whole generation wasted time learning "New Math." What a relief it was to hear you confirm what I'd always suspected! I'll never forget the day my 8th grade teacher, the elderly Sister Katherine, in a fit of frustration told us to put our New Math books under our desks for the day while she taught us "something useful," namely how to figure percentages. I think of her every time I calculate the cheaper item at the grocery store! I have yet to find a use for "base 8." |
Transcript
In 1969, humans landed on the moon.
NEIL ARMSTRONG: Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.
But why? Why did we go?
KENNEDY: We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.
The answer has a little bit to do with science.
ANNOUNCER: Today a new moon is in the sky.
And a lot to do with politics
REEDY: And what he said was that this could clobber the Republicans and elect Lyndon Johnson as president.
And while – all these years later many question why we went; in some ways, it changed everything.
LESLIE: It certainly blurred the conventional distinctions between what universities do, and what a Defense agency or the government would do.
In this hour: How the Democrats rode Sputnik to the White House
JOHNSON: tonight we’re trying to calculate how long it will take us to catc...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Billboard :59
In: In 1969, humans landed
OQ: after this hour's news
News Hole Music 5:00
Segment A 14:59
In: Funding for the following program was provided by the National Science Foundation
OQ: After a break. Stay with us.
Break Music :59
Segment B 19:29
In: This is "Rocketing Ahead" from Soundprint
OQ: ...from Soundprint and producer Richard Paul
Break Music :59
Segment C 16:29
In: This is "Rocketing Ahead" from Soundprint
OQ: out-of-this-world-science-dot-org.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sputnik (Satellite Girl) | Jerry Engler | Moonage Timequake. | 2009 Righteous / Cherry Red Records | 0 | 00:00 |
| Beep! Beep! | Louis Prima | Capitol Collectors Series. | Capitol Records, Inc. | 1991 | 00:00 |
| Sputnik Baby | Roosevelt Sykes | Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 10. | Document Records | 1994 | 00:00 |
| 'Sputniks and Mutniks | Ray Anderson and the Homefolks | 00:00 |
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Charles Spencer
Posted on April 15, 2010 at 12:29 AM | Permalink
New Math!
Being born in 57, I guess that I was taught New Math. I'm not sure what the difference's all were but I do know that I've never been able to understand why people seem to talk backwards; eight divided into four means the same as eight divided by four to me and the answer is 2!
Using various bases was of course necessary for understanding the fundamentals of computer logic. To the dismay of my teachers, I myself didn't learn the math tables, and I doubt that they would have predicted my taking electrical engineering in college. It's a pity the powers that be so often see learning as a exercise of willpower rather than a wonderful journey of discovery. It's amazing that we have made what progress that we have with so many being taught to hate learning!