Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
National

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Issues Prime Directive: Improve Quality Of Life For All

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Mar, 2015 05:14 PM
    VANCOUVER — Astronaut Chris Hadfield has commanded the International Space Station, made three flights into space and orbited the globe more than 2,300 times. 
     
    Yet he still spends time marvelling on the small things that put him there, such as the elegant mechanics of a set screw.
     
    "I constantly remind myself that, in fact, this is just a summed example of a whole bunch of tiny little innovations ... bolted to each other."
     
    Canada's most beloved and quirky space explorer spent more than an hour on Friday galvanizing up-and-coming business leaders to strive to produce innovations that help the world.
     
    Strolling through his audience of about 400, the now retired space traveller orated without notes and snapped selfies with adoring participants after garnering a standing ovation.
     
    Having a broader perspective of the planet than most of the rest of the Earth's population, the Ontario native told the room he has boiled down a "prime directive" allowing him to determine his daily actions.
     
    "For me it is, how do we improve the standard of living for as many people as possible and make it sustainable?"
     
    He went on to implore the attendees he described as well-educated to set politics aside, urging them to build better forms of energy production, improved communications systems and develop a sense of global vision.
     
    "The business that you folks are in here, the transition from what we do regularly, to what we imagine, to what we can do in the future, absolutely shapes who we are as a nation."
     
    But the most important goal outside of Earth is bringing down the cost of space travel so more people can take advantage of it, he said.
     
    He lauded billionaire space investors Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson for their on-going, brave attempts, saying he believes the cost of launch will eventually be dropped dramatically and that will play a role in equalizing the world's population.
     
    For example, it will mean cheap, disposable satellites could be launched into space to create a sky-borne world wide web of connectivity that's accessible by everyone, he said.
     
    "We need to give every single person on earth the ability to push themselves to their own personal limits, to take advantage of this human capital that exists amongst our species."
     
    His hope for global co-operation is embodied by observations that countries considered enemies on Earth are still working together in space, such as on the orbiting home for astronauts built by 15 countries.
     
    He decried Russian politics as an "abomination and scourge on the world," but commended the beleaguered nation for publicly committing to fund its part of the International Space Station for another four years.
     
    Just last month, the Russian space agency publicly announced it would stay onboard until 2024, plans in doubt after Western sanctions related to the annexation of Crimea.
     
    Hadfield called the "media hype" around colonizing Mars "ridiculous," saying far more invention is required before it's possible, and also predicted humans will inevitably weaponize space.
     
    "The real question is, how can we overlay the values of combined effort and civilization to suppress some of our natural urges that are self-destructive?"
     
    He refused to express any opinions on the role Canadian politicians play in achieving his vision, saying it's too easy to blame government for human failures.
     
    Instead, he urged Canadians to take responsibility for their individual actions.
     
    "I want people to make intelligent and informed personal decisions, and stop expecting somebody to do that for them," he said.
     
    "If what you're doing is not somehow enabling human potential, then why are you doing it?"

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Muslim Group Asks PM Stephen Harper To Drop 'Unnecessary' Veil Appeal

    Muslim Group Asks PM Stephen Harper To Drop 'Unnecessary' Veil Appeal
    The council says wearing a niqab is a personal choice just like wearing a very short dress. "Niqab during citizenship does not undermine any Canadian, Western or Christian values," the council stated in the news release.

    Muslim Group Asks PM Stephen Harper To Drop 'Unnecessary' Veil Appeal

    Hundreds March For Missing And Murdered Women In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Hundreds March For Missing And Murdered Women In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
    VANCOUVER — There was grief and outrage on the streets of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside on Saturday, as hundreds gathered to remember aboriginal women who have died or gone missing.

    Hundreds March For Missing And Murdered Women In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Avalanche Warning Issued For Backcountry In Parts Of Central B.C.

    Avalanche Warning Issued For Backcountry In Parts Of Central B.C.
    VANCOUVER — An avalanche warning is in effect for parts of British Columbia's south central interior, including the backcountry in South Columbia, Kootenay-Boundary, South Rockies and Lizard Range and Flathead regions.

    Avalanche Warning Issued For Backcountry In Parts Of Central B.C.

    B.C. Man Convicted Of Killing Three Women, One Girl Files Appeal

    B.C. Man Convicted Of Killing Three Women, One Girl Files Appeal
    VANCOUVER — A man who was convicted of killing three women and a teen girl in central British Columbia has filed an appeal.

    B.C. Man Convicted Of Killing Three Women, One Girl Files Appeal

    Book About Rape Wins $40,000 B.C. National Award For Canadian Non-fiction

    Book About Rape Wins $40,000 B.C. National Award For Canadian Non-fiction
    Karyn L. Freedman, a philosophy professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, received the prize for her book "One Hour in Paris: A True Story of Rape and Recovery."

    Book About Rape Wins $40,000 B.C. National Award For Canadian Non-fiction

    Coroner Identifies Man Who Died After RCMP Used Conducted Energy Weapon

    Coroner Identifies Man Who Died After RCMP Used Conducted Energy Weapon
    VANCOUVER — The coroners service has identified a man who died in Chilliwack, B.C., after Mounties used a conducted energy weapon.

    Coroner Identifies Man Who Died After RCMP Used Conducted Energy Weapon