It is a far cry from the day when some cautious conservative remarked, "If the good Lord had meant us to fly, he would have given us wings." Air travel is now thought no more extraordinary than land or sea journeying. Man no longer "cries for the moon." He goes to it and brings some of it back. And millions around the world watch the operation from the comfort of their own homes.
The great liberation of thought in this century, channeled into scientific technology, is bringing continuous changes to human living. It has made our universe both smaller and bigger. And it prompts deep inward questioning.
Where are we going? And do we want to go? A recent play had a title: "Stop the World—I Want To Get Off!" It was a title with some appeal. Many feel that with the ends of the earth and outer space brought to their doorstep by instant communications and ever faster travel they are on a bolting horse, or that their skis are shooting out from under them down far too steep a slope. We ask where it all will end? And what is the point of it anyhow? Is it going to make us happier or more confused? Less afraid or more afraid?
