The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-11
M. E.TracySays:I

DO not quarrel with efforts to acquire
/ knowledge. no matter how farfetched or
abstruse they may appear, but l know nothing
that interests me less than the question OF
whether the universe is growing bigger OF
smaller
fail to see what we poor human beings
could do about it in either case, and I doubt
whether it lies within our capacity to differ
entiate between a temporary or permanent
phase of cosmic development.
The universe is a rather large affair, with
rather long record of existence. We occupy one
of the smallest of the millions or billions oil
little specks which float around in it.
Since our destiny is bound up with that
speck, it strikes me that we would be wiser IN
devoting our time and attention to its prospects
and possibilities before we launch out into
space.
What we do not know about the earth is
sufficiently impressive to discourage an I'M
necessary amount Of speculation concerning
other planets much less the cosmos.
Like Robinson Crusoe we live on an island
from which We export nothing and into which
the cosmos sends very little. except light, heat,
and a meteor now and then.
IIAD Robinson Crusoe devoted his time to
L il specializing on winds and ocean currents,
he might have died great scholar but the i'm
portant point is that ne would have died. BY
studying the resources Of his little island and
making the best possible use of them, he lived
to become hero. a model. and an inspiration
for ten generations of young people.
We could do worse than emulate his example,
especially since We hardly have scratched the
surface Of this mysterious old ball.
After several thousand years Of migrating
and exploring We have done fairly good lob
of mapping the land and charting the sea, but
all that has to do only with the surface. When
it comes to things high over head or low under
foot, We are as ignorant as savages.
We have an idea that the interior of the
earth is pretty hot. but We have made COM
parativey little effort TO find out, much less TO
utilize, the energy it represents. Our deepest
shafts have not penetrated two miles
Who knows what we might discover, not as
a matter Of curiosity, but as a matter Of prsc-
teal benefit, if we were to dig down five or six
miles
Engineers say it can be done for 80 or 40
million dollars and that if our deductions are
correct. we would find a practically exhaustless
source Of heat, light and power.
TN the same way. We are ignorant of what is
IL beyond the atmosphere, or of conditions in
its upper reaches. We assume that IL extends
upperward from so 10 100 miles and that abso-
lutte darkness and absolute cold prevail outside
its limits.
We have sent balloons up fifteen or twenty
miles. while man actually has assembled nearly
twelve. All that leaves a lot TO the imagina-
ton. however.
Even when II comes to the surface OF the
earth. We have much to learn. The polar regions
still represent a great mystery which NAV con-
ceal many things that man could use TO his own
advantage
Whether it is a question OF sinking shafts
in the land. sounding the sea. or going up in
the air, this old earth leaves a lot of room for
adventure and the acQuirsuasns Of knowledge.