"Let's Keep Racing on the Tracks" Today, the average American driver is unconsciously turning himself into an unwitting murderer. During the last ten years there has been a great emphasis put on horse power by the nation's leading automobile manufacturers. This concept has been widely accepted by the average consumer. Since the car was first introduced in a practical form by Ford in 1908, the ratio between weight and horse power has steadily increased. For the most part John Q. Driver is conscious of this fact, but because added driving speeds are almost common place today, the driver conforms, thus making his vehicle a potential murder weapon. The modern driver has a unique advantage over his grandparents, in the fact that he can own a modern automobile. He must, however, realize the tremendous source of power is at his command. The increase in total traffic deaths in the last five years undoubtedly proves he is not aware of this. Unless all of today's drivers realize this situation, death will continue to prevail over our nation's highways. ~ John Tiffany
"The Race to Space" Much comment has been directed at the use of such phenomenal expenditures as have lately been appropriated for missile development. Many well informed persons have questioned whether this is necessary to our national defense. There should be no doubt as to the necessity of conquering outer space before such a rival power as the U.S.S.R. does. By conquering space, I do not mean accelerating a monkey or a dog into orbit; I mean putting a manned space station in a strategic position. Some complacent persons have expressed the sentiment, why go to the moon, there is nothing there. The strategic value of such a base for observing activity on the earth would have decisive value in an all-out war. There is another possible purpose for utilizing our natural satellite other than reconnaissance. It is a known fact among astronomers that the speed of rotation of the earth and the moon are almost identical; for this reason the same side of the moon is always facing us. Assuming a rival power could land missiles on the other side of the moon and mobilize for an attack, they would be completely free from possibility of detection - until it was too late. To summarize, I think national defense is at a crucial point, a time at which man, through scientific achievement, has developed terrible weapons of destruction which hold the capability of annihilating the races who develop them from the earth. ~ Douglas Gibford
"On Conformity" Granted, trivial changes take place each day, but how often do we remold our ideas or change our opinion of a contemporary? Seldom does such action take place. We attempt to act in accordance with the accepted principles of the group whose recognition we most desire. This, to a degree, is advantageous. Most of our anti-social actions are fettered by fear of becoming an outcast. Carried beyond the proper limit, this bid for acceptance causes the oblivion of the individual. This results in an unhealthy uniformity and eventually stagnation. It is the nonconformist who is responsible for progress. When has a mass ever produced anything efficiently as an individual? As Nietpscheso apply stated it, "Insanity in individuals is something rare, but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule. Whenever conformity is carried too far, inevitably progress is inhibited. The true non-conformist is not pertinacious. He is not different as an end in itself, but rather he is progressive; he does something because he feels it is a better choice than that chosen by the majority. Here is a challenge for all. Seek the proper degree of nonconformity and be rigid; watch the mass drift blindly. Even the best of thinking is, however, futile if it does not manifest itself. Plato believed the superior man preferred thought over action. This academic approach to life has been superseded by an applied philosophy. "When next you realize a prolific idea, act - do not fear to stand alone, for this is courage" (Emerson). ~ Edward Smith