A Call to Adventure: Rediscovering Wonder in the Age of Social Media

I'll confess right off the bat: I'm no engineer. My background doesn't include physics equations or the intricate dance of designing technology that reaches for the stars. But what I do have is a profound appreciation for the magic of discovery, fueled by countless conversations with friends who live and breathe engineering and design. They're the modern-day magicians, and through their eyes, I've come to see the world differently.

Lately, I've been pondering a curious shift in our cultural landscape. Remember the recent moon landing? If you blinked, you might have missed it. Gone are the days when such monumental achievements would have us glued to our TV screens, collectively holding our breath in awe. Today, amidst the endless scroll of social media, these moments of human triumph seem to whisper when they should roar. Admittedly, my wife sent me a text and asked for my thoughts on the Moon landing. I had no idea it was happening. The sad thing is, I remember growing up in the 80's and 90's and it seemed that when the Space Shuttle would launch, the world stopped. Every channel had the launch. Today, it seems, even though a lot of wonderful things are happening in the name of science, it's more practical, or advantageous to focus on all of the negative in the world.

It's a strange contrast to the past, a time when the world would stand still for the marvels of space and technology. The Apollo missions, for example, were not just scientific achievements; they were shared dreams, propelling millions towards the stars, if only in their imaginations. These were the moments that inspired legions of children to look up at the night sky in wonder, dreaming of what lies beyond.

Now, it feels as though we're losing that sense of wonder. The infinite scroll of social media feeds, filled with fleeting trends and viral moments, seems to drown out the echo of discovery. It's not that achievements in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) have ceased; it's that they no longer capture the public imagination as they once did. This shift is more than just a change in media consumption; it's a change in what captivates our collective attention.

From my vantage point, outside the world of engineering but deeply embedded in its community through friends and conversations, I see a missed opportunity. Every overlooked discovery, every underappreciated leap in technology, is a chance lost to inspire the next generation. It's not just about fostering future engineers or scientists but about nurturing curious minds that question, explore, and dream.

The diversity and collaboration inherent in today's scientific endeavors are particularly close to my heart. Space exploration has become a global tapestry, woven from the contributions of countless cultures and perspectives. Yet, this narrative of unity and progress often gets lost amidst the noise, overshadowed by more immediate, but less transformative, news.

So, how do we pivot? How do we recapture the collective imagination and inspire our youth towards discovery and adventure? The answer might lie closer than we think.

First, we need to amplify these moments of achievement, not just through traditional media, but in the spaces where our attention now resides: on social media platforms. Imagine if, alongside the latest dance craze or meme, you saw a breathtaking image from Mars or a snippet about the latest leap in renewable energy. These platforms have the power to inspire if only we curate our feeds to become windows to the wonders of our world and beyond.

Second, those of us with a foot in both worlds—the laypersons with ties to the engineering and design community—can act as bridges. By sharing our enthusiasm and leveraging our networks, we can help translate the technical into the magical, making science and discovery relatable and exciting to a broader audience.

In essence, it's about creating a culture that celebrates discovery as an adventure, one that's accessible to everyone, not just those with a technical background. It's about showing that the quest for knowledge and the push towards the unknown are not just the domain of scientists and engineers but of all of us who dream.

As someone enchanted by the possibilities of what we can achieve together, I believe it's time we start looking up again. Let's make space in our digital lives for the marvels of the physical world and beyond. By doing so, we can reignite the spark of wonder and curiosity that drives us forward, inspiring not just the next generation of engineers and scientists, but all who dream of discovery.