Source: WGBH Forum Network | Public Domain Podcast Podcast

Alan Bean: The Life of An Astronaut

Title: Alan Bean: The Life of An Astronaut

Published: Tue, 21 Jul 2009

Description: Space pioneer Alan Bean talks about his life as an astronaut (and artist) in a lecture at the Museum of Science, Boston. Bean is the fourth of only twelve humans to have walked on the Moon. Find out what it was like as he describes the life of an astronaut. Learn about his role in the Apollo 12 mission in 1969, his experience as a spacecraft commander of the second Skylab mission in 1973 (when he spent 59 days in orbit!) and his 1,600+ hours in space prior to his 1981 NASA retirement. Bean also discusses how he uses his unique paintings to document humankind's first lunar explorations.

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Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" This is the WGBH four on the net for. Good evening and welcome to the 2000 -- Lowell lecture on astronomy. Generously funded by the Lowell institute and organized every year by the Charles Hayden Planetarium. I'm Robin Simon on the director of the planetary. I want to -- public television station WGBH. For collaborating with us to make this exciting event available to a wider audience. And -- to the reason that we're all here tonight. Like a quick show of hands. How many you have been to the -- Nobody. A young man over here. Nobody yeah okay. I know what are we gonna do there is one person here who really has been to them. And is -- great honor to introduce him to you and tell you a little bit about his career. Allen dean has had a fascinating career he was an aeronautical engineer. Naval aviator. Astronauts. And now an accomplished artist. Creating paintings that record humankind first exploration of another world. As Apollo twelve lunar module pilot captain Allen being became the fourth man to set foot on the moon. As spacecraft commander of the second skylab mission. He lived for 59 days in space 27270. Miles above beautiful plan. His crew accomplished 150%. Of their pre mission goals. We had never done that in my department here. Why is that. A record that has not been surpassed before or cents. During his career as an astronaut Alan helped establish eleven world records in aeronautics and instincts. Allen left the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In 1981. To paint his experiences. And those of his fellow astronauts on them. The individuals. Who first traveled. To space. And in particular those who went to the moon. A remarkable human beings. They had courage beyond what most of us can imagine. They had skills training and intelligence. That most of us could not compete -- One of them is also an artist. Who painted his experiences on another world. Every culture. Needs courageous and brilliant innovators. Who can and will travel to the frontier. Every culture also even more. Needs artists. Who can interpret that experience of the frontier. Allen being used both."

" We have an exciting video that will help to introduce astronaut team."

" Love that name not being I'm very easy but did unveil mom maybe god I'm gold. Well deserved to organize and make it -- that's. Our energies and skills. Because that challenges one that's where. One we aren't lending to home. Yeah okay."

" Man descent through the."

" Okay. Running -- My job."

" Spacecraft commander of the second skylab mission. During his illustrious career as an aeronautical engineer. Many believe it. Test pilot and -- Allen dean has been instrumental. In establishing a -- of them were losing records in aeronautics and space. Captain -- has reached unparalleled. Not only in aeronautics. And also -- television. Film education. And the visual arts. His artwork she's been featured on national and international television. He is received honorary doctorate degrees. Texas Wesleyan college and the University of Akron. And he has flown over 25 types of military aircraft. In all of -- endeavors he has demonstrated a profound dedication to team. I hope -- I'm working towards well defined goals and an understanding of the importance of taking -- He has proven that we truly can expand the boundaries of what we need is an individual human beings can count. Captain. The term sustained effort. An extraordinary. Dedication. Human beings can go where ever we jury."

" Okay."

" Please join me in welcoming captain --"

" Hello fellow earthlings. --"

" Human beings. Earthlings and human beings we had been given a great. Great years for child talk about that night. But the first one is that fact. Six point four billion people alive this earth right now supposedly. There's not a single one like anyone in this room. There's a single one like this girl right here or will ever be like this girl. Sits. Humans stood up right long years ago. Until. The end of time there'll never be a person like this gentleman right here. Okay. With that uniqueness that great gift. That means that within and I think we've had these feelings most of us we've got a song to -- We've got a story it now. We've got something to do -- our life that no one else can do. That. Is part of the great gift. We are this special unique. Human being on this earth. We've got to figure out what we can do with these unique things we've been given. That's the basic problem of life I think. It's one that. We've got to -- of Richard got a plan to -- to -- and talked about that a little tonight and talk a little bit about. Going to them and what we did. I'm gonna tell you that number one thing I learned in my eight years us. Now and I do. Mean yeah you're gonna say that's not much for him to -- eighteen years. I argued though that. It is my opinion that -- many people know this or have heard or say they do it when I look around there not doing it. So I try to do it. Talk a little bit more about that later. Remember this is human beings we hear there dreamers. Where the doers. If anything has. Ought to happen on this earth we're gonna have to do it. People just like -- people just like us have got to find a way to do things."

" I came to NASA in 1963. -- was a pilot -- you heard. I hadn't done anything amazing in my life certainly haven't achieved an impossible dream. So why go to NASA and I think. This is okay they're gonna I'll be surrounded by genius is. They'll teach me how to go to the -- they'll build rockets they'll run mission control I don't have to be anymore -- I am right now. -- navy pilot because -- When I got there there's the Johnson Space Center in the background. I'd be meetings similar to this I'd be in the macro somewhere in some -- standing up here and I would say to myself. -- and smarter than. And that was scary. Because I didn't do that I couldn't figure out. Much of what -- what to do the little it is going around the earth that 2300 miles and earth and the moon are going around. Aside 66000. Miles an hour in the whole business is going through the universe a million miles and a I didn't think -- had advanced calculus college differential equations I didn't do that great. I knew I could never figure out which way to point erupted -- Maybe I could learn to -- okay apart arrived at -- make is this. We know how to do this none of us know how to get to the minute we didn't have the right technology to do it. But somehow. Now we believed. That working together. That we would find a way to get to the we would achievement possible during and we've never not opposite -- achieved an impossible dream report. One last point. You never take -- test your life no one in this room has ever taken netcast that says what you can do with your life. It's here's how successful you -- in the future take lots of tips and tell what you know now. None of them say this person could do this great thing with their life. So wide open we've been given as wide open gift to make something out of our life. Anything we really are willing to do now what. Turns out we didn't have to know all of those things. We had to know its pilots as astronauts we had to know how to control the rocket when it went -- we didn't have to build it. We didn't have to make this face here. We did after it usually know how well we could use saying we didn't have to figure out which way to point the rocket of people in mission control would that. They didn't have to know what we we broke up into teams. Essentially and so I'll tell -- astronauts that we got to go to them and we've got explorer. -- what can we do and 16 gravity. We knew that Forbes physicists and astronomers we knew the gravity which one's so here I -- MySpace news. And that little devices that device when you -- Which lifted. 56 of my way up in that would allow me to move around and see how might feel on the moon. Now you might see if you look at closely frowning and that's because is that they lifted up that says it did lift me. And so I'm getting one of the first space -- she's ever. And stuff. I don't like it that much. So I said let's put this down we patted issued as best we knew how. We we got down I got obviously we talked about it we repetitive an extra three days I tried it again didn't work so good. We even tried one time filling it with water thinking a -- floating in there and that would help didn't work it was a message and -- Finally we found ways to -- It worked pretty good. We knew getting to the -- was going to be difficult we knew what going to be possible to figure all this thing out the first time we just had to have. A good heart and a good energy -- not discouraged if this didn't work go home and think about it try to figure out what to do and in. How to correctly and -- try that didn't work go back and try to figure that out and do it and that's how we did most things. Most adults won't do that kids will do that kids don't like a lot of mistakes not bother. And they keep going finally learn these things so now we get in adults. We don't wanna do that and more we're getting bears are friends we'll see -- as a failed to do something -- we just given up. We got to overcome those things because every time you learn something that's part but we didn't work all the time. General Motors said you don't. These guys are getting their picture in the paper all the time let's give him some cars to drive around. Maybe they'll get their picture in the paper with the cars that we thought that was a pretty good idea. It's now. They did come around to me when the new cars came out the new models -- say what we're gonna give you two cars which ones do you walk alone really. And so I usually get a court that I have a corporate it was red and when your black all these things we at all it was more fun and go to my wife what does she what one -- she wanted to convertibles we've got that. Pictures you want to station it was fun it was the deal were still alive but it's not. Here's three of bison -- 69 rolled around and we found out we were going to be the second crew to go to the moon or make the -- talk about that. An accurate Pete Conrad the commander. Dick Gordon gonna stay in the command module and keep track of it and neither lunar module pilot we've got our cars Hussein we were all navy pilots and we were very good friends and really got along really good with the children. We thought we had the greatest job in the world. Who wouldn't if you -- go to the moon every day you're working hard but really you're -- Boy there's the -- and I'm gonna go there and your friends were starting to go. And it's funny than men to me now looks different than it did -- then in those days it looked pretty close it didn't look all that far away. Because we were in the simulators -- going there and we were watching out for eons ago in -- in and -- it's far away. There's no rockets around they could ever get to them without maybe ten years from building something so the -- is drifted orbit. Psychologically is drifted much further away than it was when we were doing this. Well we were all training to."

" Three careers. We had three crew is training to make the first wonderland. And we had to do it by the end of the decade so we said we're gonna send Apollo eleven up. In July if they make it that's great but if they don't. We'll send Apollo twelve in September 2 months later. And if they don't make it will send Apollo thirteen up too much later and that gives us 3 November. That gives us three opportunities to get to the -- as -- say we knew this wasn't going to be easy. We actually bought three extra -- modules through tech rockets. As we said we're gonna lose people do and us there's no way to do this impossible dream. And do use technology it's just on the very edge of what humans can do at the moment. And not have some mistakes humans are great. But we're not perfect. So we knew that we said we're gonna give it a bad shot. But whatever happens is worth that. So that was the idea we've lost a whole crew Iraq and everything else. And Apollo one before you got off the first flight and of course those of you who've seen the movie Apollo thirteen we almost lost him. So we -- too far wrong about was gonna go. July rolls around Apollo eleven launches there goes their rocket. Deal Armstrong Buzz Aldrin. Mike Collins we don't know we know it's tough we wonder where if they're gonna make it. And so all of a sudden there's Buzz Aldrin on the moon. And it was a shock because the guy live right behind my house. And it was funny because. This was more impossible to us than it was to the rest of the world because we were day to day trying to figure out how to do it and we knew. So many things go wrong so many things had to go right we wondered if humans could do. This many things in a row right -- up with the idea. What he's up there with east. Yeah swimming pool so my kids and -- my wife -- in over his house. So one day I turn night I turn on the TV like you get there is running around on them. It was amazing Neal was up there too he was up there it is."

" Here's a pain I did for Al Newhart and you -- newspapers. And there's -- involves putting the flag but it was my office mate we had this thing secretary. And he was in this office and and I was next to him in and we both came out there. And it was pretty much the same guy that used by the way change going to the -- didn't change anybody. Going to them and made everybody more reveal more like they were. In my take anyway anything I say not just my opinion the way it's like. I know this it's more like this is -- seems to me so. Dealers who was acquired it's very friendly but never came in to just chat was all business. Would come go to meetings and leave the meeting comes to his office to be reading -- textbook or something like that. We have to go somewhere else -- train you'd put it down and go do that. He didn't say not noticing that so much now. Didn't say much whenever -- anything. Of people listen up because usually was pretty well thought. Same guy there that he was in. So by the way when did this painting called him up and talk with him about it he said that was scary moment as to what was there about. Well couldn't hit that flagship in the ground like in train. What you think -- was -- different he said -- up there where there's never been wind and rain. Those particles in the dirt there all angular. -- like co borrowers operator -- they're not rounded -- rock or sand and so on earth I just didn't like that. It would go win in up there -- it like that didn't go. They want more worried about that it would like it imagined it. It when -- let go of it would fall into the dirt people all over the world which the American -- there. What did you do you said tipped it back and tell the center gravity. The Flagstaff that curtain rod that there holds out the flag and the flag work over the whole. And then put -- little dirt around nude if I ever get it balanced and get away from it. That it would without any wind or anything but stable. So we say that's what we did we got away from -- we never got close to it again. It probably -- offer one they launched it probably did but didn't make any difference but that's that's an engineer solution to a problem. This is a pain in your mind either way it's the same one that we saw a minute ago blood that's -- put it up here. I left the space program. In 81 hours trading as the shuttle commander and begin to say to myself you know. Art has -- property. In pain in his hobbies on experiences. On the move. And I said there's a lot of young men and women here that could fly the space shuttle was good -- better. But there's nobody's been to them and it has. Obvious its partner's interest in doing. It may be. If I can learn to -- well enough. Then I can leave a legacy that would exist here if I didn't do it. So I left the program I love being an astronaut. I would never -- when this came and it's -- that I had a role to fail. It was unique and I can make contribution I can do something with my dream and song that nobody else could it. So just actually I didn't think think of it. Our planet so that's why Atlanta and so I've been doing that for 27 years -- which is longer than it was Apollo astronaut. This is a pain I recently did -- the reason I did it. We've all seen -- that's the most famous. Image from Apollo. Is we don't have a good. Painting a picture of I mean -- that is up and this is a -- active deal making that very picture. And so I -- a little model astronauts like they were one that was taken. I saw the reflection in the -- there's buzz right there in heels visor. And that's how he held the camera in training so I knew we did it that way there's there's chatter -- the lunar module back there. And he's got all hopeful sign because we back up and look at buzz he's kind of in the -- look in this way that's me over there and I use it. Reflection to get. New -- picture correctly. So there is something that didn't exist and I've done a lot of that because I know lots of stories from our -- from other nations. And I said you know I can only stories I can also be lost forever if I didn't do so that's the reason I'm now on artists I like it. Every -- fun fun I like my job just as much as I like being an astronaut. Which it seems strange people -- it being an artist in an astronaut on the ousted the opposite ends of the -- ruling. Difficult professions. But they're both her report okay we'll Apollo eleven gets back to earth they come to fascinates we say we're ready to go. Well what you mean your -- you don't know you don't wish it were going to see tranquility. And trying to learn to go there for seven years that there were not ordinary anymore. You guys are going to the ocean storms. And we're gonna you're gonna go where they -- spacecraft like this and at 33 months earlier. And you're gonna cut off that TV camera there have been holding and to use your encompass group and some other stuff -- We spent seven years trying to just land somewhere on there again -- chief. And you know we know Apollo eleven landed within a couple miles were still picture where did make any difference -- tough thing to do it but they said you're gonna land -- this thing. We say well wait a minute. How we gonna do that it's what you get with mission control of Grumman and ninety. Here came up through a number of times and other people. And you are gonna figure out how to land near that. -- We -- two months and they know we're gonna give you four months since we've already made it to the so we didn't think it would work we didn't think we can do it but our leaders. Understood. That our team was better than we knew I understand that everybody in this room is better than they think they don't care how big your ego is your better. I'm telling you. It I'm certainly sick now I didn't know that one sport I know right now everyone in this room is better than anything. Every one industry and new more than make it much more. -- going to -- but anyway. So we started working and sure enough about three months we began to find a way that we thought work with -- mission control that we could make a pin point landing. Most it was mission control in the radar tracking and all that what not fly it they had to put this near there and weak Atlantic. So sure enough. We get ready to go it's November and there's our rocket standing. Seven. And a half million pounds of -- six million pounds of fuel one of the funny things was going out of the launch pad on the morning. When it was fueled up and we're ready to go before that you go out -- editors hundreds of people in every little. Access -- and nook and cranny work and work and we go out there that morning. Nobody's there some of that thing is -- six billion pound bomb sitting there. And nobody wants to just hang around if they don't have any reason. So we get out there and we know what to say and we had to give him you know take our own elevator up and everything like that we go over the top up to that."

" we'll try this -- swing arm right here remember walking across that looked down here. And this thing was full of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen certain stages. And the wind blowing by the -- it was so cold. That it froze the win the pros that would moisture out and it became sheets of ice on the side of that vehicle. It is I watched him the sheets would build up and they would get so heavy that it could stick on anymore. And they would fall and I would watch him and they go sit down the side of the vehicle. And just crash -- could hear his helmet on with my little. Air conditioning system could hear there's like a silent movie watching some of these. Icebergs that show when big pieces follow those iceberg that this was the rock and we were going to them. When -- launch an admitted you'll see you want to -- things falling away that is the ice it was -- that are on there. Parlance we crawled in there and we got ready to go. It wasn't so scary because we practice is so many times that's a good thing about practice you get. Used to this it was only about fifteen minutes before we win. -- I began to say you know were really going to them -- Our spacecraft is working right. We had rain but we didn't stick -- what bothers it all. And so the president was there so we thought they're gonna send us off to them today. And sure enough we looked at each other and and we put out our hands like that you know it looked at each and we didn't say anything. An astronaut thinks -- thing this and risky times. They don't say gee I hope I don't lose my life your party trying believe that you won't you you'll be able to. To do the right thing usually it's -- spotlight. I hope. I can remember all the things that I'm supposed to do in case something goes wrong what procedures I've learned I hope that I can do. So I feel I know that's what was going through my mind and -- today in and when I've heard from other pastor you want to do the job you business and you want to do it like you've been trying. So that things on your mind you can see that white stuff coming off there's ice right there are following all this summer games in years. Anyhow it shakes -- rattles and rolls the thought that ran through my mind about. Two seconds before lift the topic -- engines start up at seven seconds which is -- strong enough to withstand this kind of migration. I've never been in any thing evaporated like that vehicle you look at it seems faintly. But it real life issues. Shaking all over the place if you put a new car on top where the command module is. It would shake the doors it would shake the -- lose it would shake out the windows. It is really something like I ever ever. What it did to me was I'm thinking of one of the engineers knew this about the time he said. One lift off I'm supposed to be thinking about throwing the switch and I think it is is that you get ready come apart. So I've got a little behind on but any harder. It was a shock to me. Off we go here's what what the earth looks like beautiful beautiful place. I'll talk more about that later there's there's North America right there there's Baja California. Here's where I live in Houston here's the reason. Up here the Great Lakes. So maybe Boston. Me. Here's Florida they concede that port city because when you look through the atmosphere that's blue. It it looked makes the earth look blues and -- of the green things near the edge of the water you can't -- The further you get away from the -- like the -- you would never -- Florida. Because it just looks like the blues the blue and green and become more balloons so here's Boston right in here somewhere yes maybe. -- Rocky Mountains. -- Washington LA right there. It looks like that believe me what it looked like I mean -- the earth was going away from us. Did look like we were leaving and I can remember thinking. I hope we can catch it because we had to go away for eight days we were gonna be back for a couple more after that. And I thought we're gonna have to go to a different place in states. Are gonna have to catch up with this surface moving along it. 66000. Plus 2300 miles per hour. I hope to people emission control can figuring out. While. It's a funny feeling what everybody within -- you is going that way you're going this way. This is a -- undermine. That's the earth didn't look that bad I use my -- it's licensed to do that. And that's sort of what it looked like as we went down the land I can remember thinking. Boy I hope we get back from this because we knew where -- was now a long way. It's not like astronauts don't have fear I don't know how far their -- out. They do we just are willing to do it because we we think it's worth it. And so it's it's the same as other professions. Where people take big risks I found -- less difficult to take. A risk of my life and sometimes take financial risks that some people take fairly easily. So it just depends on your own personality when we were landing I was looking out that win over there. Whoops excuse me. -- went to right there. In the papers about this win. And I can remember when we pitched over and looked down there and I looked out. And all of us all all over the place. Work craters. We've got two minutes of view and I don't see -- single -- pleased the way. -- holes where it went way up. And I thought I can't perform really well if I'm scared it is. So I remember looking him in when -- look at me get my head down like that my peripheral vision wouldn't look out the window that it would just like in the simulator. So I looked AM and read the computer to -- did some other things until like kind of settled down but I didn't want missed the trip either. So I looked out and and we were lower and I began to see. Spaces between careers maybe there was a place to. I'll have to say did chuckle every time someone comes up to me and tells me. Did you guys really go I don't think you did I think you did this. Anger or resign him. Well it got passed by the idea --"

" So. I've ever argue whether it. Maybe we -- But anyway we came in Atlanta and there's a pain in your mind first. Now right here the first thing is when."

" This pocket right here first when I became a nationally become an astronaut after a year training. From being extricated they get yours ill prepared. It has a star. And then coming back from the start like three -- like shooting star and and -- or. -- an astronaut. It simple so I wore that thing on my jacket. Lot of other places during the years from 64 and 65 years and had that again. In this pocket right here. And so the first thing I did one -- on the moon is not walked over beside the lunar module. To where I could see surveyor often that -- 656. Anyway and I took my opinion he can't throw over handedness that you can't throw under. And I took my PC there's the rules are veterans. In Europe and through that as far as like good -- service. So when I look at the moon at night. I'm look at them -- I of the equator in and I look over to the laughed about thirty degrees because that's where we. Can't see this graders too small even with a telescope but I think about that little pin there. And I think you know it's up there just as shiny as the -- accurate. Because there's no atmosphere up there to make it rush is huge -- There it will be there for millions and millions of years until some tourist -- up -- someday. Could sit up and brings it back. So now. When you fly about fifteen miles you get a gold pin like that this is -- I had that. And my other pocket which is right. There so when I picked up the first one I made sure I had silverlight. I didn't throw my goal anyway so. Anyway. Here I am running along the moon. It reminded me of when when I grew up in Texas but my grandparents were from Michigan. So in the winner often for Christmas we go up there on holiday -- of snow suits on and the clothes you wear the winner here in -- And that's what it felt like to me running around in my space suit on them. Just like I was a kid when I was all bundled up and collages and gloves admittance. My face was cold man in the winner up there spaceflight so I was felt good but isolation from the moon was differ. Now this was a lot of fun. Because -- only -- one. Six of what I weighed on her way to 150 pounds in question backpack way to 15300. Or perhaps. So are really only -- fifty pounds in the curious thing about it is. That meant my arms only weighed 16 of what the only ways about it smashed everything right once fit. So what it felt like to me that's I thought about it process them on the moon -- 16. And I knew could I just work and it felt like I was his strongest I've ever been in my life. I could jump up so high that lift rocks that I couldn't possibly live on -- I was like Superman four the day. Today Israel but that's the feeling out there and I think that going to and then. As tourists is going to be one of the big things in the future. People go up their minds. Resources that go up there to explore geologist who go up there to do that. Scientists are going to do it but I think there's gonna be huge demand wonders cheaper way to go safer way to go. Just to go up there imagination says. Someday my great great great grand kids who -- see their grandfather's. Granddad why don't we go to Disney World. And he said is great but we went last year down to Florida and you know we don't mean that granddad. Joey down the street his parents went to the -- the Disney land up there in they had the best and they rocketed up there it. -- we're gonna big bubble. First one's size in this room and and finally the size of the superdome and even maybe the size of the city Sunday so that you don't have to wear this bunny suit. They have. More fun and -- was like oh okay let's go. So that's not gonna be in our lifetime or her lifetime. But it's going to be some day passes that. You know here we are 2008. Think how the world has changed in 2000 years 2000 years from now people will be living on -- than living on Mars. They'll be going out to the New Year's started try to -- intelligent life all these things. That we don't get a chance but we will have started our generation started this they'll look back. Our century. I -- sixteen and Nelson Neil Armstrong. Was the first guy ever goes to another world besides earth. Now there's millions out there he was the first one. So these are the fun things that are gonna."

" Happen now have the Olympics up there -- first the first Olympics that -- what's that's almost 3000 years ago okay. -- Before 3000 years in the future they'll have electric -- there. Arsenal have to have new records running isn't very fast because it's like yours so light. That you can get traction do you go so spreads are going to be that much fun to watch. But project. And hold off. Shot put desk there's no telling what they ordered let. All of those things are gonna be fine and they're gonna be beat these are great adventures for. For our descendants they're just different they're -- before. Here I am carrying out has some experience they would formed when your management commitment and there apparently said. Here and carry out -- finding a place for the national -- this because when I got back home. Here. Here's a picture of me. Right there can post things. They reversed it but they say dinosaur bones. Let me ask. One young kids here you think that's a dinosaur bone you think that's. What is it. But it's not done so when you think it is. And right now. You're right. So we've in the people who did this thing they don't know -- But we didn't see any of that stuff everybody want to firm signs that ancient civilizations. Pete and I talked about this we said. This is the great story let's take an arrowhead there. And and will will throw this still ahead on our feet. And it will be showing on the TV camera shot over here you know we'll look at this the mountain over here whatever was in there will do like this. And we're going tonight. Look at the mountain -- over there but we could hear the people on earth scientists don't look at your pain points and right interface. But we realize that we had done that and that there -- some side is that don't have a good sense of humor about. That's part that would have run us out of here's the not a -- if we come back. But great idea we just let -- we do it. Here we are paying where we did get over surveyor would cut off that. Cut off that -- we didn't have to cut off brought it home we come off the TV and did the other things we're supposed to do. It was gonna creditors thirteen degrees slopes when that painted those things put my little survey of modeling with thirteen degree slope and and that's what we're."

" This is what I can do -- this is opinion including that chat list when it. So I've got out my checklist what I would still have and opened it to that page. And went outside. They look about the -- the -- and is. Six 6000 miles in diameter 8000 miles in diameter. Earth is 8000 miles and noon eastern -- Four times bigger and so I went out and personal I feel I can do I remember doing that holding my hand up and there's a year. And then I I pointed right at it so -- appreciated the way first and then I thought I better go out justice so when outside at night. Did the same thing with the -- but the move is in here on earth wasn't there either it was 240000. Miles there so when you look at this you. I'm not pointing at this. Hurt but I if we follow this. And went back like that point right. So if they paralyzed from that viewpoint makes -- look different so these -- the kind of things that come up when you're paying something other people don't -- And first thing I've painted this checklist page so it looked just like the checklist. And that's not very hard. So then I went in and kind of made it a little hazy we've over the little bit this is where you do everything as an artist and what you do is wait a bit too much. And and you gotta go back to straighten it out. And after about three of these generations it looked pretty good. So right now looks pretty good so you can see what it is but quite low hours there Welker will -- I was deployed house. So anyway that's that's where -- pain. Here we are working together had -- to work individually. To learn to work with a team the world wonder what routine mission control. Mission -- to work with the people all around the US today. Is different parts -- helping hands. Put this up here is this. News story. Number one thing I learned in this we're in the seemingly just like this one day. We're practicing landing on the -- And you practice landing -- after you -- board later landed or whatever mission control gave you that you were. There have to reset human lunar orbit that took about fifteen minutes and days and so we've talked and so here we are in our suits practicing landings were talking. And I take a -- And standing like this -- there are pretty well you know that briefing this morning from that flight engineer. I don't know we seem to know. You know -- doesn't always -- What was talking about. But his way he thought it was just so different from months it finally got to the point. It took forever said. Maybe he isn't good team or maybe we ought to think about. Letting him go. Replacing. I looked over PP. Look at -- one guy but he didn't do it looked over -- initiative. Big issues. Do you feel if your boss giving you one day or your wife or your husband that you know. You're not a good team. Well -- just like that was so and so. That I remember back in just like this could go any further that's what I said I am to news. I'm good gamers -- going you know the first rule being it. For you do what is it. Well you you've got to be loyal to -- leader you've got to stay focused on the goal. -- are you remember what -- So bears did. Just. You can imagine how -- when he told me that because he was the most important person. -- my wife on earth to me really you know we're going to the -- he -- me to go -- you know here he tells -- I'm not exactly gamer. So I said. Told a bunch of stuff and he said that India. Should okay what is it he said. Well 400000 people that's what's gonna pay for us to get to them. 400000 Albanians could get us there and 400000. Pete Conrad and necessary. Action well maybe it came. -- it so what. He should we need 400000. People that. Our dedicated like we are but they think differently than we do they have a different point of view and we can work together and maybe we will find a way. Should go to a simple what's the first rule of being good good team ever he said. You've got to find -- way to admire and care about all the other team members. Opposite you're crazy. You see what you mean he's actually what we're in this meeting this morning about thirty people in there. I knew about seven radio. And I did -- had good ideas that work wear them and then there was maybe. Fifteen have Merv thirteen of or something like that. There have been other meetings they don't say much. I know who they are. And I said and there's always in every meeting there's always drew three. I don't like they bring up subjects right at the end of the meeting over get ratings go home -- ideas are completely weird. They don't agree with me probably. But anyway. If he's -- that's the problem right there. He said if you ever wanna be a leader. You have got to find a way that you admire and care about. All these people on your team wants you in Iraq. 4000 but the ones we interactive -- Well I didn't like only -- been another space program I'm not equipped to go somewhere where they appreciated. -- to -- What another space program had -- day. So I did and it was tough couple weeks but it during a couple weeks I've watched. And thought about some of the other astronauts and an office that were more effective and I don't consider myself a particularly effective astronaut that tan. In getting the ideas -- But there were some that did Jim active it's -- began to think about him and he knew everybody knows meetings. He treated the people that had the good ideas with the same respect and know little or more than the ones that had a bad idea. So he had not he had found a way naturally. To admire. All the people on the team. They were maybe PH right as -- was a lot more effective yours so I began to start trying to do that. What I found out is one. Would try to do that I found out that for me. If I wanted to think negative things about a person I could think of several things but I began to say. You know I'm gonna try to find three positive things about everybody on my team. I'm not gonna think the negative ones because all of us have pluses and minuses. Depends on me which ones I decided to pay attention to. So I began to do that I found out there were still several people I just. Couldn't find anything I've heard about. And I took on the lunch. And when I would take the lunch and get to know them a little better. Then acted fine three things are more than about -- it was always fall was always me. Wasn't there. Okay. That is what I think and a -- to hear it changed my life. Started being a lot more effective astronaut and I began to realize that this needed to be. Put in other areas of my life particularly my wife and children. The minute I'm at home now if I'm brushing -- can say. Leslie -- didn't take that package to the to the post office yesterday that I -- here. I'm short of time she got -- the minute that goes through my mind I say. I'm thinking in having negative thought about -- not an admiring thought about her I'm not gonna do that because she's my number one Keenan Burton now. So the reason I'm telling that the view those of you on teams think about those of you that are not classmates these young girls need to get out there. Class picture. And come up with three reasons they admire each one of their classmates. I don't carefully dislike him or not don't forget all. Saying -- with -- all of life. Changed my life."

" He's my life lesson number one thing I'm and I'm gonna move off and on that we see Al Shepard on Apollo fourteen that this golf ball. And it's great you know I think wow. Why did we think of that and I go to. I go to opinion as to what we think it's not like this he said well we don't play golf I think we're."

" So. I thought what could we have done -- saying well we like football we could have taken a football. And we could have put the TV on us and we can have thrown a pass and then you could kick it back if we'd done this. They would show that after -- global effort on November. But we never did but as an artist. There's a pain. It's me. Being an artist is the completely."

" Anyway. Airspace museum you know we won -- raced to the moon we were working hard glad. Remember we were real happy about that here's a -- did. Dick Gordon was going to be the commander OKK. Twenty. We thought it twelfth he would be walking. But he didn't and one. That paint this picture today we're looking at the camera. People in mission controllers saying in this thing on fantasy. That he get down there. Is that under the command module is so I've got these little things up -- it is yours Pepsi. Center. And I thank. -- not mission control this is just offense not really -- room. Talk a little bit for Oregon art -- my heart to be different. It was the first art ever done and all these centuries. Of a place other than a year if someone that shall. It needs to be different. So I started off -- just like that subject but like other artists in -- hybrid -- like pictures are put in texture like other artists. And in one said to myself you know I've gotten. I've got to hammer that I took the moment I've got some other things. I certainly the texture with the tools I had. On them. So ideas. Normally I do that before the page -- industry. So you'll see -- few minute. There's a camera and then we spoke to leave it there and brought it back. And I -- into the air and space museum in Washington and they -- a lot of years doing the tipster with -- jewels. I wrote -- instance and and that really goes back to the right now I use it to put capturing these different meanings. Okay after I did that -- like those moon perhaps walking across the pain and things like that. I've fit we -- and -- They didn't give -- a Little Rock Wii owners thought they give us some rock. Something. But that didn't and just what enough rock to go around on the people really deserve it. As we got to go but we want the most deserving people than managers. Other people that dream this up and made it happen really deserve rock on more than we did. We got at the visible part but we knew we were the biggest contributors. So I'm shaking my Studio One day. And looking up at the wall at that. Things that. Which for months and then there's. Children in the Politburo. -- Which they were cleaner it was on them so I said wait a minute they're dirty with America. I'd do. If I were to. Cut these up like that ugly out there there's. How could put those in paintings and I really it would moon dust storms there so that's what I do. -- put that in. So here's a -- And that's what it looks like underneath the partners to hear from Roman rulers like pre nup. Oil from the command module that was sent me from the museum this -- charred bits from our heat shield. That was -- off when we change the pride and agree. So they -- But the reason -- one thing I love about being an artist. If you don't have to have a reason to do. You just do what life. And so I thought a lot of these in there and put him in -- if you want to do that he would have to have a meeting that. You would put it there you could prove that the thing you know but as an artist you're you don't like it -- You because yours without optima -- the that's a book about it. This is one of my favorite kinds -- is G concern and yet. There's June from Apollo seventeen. In gene that in Houston he's been. He comes over one -- say it again look at that's the place where you scoops of dust off that boulder. And brought back to her. He says you know I wish -- written dollars and I didn't -- progressive writer name on this piece of paper just like you were. Hurting restrictions. So when he left. -- in recent years traces boulder. Like that a lot because of that story genes are like yeah. And we as taxpayers. To spend millions of dollars. Going back up there."

" That's a -- a vehicle that's not fail to walk."

" And the I did it all go to begin with it didn't feel right. And when I did even more rainbow colors I thought maybe that is -- I don't know for sure but that's pure."

" I'm asked a lot of time about religion but people. Thought when they went -- the -- there's always been thought. That inflation -- you couldn't go there were superior beings like used to be on top of Mount Olympus. And when people went on top of Mount Olympus are warning guides out there. So then they moved from somewhere else and finally moved I don't know where there is written so I'm not making pottery. But maybe -- up in heaven or maybe about the clouds with a huge thing for airplanes in airplanes came along. Well heaven wasn't. Maybe it's further out so people are always asking me I've been curious about it they don't know the answer. And so when I was on the moon I did this. I've set time aside to see if any kind of information. Additional information that I didn't get on earth came to me. And show the title of this page is anybody out there. And that's -- and then we're doing and I can remember several times in flight data had written in my flight plan. That to be quiet and think about it. And for me. I didn't. Had anything more than I do right now. Other astronauts. Did. Several felt the presence of god on the -- What it seems to me as a result of that. Is the ones that were religious. Went to the moon and had such a -- had these feelings noted but they came back from the -- a little more religious. And those that were religious came back a little more not religious so it didn't really change anybody nobody changed going to the moon. And I don't think maybe that the answer for religion is out there anywhere else is here. So if you have these feelings in your heart one way and that's -- for years. And the person next to you that you can be married to your brother sister. Mother father they have different feelings in here it's different. One of my good friends. Was. -- where he was one that felt the presence of god and god help him on the and several other things and so I did this painting of him. And its call we can't compete for all and -- And we really did one of the things that's wonderful about Apollo. If -- it was a great challenge. And their candidate for all the right reasons we did a good thing for humankind for civilization. Things like that. So I did this for Jim -- I think about it often he's dead now right out of that that he was one on Apollo fifteen which was the first mission to go for three days. And we didn't know what there potassium. Would. Leach out of their body in Europe and other way."

" And it caused heart arrhythmia. And I think that. His heart was damaged there and then later on he had -- over detection. -- Colorado Springs. So we don't know. But that's the risk you take you agree astronaut. And I like this painting I think about it a lot wonder how he's doing. Anyway. Off we go just like earth except it was a quiet because without in fact you went nowhere you don't hear anything. So -- like writing very fast outside elevators if you've ever done and or to our office building. There's an earth from the I look back at the year and I thought well that is beautiful. And looked all around the moon it was great rock. Grade -- blacks down. I knew what Mars looked like it was Redgrave dirt Redgrave -- grace. -- news that. Mercury would just like the moon nothing ever happened there was 400 degrees or something like that. Venus the next one out towards the earth is cloud covered -- radar notion look just like in the nothing's ever been there probably. Nothing's ever been in our solar system appears at the moment. That is anything like that I've come to the conclusion made me just an opinion. That when the Bible was written years and years ago they only knew the area the people that read read it and repeating the stories and then. Written down. Only news. The area around the tigris Euphrates River -- that golden crescent is it called it. And so I think this story at the garden of Eden evolved. That way -- some spot over there in Iraq modern day Iraq Iraq. I don't think. I think the garden if there is such a thing as a whole -- that place that we get to live our whole life. Is the most beautiful place in the universe. -- any of us have ever seen with telescopes. With probes that go out. -- There's nothing new -- there's nothing within. 45 light years this more beautiful than what we see when we walk out one of the borrowers this auditorium tonight think about that. People are complaining about. Yours sometimes. I'm never complain about -- I'm so glad we get to live there we've got. Bushes trees. We've got a little animals got people. We got a lot of things that no one else maybe there's somebody who's -- not around other stars I don't know. I'm not sure we'll ever know. There's huge distances in this universe someone told me once that. -- density of stars in the universe -- got some astronomers here are like two chip monks in all of North America. Just think if you're chipmunk in Florida and you wanna meet someone to fall in love with and they happen to be -- Alaska. -- other statistics okay we'd we'd like to meet some some aliens from somewhere. I don't think -- I wish we would wish they'd come tomorrow because they came here they'd be a lot smarter than we are as we can't go there yet. By the time we go there we don't know so much more than now they could come by here and make -- teachers how to cure cancer. They can give us a little box to put on a woman's chest and say -- a check for birth defects in babies. If you get one it's either cleft -- turn the knob here prospect but. It teaches how to do all those things and done. I don't believe anyone show up. But someday when we show up. Which we will from day out of troops or else. We know things I think we're trying to help these people. So anyway that's only Montel I don't know I don't know. I left this one in this is an eclipse that we saw. Of the sun. The earth where the only three people which saw ever and is we went man. That's who you are fair that little bit of things -- atmosphere. And as we put this on this was about two hours before landing in the Pacific Ocean. Then all over when it completely. It flips this on. Then there was just this little ring all the way around it you can sort of see down here there's a spectrum. Well in real life they're you can see it you know rewards you do all the way around I don't know why broke up that way. But that's where it was a little bands and little -- Order and then when did I looked and here. And here was just like -- at this school. Right over here which all of Africa. There was in you right there Saudi Arabia. And I was looking down there think well half life there were some bright light right here which was -- this well. This. And all through here there was like flash. I thought what is that an accident he did what is that. And pictures you know that looks like thunderstorms when we -- over anarchy thirty days maybe 50000 meters 40000 feet. And we look real closely. And those were thunderstorms. In the right along the equator. It was the quarter and what was happening is that thunderstorms that built up during the day. Were were dissipating. And flashing in and -- who knows what there. All along that that -- court about that time -- the sun came -- the other side. And we've got -- made -- it was incredible site. There was just one incredible -- that this lunar mission. And the most amazing part was the sites as opposed to the field running around. Just what you saw it being so amazing. Nice to see those come out. I can remember looking out the window this is -- story. This includes Wendell minds over there this was -- I remember looking out the window and seeing this water and saying. It's so beautiful waters -- she is gorgeous and I looked up and I can see some white fluffy clouds going across. And here was aircraft carrier quality coming this way. Obviously this is so beautiful and -- thought. What's the big deal were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and I'm thinking this is really beautiful. And I got to think -- you know we've only been gone in days but in those ten days we've never seen anything move. With three of us there Tuesday issue. That's the way it is no one's ever seen anything change them every since Galileo stores stadiums sixteen owner. No craters are children nothing's overture saying with Mars like -- all these places that ship here. That this place. I've never complained about the weather -- obviously. I'm glad we've got -- Not complained about the crowds. I remember when I came back from silence -- winter's shopping center several days and -- guy -- don't just looked at the people. I'm glad I'm here. On some little place we just report people like that threw for people. It's not like being in this room. We -- we're we're living in. Related in the garden beaten and generally live and or did you just might be a good time to. Answer a few questions. What thing."

" So. -- cancer few questions. And and let's see we'll take as many as we can't we're not gonna take questions too long because he needs it take off so. Right over here. Yes. It's. What was your favorite part of going on the spaceship."

" What was my favorite part going on spaceship. Is that question. Okay. I don't know I just think. It was where we went we went through. In -- an incredible place. That you can go -- industry issues. If you look at the spaceship down here in. The lower level. It seems small it didn't -- small there's nothing -- that if we got in there and spent ten days he would seem real small. Because with one gravity. You know you'd -- on this side prediction made it hard and you turn over and if hip personal like that when your zero gravity you're floating -- around -- closure don't even touch it. And so -- just real relaxed and sold -- well I never heard and astronauts say boy this is a little spaceship. 'cause it seemed okay her a lot of himself or wish fruit are better off. Our I wish I wish we had some -- TV you're so so video or something to look at. While we're waiting. To get to the moon or something but. Is the inflation as you go issues much like your car. --"

" It's."

" But here yet stop -- little bit."

" Thank."

" When you're out at -- everything's got. It's like you're gonna go on as always thank you I'm going next heat in the game."

" When I -- you alone did I ever think we're -- matters right. No that's a good question. When I was your age are up in junior high school I just wanted to be upon. And I wasn't the best student in the class I've never been the best student in the class. Always worked hard. But never made you maybe in my high school I wasn't even the best of twenty you know I don't remember but I never was the best but I was always some line. That do what you want -- he wanted to be -- And so then I was willing one -- to take courses you know chemistry I didn't care about -- mr. but I thought it may be better. When I went off to the university pictures -- aeronautical engineering. Because I thought it make you better pilots among my friend said well engineers too hard I think I'll take some males and they did that. But. I think you could see. No war to give you when I was selected as an astronaut got a letter from one of my teachers. And you think she would say something wonderful but she wanted to be honest. And the best."

" The best she could come up where although I admired was. Her remember you favorably. That's hard to it yet. It's hard to do a good job on all the vendors remember you favorably. But she didn't know me. At the age I was. When they started selecting astronauts what's the same person like I said earlier. I wasn't the same person and I was -- receiver lives. Changed I've learned a lot done. You can do that one of them one of the best reasons that I'm always trying to be the best I can be well I'm not. -- and the reason is because people that try the best they can be recommended. Then after about two years your different person that you would be if you didn't try to be the best you can be. Many people think they're gonna be saying is that you know that's not true. If you try to be the best you can be every day. Two or three years from now. Let's -- sister who doesn't. We don't know a lot or machines you're going to be more capable person person she -- that you altered so I'm always recommended and your kids. Do their very best you can do every single day everything you do particularly. The things you don't like if you don't like to mow the lawn -- didn't. My mother and I -- store I didn't like work in there and I didn't have decided -- provided the minimum slip by. Always regretted that now. I'd love to be at my attitude now. Go back and help her have a great -- cream store she and I would make the greatest ice cream -- Fort Worth I didn't think that way. It's too bad she didn't know. So we. I -- that it."

" Every one try to do is hard to do. -- short every single day but I'm always struggling to do it. Yes excuse me Robert."

" I think I have my."

" Is -- speech -- yet. You. If realistic to meeting his equipment in north goodies -- him I'm -- Form and but this means you. You support to quote him. Teamwork. And it is very important mission because -- Russians. You know all of his people. So long to -- secret have you on now because they never that I should never wanted them to zoom. One this. This team. And 6264. I participated. In obtaining these few postal station in to. But it never happened quote -- we will update -- some papers value. But. To read but what they want it to -- into -- but the question use that time. You wouldn't -- been younger than myself. -- what did you think it vote so if you look in the world. That. For a meat is an important."

" Well that's a good question. We knew we were in competition with the Russians we wish them the best we -- ourselves that we were in a competition. We would -- we didn't know much about. Much about you what you were doing. But we would see cosmonauts it appears leadership elections ago there. -- some of these other guys. We admired and we've talked with. And when we could talk with them which was always because it was a lot more control and it is now. And what we did it would tell -- as much -- they could without betraying the nation. And we were. Converse with them we always thought of them as Brothers and is a professional Brothers nobody in different countries we like to football players from different from the giants and patriots. Yeah. Good example. I think it's a perfect example. They didn't wanna -- wanna play and play hard they wanted to win I'm sure when the gamers or they were hurt I was I was a patriot. But at the same time that's the way we thought. Now and under torture and today we just didn't know we do not poaching war. There after I finished I was about -- commander for the joint Russian American. I learned to speak Russian -- one order Russia worked with a cosmonauts. Spent a lot of stars I don't know if we better not. But. A lot to those guys and so did everybody else we'd like to -- highlight the Russians I'm so glad that we're kind of friendly we have a lot more in common and Russians and we do with some other cultures Russians are good neighbors. Russians if you can work wear them. And be on the same side there the best team players. They are big Russian. Don't read the way. Okay take this."

" It won't yet know something you. But. Yet. But we'll keep -- But -- person. But."

" That's hard courts the all public stuff other KGB control I know where law and it is that very bits that it is and here I am striving. To overcome this that is not a --"

" No it isn't it's not. Easy later."

" Somehow couldn't agree with -- generally nor could. I've enjoyed it cosmonaut election and all -- great artist I've been to a studio in Moscow I got a nifty rush from the guy I don't know the right. Yeah election in particular is one. Now I wanna save it. When they would visit us and say one other thing about this even at that. When that would visit us. We would go to tune to people around used and it did it. You know more assets -- we did and we say can we put on a party for the Russians can we do this can -- Take up to the ball game can week. Well. And so we had to say I mean people just jumped up and down. No expense spared to try to improve friendly relations with the Russians and when we went over there. They did the same thing does. Sort of human level. Russians and Americans want to be friends that want their natural friends. They're really do I hope I'm hoping for the future."

" That's -- well. Maybe maybe one more house that --"

" Well let's hear what your favorite moments on the moon actually walking on them."

" Well that's good question favorite moments now. The way I tended to think about it. Why is. We've got more jobs has signed on our cuff checklist I showed it to one's slide picture then we've got time. So what I better do is do what that is there is much is like and in the two times -- out and get that done and that I can think about the fun stuff when I get back home. That was my general basic. Idea. I felt like for a metaphor football metaphor some guy waits his whole life to get in the Super Bowl. And he's a defensive back in gets in the Super Bowl and he's standing there saying. Wow I've made it look at the sciences is while he's doing that some wide receiver runs buying and catches a touchdown. Okay I didn't want that to happen to me. But at this and several times up there when I was running along. Not between stations were we had to do work running the next station I would say well the system. Up there there's fear. We finally got here you know it's hard to believe we were up there and -- is hard to believe we were doing this but we were there doing it a couple of times I threw things I did I haven't got here. That one day what did last second and went out to. To pick up an experiment bring it back in aggregate radiate back and I came across this big sheet of foil that'd been surrounding area and deplored. Saud nice -- I'm gonna throw this fourth. And it's fun to throw things like up here because if we tried to throw oil on earth with its atmosphere if I went like this they would. He would wiggle wiggle wiggle and I don't like the person it would go anywhere at fault right there. Because it's got not much math and lot of dry. But up there it throws as good as the rock so I. I took that peace upon Pete -- was -- we should wait a minute now wanna watch so we turned around I did this. In an apparent fund is where you find it and so I took this thing and I went back through it. And I watched him go up and it just was turning like this slowly. And it just went it's. It was higher than any partner can kick no doubt about it. Because of the 16. That and I watched it is that turned over and listened and I thought this isn't funded news. I threw a couple rocks out there when I had a moment. And through -- and I -- Just they just were small and you know I just -- far enough for the ago -- watched that people are gonna wanna do this is is on there. Some day when the NFL players on the -- To change change the rules. Because they're not going to be able to run as fast as going to be slower than the slow motion that you. Show now you know the replay is slow it's going to be slower than that but the parts in that. Passes. No telling what they considered. So I these are just fun things but that's enough questions let me got to -- slide -- tried it."

" All right here we are we're on the way home."

" Pete and Dick and I are looking out the -- we're about halfway home 125000. Miles now he's saying you know. We're invisible to the universe from here even the best telescopes owners can -- and and there were telescopes on Mars or somewhere else which we don't think there is. They could seriously. So we eat are so small humans are so small. We're smaller relative to the Internet ever universe in grains of sand are relative to earth. We're just. Inconsequential. So I went to bed that I thought that's -- that's right. You know floating under the couch and in my little bags sleeping -- forward to that I thought you know there's something wrong with thinking that way. So I got up the next morning -- said let's look out the window again. Then -- that you know. We just let them let's run over there. If we had the right computer program in our computer we know what that means going to be hundred years exactly. Gravity and velocity -- know exactly words but it's limited to be right over there. In the -- we're headed that way we'll be there tomorrow. We know where it's gonna be a thousand years from the fun we know where it's gonna be playing out in fact if we had the right computer program. And stronger here do know we're gonna an hour that's stars going to be 100000 years. And that one and when and we may be small. As far as we know we little humans. Aren't the only things in the universe where we don't know where we're going to be in years -- We may be small but we've been given this great idea all these other things in the universe that we know off. Are limited -- gravity velocity. The only limits that any of us. Are the ones that we place on ourselves. We've been given great gift in the users. Were small. -- We need to work together to accomplish big things we can do. Nothing we've ever seen and -- sugar which. Can do we can be little little. -- like to think about Apollo participating target for the astronaut all the finger on cape. To talk and in -- you know what we're doing and this was not just for astronauts. But for every one that came to the museum and everybody here. We can all reach for stars were not miss -- I don't know -- night our hands a little bit I don't know. All these things we can do we've been given this gift. One of the reasons I like to think about Apollo is because we did something wonderful ordinary people. Believe that we can do these things that are possible and went out and tried and failed and tried and failed and tried and failed. Animated. It reminds me of what is good and all of us as humans. Apollo it was a wonderful program it was we did America did this for the right things. We came in peace for all and we try to advance civilization. We didn't to grab anybody's. Moon or anything like that. We try to do the best job we -- I think that's something that we can think about it we need justice try to do it every day. Sometimes I don't do do it sometimes. It. I like to leave -- then with three thoughts are glad to be here. Glad to be with you nice audience like Boston anyway. I was there patriots fan I was hurt when they lost. Had a tough time getting over for about a week and sure it was a month review. I wanted him to have that perfect season but it wasn't to be. The giants -- them and to win you know they went and took it was like -- Bill. Glad to be happier. I'd like to leave -- with three thoughts. When -- sales. Like that. And dreams to your heart thank you very much for night."

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Audio|Wed, 18 Nov 2009
|oil pricesfound at21:06, 0:56

“…connected. To. The security crisis. We have had -- wars in the Middle East. . All of them with complicated it causes. What won in -- cause for our involvement in that region is the very real fact that America's national security. Is at risk. Win global oil markets are so vulnerable. To sudden and drastic. Disruption. Elsewhere in the book side. Have a a graphic now what's happened to oil prices and the last 39 years. During which we've had OPEC embargoes. -- hostage crises than. All the rest. Hand the impact on the US economy. When oil prices shoot way up is very -- and he. But. The energy security crisis. Has to be addressed not just in the moment. Of high oil prices. . But during the times when prices come back now. And we've followed a pattern that president Barack Obama. Describe it I think …”

“…and urgent vehicle information the demands decisions and actions. For thirty years Al Gore has been leading advocate for confronting the threat of global warning. His efforts were outlined in the best selling book. Mr. author. …”

Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Undermines America

Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Undermines America

Journalist and activist Barbara Ehrenreich explains the perils of the Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America . Americans have a singular capacity for glossing over hardships with exhortations to "look on the bright side." The oft-prescribed power of positive thinking is certainly capable of altering our outlooks, but as Ehrenreich argues in her new book, this is not entirely for the better. In fact, it can lead to individual self-blame and institutional disregard for possible negative outcomes (like a national housing crisis). This is Ehrenreich at her provocative best—poking holes in conventional wisdom and faux science, and ending with a call for existential clarity and courage.

Audio|Wed, 11 Nov 2009
|breast cancerfound at4:22, 1:35

“…this ideology. It was eight years ago I was being treated for breast cancer. . On -- you know I felt scared I felt very angry. Angry bird and as reasons on one with this breast cancer epidemic -- knows replied is it. And also lie -- the treatments so barbaric. It's treatments he really shopper forum. As -- …”

“…biology. She's the author of sixty bucks including the New York Times best sellers nickel and dimes and bait and switch. She's also the author of dancing in the streets a history of collective joy lets …”

Inside Afghanistan: President Karzai Post Taliban

Inside Afghanistan: President Karzai Post Taliban

Sarah Chayes discusses the future of Afghanistan. The Taliban regime was driven from power in Afghanistan in 2001, but the nation and the international community now face new problems: a devastated economy, the return of millions of refugees, drug trafficking, and a plague of corruption and violence. In addition, the fledgling government is struggling to unify and rebuild their nation and to define its future. Drawing upon her experiences living and working in the war-torn country as well as her unparalleled access to President Karzai's family, tribal leaders, and US military officials, Sarah Chayes offers a unique view of Afghanistan's modern history and the challenges ahead. Robin Young, host of WBUR's Here and Now, moderates this event.

Audio|Wed, 30 Sep 2009
|iraq warfound at1:13:49, 1:20

“…in the Stanley Cup and 30%. Congress as imagines the last lasting lucky questionnaires and it every resident chances in years at the last instance here I'm and I just like to add a coda to the use of -- previous one day. A lot of people also ask me about. You know did you feel a devastating difference when the Iraq War started. And what you'll also find -- fiasco which is what we experienced and it was totally inexplicable to us is there …”

“…how really interesting it is to me to read in her incredible new book the punishment of virtue. That one of the reasons. That we didn't hear more about that story after Sarah realized that the …”