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John McConnell, original initiator of the Earth Day idea, and The Earth Charter, through the United Nations http://www.earthsite.org before others redirected the original spiritual focus and annual date from the Spring Equinox to April 22nd, below offers an inspirational idea from his voluminous archives which is perhaps expandable and implementable now as part of what could be done with a global humanity vision "Whole Earth, we're all in the same boat" kind of mind-expanding image via a peace-oriented Space Industry by redirecting allocated funding from the weaponization of space as per Space Preservation Treaty http://www.peaceinspace.com to something like an orbiting TV studio for production of broadcasts to Earth of uplifting messages, news, specials, "call-in shows", and other programs with Earth in background, in addition to such ideas as Carol Rosin talks about like satellites monitoring problems on Earth and progress of solutions -- (like monitoring treaty enforcements, reforestation, new crops expanding to heal the atmosphere) -- schools, research labs, hospitals, "space tourism", etc., in orbiting habitats, etc., all as better alternatives to what the military-industrial-intelligence industry currently plans and is in any case determined to spend allocated many billions of dollars on to put nuclear weapons and worse into Earth orbit. Since the bulk of the folks in this "industry" would just as soon make their profits from space technologies applied for peaceful purposes, why not consider the below inspiration for ideas and feedback that it might stimulate by your reading and share your additional alternatives to spending our money on space based weapons by posting your ideas at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/space-preservation-treaty after subscribing there?
STOWAWAY ON A SATELLITE
By John McConnell
March 10, 2002
Introduction:
The following article, written back in 1957, almost became the basis for a major motion picture when I presented it to leaders in Hollywood. My wife just found a copy of it and I thought it was relevant to what is happening in the world today. This was at the time I had obtained global attention for my proposal that we launch a visible Star of Hope Satellite.
**************************************
The central idea in Stowaway on a Satellite is that a U. S. scientist working on a manned space flight project, in a time of desperate international tension and imminent war between U. S. and Russia, conceives and carries out a daring plan to substitute himself for the dummy intended to occupy the capsule in the satellite.
His motive: to be in a position to speak to the whole world from a vantage point which no man on Earth has ever before occupied, on the necessity of marshaling all of mankind's reason and goodwill to stop the plunge toward war and world suicide.
Development: First phase of plan works out o.k. He carries out the substitutions, and the satellite goes into orbit. He starts broadcasting the speech he had very carefully prepared and memorized -- mainly an exhortation to think, to use reason, to face all the facts about where the present course of action is leading. Speech is beamed primarily to other scientists and intellectuals. He also stresses need to summon moral energy to match the physical energy recently released by science.
Then he discovers that the receiving part of his radio apparatus is not working. He gets nothing from Earth, and has no way of knowing whether he is being heard.
He is being heard, however.
First reaction is one of astonishment -- and in the U. S. at least -- great elation over the fact of having launched a live man into space even earlier than was planned. It is hailed as a great step in the race for "control" of outer space.
People all over the world hear of the man speaking from outer space. Some governments at first try to prevent reception or translation of his broadcasts, but this becomes impossible because the fact is so widely known. All they can do is try to answer his arguments with counter-propaganda -- a rather futile attempt.
For nothing else in the airways can compete with the "earth man in outer space." Not only does he swamp all other programs but he makes "business as usual" impossible. More and more people stop to listen when his broadcasts come on (probably at regular times each day).
In the early stages, the effect of this novel event is to increase tension all over the world. Many of the comfortable, complacent ones -- and those who were ignorant and unaware of what was happening in the world -- are now set "on edge." The whole world gets a terrible case of nerves. For the time being this makes it even more difficult to solve problems and conflicts.
As people listen to what he is saying, the "universal' tenor of his speech causes some on both sides of the Iron curtain to accuse him of trying to undermine their morale and weaken their fighting spirit. Russia demands that the U. S. stop him. And U. S. while refusing to bow to Russia's demand, wants to stop him for reasons of its own.
But since his receiving system is not working, nothing can be done, and since he is becoming the idol of the whole world, no government would dare to shoot him down to silence him.
At times his voice literally fills the world, coming from millions of radios at once. (Effect of his broadcasts in different parts of the world and among different people might be shown by repeated sequence of representative scenes around the world, with at least some of the same characters appearing each time in a given scene, so that the audience comes to recognize these figures.)
The hero, not knowing whether he is getting through to Earth's people, keeps trying ever more desperately and earnestly to communicate with them, hoping that perhaps some may pick up his thought, if not his voice. He goes from his carefully prepare speech into ever deeper levels of analyzing man's plight. As a man alone in the universe with his own soul, he senses and expresses the terrible loneliness and alienation which men on Earth have brought upon themselves by not recognizing the fundamental fact of kinship, brotherhood, oneness of humanity.
Earlier in story, before hero stows away on satellite, he is shown to be acquainted with certain effort on the part of scientists and laymen to reverse the trend toward war by substituting for the policies then in force a more creative course of action , such as:
1) movement on the part of some scientists to bring all space exploration under the control of a cooperative agency representing every country on earth and eliminate completely the rivalry and the weapons aspect of the program.
2) a laymen's movement to mobilize goodwill on a world-wide scale to find "moral equivalents to war."
It has been urged by both these groups that when their efforts shall have borne enough fruit so that all governments agree to use peaceful means to work out difficulties and are really laying down their arms, a symbolic "flashing star" satellite be launched to represent the hope and promise of a dynamic peace.
At beginning of story he was not sold on either of these efforts, being somewhat skeptical of "movements" and "crusades". But the same soul-searching which led him to make his daring move have also made him sympathetic with these efforts.
Yet in the early stages of his space flight and broadcasts he actually slows down the work for peace, along with other work on Earth, by being such a distraction. He pleads for intensified work for peace, but as is shown by various scenes of people reacting to his broadcasts, the actual effect of this world-shaking event, with its tremendous emotional impact, is at first to make people more jittery and confused.
Thus even though he is being listened to avidly, he seems not to be accomplishing his purpose. Conflicts, arguments and threats continue in the various governing bodies and in the Unite Nations.
Suddenly the hero tells that his return mechanism has failed and that he cannot get back to Earth. People all over the world are stunned. They have all come to identify themselves with him.
There is a world-wide surge of sympathy and distress for this helpless traveler out in space. Governments are besieged with pleas to help him. But as before, nothing can be done to reach him.
Great sorrow sets in all over the world as people realize they are powerless to help him. Now they hang on his every word and few or none try to argue with his message. Many ministers turn over their regular services and many teachers their classroom to his broadcasts.
His voice is becoming weaker and requires more and more amplification to be heard. But his message becomes more penetrating than ever.
The more he realizes he will not be seeing Earth again, the more tenderly he reminisces on its beauty and his love for the old home planet. (Here could be flashbacks to his life on earth). He even addresses himself to whatever advanced beings may inhabit other planets, invoking their tolerance and mercy for Earth's blundering but upward striving people -- apologizing to the advanced beings for being so provincial as to have patriotic sentiments for his own planet:
Many persons who have organized efforts to save life of hero now turn their energies to actions for peace, petitioning their governments and volunteering possessions and services to help those in need. This happens in communities all over the world, but effect on official governing bodies is still not apparent-- and outcome of peace-or-war issues still not clear. Some scenes are shown, however, which indicate a great effort to break through political boundaries and communicate freely about the problems and issues that are causing trouble.
Hero, without knowing it, has by his unique vantage point and the way he made use of it in communicating with Earth's people, succeeded in implanting a world-wide sense of unity that has never before been realized. He has jolted people out of their narrow individual ruts and made them think and feel as they have never thought or felt before. He is becoming very tired and realizes that his strength is just about spent. He has done his best but does not know whether anything will come of his sacrifice.
Suddenly he sees a flash of light. First thought is, 'Have they blown up the World with atomic warfare?" But then he realizes it is not that kind of flash. It appears to be a flashing star. Can this actually be the Star of Hope - symbol of a world that has turned the corner toward peace? He fears it may be a hallucination coming to him in his weakened state. He shuts his eyes for a few seconds and looks again. It is still there, and he realizes it is no hallucination but indeed the Star of Hope.
**************************************************
NOTES
1. Plot should be developed so that final issue -- Armageddon or unequivocal turning toward peace -- is kept in doubt up to the very end. Yet the developments shown in the course of the story, especially the various reactions to the hero's broadcasts, increasing in intensity so the story progresses, should make the final outcome credible.
2. Since story cannot be based on assumption that hero will be the first man in space, uniqueness will lie in his use of this extra-mundane position to plead for an awakening of mankind and recognition of fact of brotherhood.
3. Problem of time: how long should hero be kept broadcasting in the satellite, from scientific and dramatic standpoints?
4. Characterization of hero: probably should be fairly young, quiet but determined, does not readily go overboard for a new idea, but goes all out to put conviction into practice, once convinced.
5. Personal relationships of hero. Synopsis does not refer to any, but probably should have close ties with a few people on Earth. Love interest?
6. Content and wording of his broadcasts are crucial. No long speeches. He talks only a little while each day, and his messages are interspersed with scenes showing reaction thereto. We can send some suggestions about what he says, later, if desired.
7. Before the outcome is revealed by the flashing of the Star of Hope, certain specific event should be shown happening on earth, such as freeing of political prisoners by demand of the people in countries that have such prisoners -- as an expression of their awakened sense of brotherhood and universal justice.
www.earthsite.org
By John McConnell
March 10, 2002
Introduction:
The following article, written back in 1957, almost became the basis for a major motion picture when I presented it to leaders in Hollywood. My wife just found a copy of it and I thought it was relevant to what is happening in the world today. This was at the time I had obtained global attention for my proposal that we launch a visible Star of Hope Satellite.
**************************************
The central idea in Stowaway on a Satellite is that a U. S. scientist working on a manned space flight project, in a time of desperate international tension and imminent war between U. S. and Russia, conceives and carries out a daring plan to substitute himself for the dummy intended to occupy the capsule in the satellite.
His motive: to be in a position to speak to the whole world from a vantage point which no man on Earth has ever before occupied, on the necessity of marshaling all of mankind's reason and goodwill to stop the plunge toward war and world suicide.
Development: First phase of plan works out o.k. He carries out the substitutions, and the satellite goes into orbit. He starts broadcasting the speech he had very carefully prepared and memorized -- mainly an exhortation to think, to use reason, to face all the facts about where the present course of action is leading. Speech is beamed primarily to other scientists and intellectuals. He also stresses need to summon moral energy to match the physical energy recently released by science.
Then he discovers that the receiving part of his radio apparatus is not working. He gets nothing from Earth, and has no way of knowing whether he is being heard.
He is being heard, however.
First reaction is one of astonishment -- and in the U. S. at least -- great elation over the fact of having launched a live man into space even earlier than was planned. It is hailed as a great step in the race for "control" of outer space.
People all over the world hear of the man speaking from outer space. Some governments at first try to prevent reception or translation of his broadcasts, but this becomes impossible because the fact is so widely known. All they can do is try to answer his arguments with counter-propaganda -- a rather futile attempt.
For nothing else in the airways can compete with the "earth man in outer space." Not only does he swamp all other programs but he makes "business as usual" impossible. More and more people stop to listen when his broadcasts come on (probably at regular times each day).
In the early stages, the effect of this novel event is to increase tension all over the world. Many of the comfortable, complacent ones -- and those who were ignorant and unaware of what was happening in the world -- are now set "on edge." The whole world gets a terrible case of nerves. For the time being this makes it even more difficult to solve problems and conflicts.
As people listen to what he is saying, the "universal' tenor of his speech causes some on both sides of the Iron curtain to accuse him of trying to undermine their morale and weaken their fighting spirit. Russia demands that the U. S. stop him. And U. S. while refusing to bow to Russia's demand, wants to stop him for reasons of its own.
But since his receiving system is not working, nothing can be done, and since he is becoming the idol of the whole world, no government would dare to shoot him down to silence him.
At times his voice literally fills the world, coming from millions of radios at once. (Effect of his broadcasts in different parts of the world and among different people might be shown by repeated sequence of representative scenes around the world, with at least some of the same characters appearing each time in a given scene, so that the audience comes to recognize these figures.)
The hero, not knowing whether he is getting through to Earth's people, keeps trying ever more desperately and earnestly to communicate with them, hoping that perhaps some may pick up his thought, if not his voice. He goes from his carefully prepare speech into ever deeper levels of analyzing man's plight. As a man alone in the universe with his own soul, he senses and expresses the terrible loneliness and alienation which men on Earth have brought upon themselves by not recognizing the fundamental fact of kinship, brotherhood, oneness of humanity.
Earlier in story, before hero stows away on satellite, he is shown to be acquainted with certain effort on the part of scientists and laymen to reverse the trend toward war by substituting for the policies then in force a more creative course of action , such as:
1) movement on the part of some scientists to bring all space exploration under the control of a cooperative agency representing every country on earth and eliminate completely the rivalry and the weapons aspect of the program.
2) a laymen's movement to mobilize goodwill on a world-wide scale to find "moral equivalents to war."
It has been urged by both these groups that when their efforts shall have borne enough fruit so that all governments agree to use peaceful means to work out difficulties and are really laying down their arms, a symbolic "flashing star" satellite be launched to represent the hope and promise of a dynamic peace.
At beginning of story he was not sold on either of these efforts, being somewhat skeptical of "movements" and "crusades". But the same soul-searching which led him to make his daring move have also made him sympathetic with these efforts.
Yet in the early stages of his space flight and broadcasts he actually slows down the work for peace, along with other work on Earth, by being such a distraction. He pleads for intensified work for peace, but as is shown by various scenes of people reacting to his broadcasts, the actual effect of this world-shaking event, with its tremendous emotional impact, is at first to make people more jittery and confused.
Thus even though he is being listened to avidly, he seems not to be accomplishing his purpose. Conflicts, arguments and threats continue in the various governing bodies and in the Unite Nations.
Suddenly the hero tells that his return mechanism has failed and that he cannot get back to Earth. People all over the world are stunned. They have all come to identify themselves with him.
There is a world-wide surge of sympathy and distress for this helpless traveler out in space. Governments are besieged with pleas to help him. But as before, nothing can be done to reach him.
Great sorrow sets in all over the world as people realize they are powerless to help him. Now they hang on his every word and few or none try to argue with his message. Many ministers turn over their regular services and many teachers their classroom to his broadcasts.
His voice is becoming weaker and requires more and more amplification to be heard. But his message becomes more penetrating than ever.
The more he realizes he will not be seeing Earth again, the more tenderly he reminisces on its beauty and his love for the old home planet. (Here could be flashbacks to his life on earth). He even addresses himself to whatever advanced beings may inhabit other planets, invoking their tolerance and mercy for Earth's blundering but upward striving people -- apologizing to the advanced beings for being so provincial as to have patriotic sentiments for his own planet:
Many persons who have organized efforts to save life of hero now turn their energies to actions for peace, petitioning their governments and volunteering possessions and services to help those in need. This happens in communities all over the world, but effect on official governing bodies is still not apparent-- and outcome of peace-or-war issues still not clear. Some scenes are shown, however, which indicate a great effort to break through political boundaries and communicate freely about the problems and issues that are causing trouble.
Hero, without knowing it, has by his unique vantage point and the way he made use of it in communicating with Earth's people, succeeded in implanting a world-wide sense of unity that has never before been realized. He has jolted people out of their narrow individual ruts and made them think and feel as they have never thought or felt before. He is becoming very tired and realizes that his strength is just about spent. He has done his best but does not know whether anything will come of his sacrifice.
Suddenly he sees a flash of light. First thought is, 'Have they blown up the World with atomic warfare?" But then he realizes it is not that kind of flash. It appears to be a flashing star. Can this actually be the Star of Hope - symbol of a world that has turned the corner toward peace? He fears it may be a hallucination coming to him in his weakened state. He shuts his eyes for a few seconds and looks again. It is still there, and he realizes it is no hallucination but indeed the Star of Hope.
**************************************************
NOTES
1. Plot should be developed so that final issue -- Armageddon or unequivocal turning toward peace -- is kept in doubt up to the very end. Yet the developments shown in the course of the story, especially the various reactions to the hero's broadcasts, increasing in intensity so the story progresses, should make the final outcome credible.
2. Since story cannot be based on assumption that hero will be the first man in space, uniqueness will lie in his use of this extra-mundane position to plead for an awakening of mankind and recognition of fact of brotherhood.
3. Problem of time: how long should hero be kept broadcasting in the satellite, from scientific and dramatic standpoints?
4. Characterization of hero: probably should be fairly young, quiet but determined, does not readily go overboard for a new idea, but goes all out to put conviction into practice, once convinced.
5. Personal relationships of hero. Synopsis does not refer to any, but probably should have close ties with a few people on Earth. Love interest?
6. Content and wording of his broadcasts are crucial. No long speeches. He talks only a little while each day, and his messages are interspersed with scenes showing reaction thereto. We can send some suggestions about what he says, later, if desired.
7. Before the outcome is revealed by the flashing of the Star of Hope, certain specific event should be shown happening on earth, such as freeing of political prisoners by demand of the people in countries that have such prisoners -- as an expression of their awakened sense of brotherhood and universal justice.
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