Fortunately, this flag does not belong to any one country, such as the American flag going up on the moon.
No, there is a new flag that is supposed to transcend nationalities and represent the entire planet earth, and not just any one country.
Personally, I think this is a huge thing and would mark genuine progress, although I am certain that many of my fellow countrymen in the United States, who have seen images of the American flag that was planted on the Moon, after all, would strongly disagree.
Still, I suspect that, since the funding of NASA is consistently being cut, and now it is private corporations (not necessarily rooted to the United States) who might just plant their flags on future landmark achievements of space exploration (such as getting to Mars), then should we adjust accordingly when a corporate flag with allegiance to no nation, only to profits, plants it's flag on the planet?
When the United States was dominating the space race after having fallen behind early on, the country as a whole seemed to be on top of the world, with a strong sense of direction and purpose. Space represented this idealism: Americans could truly celebrate such an enormous and historical achievement.
I suspect that most people would agree that we seem to have largely lost our way since then. I also suspect that it has everything to do with the death of idealism, which also marked the death of a unified national sense of purpose. When it is all about me, me, me, how can you have a unifying vision for the country? Even when Bush tried to present such a vision in his second inaugural address, using high-minded terminology when calling his supposed vision for the country the "Ownership Society," it lacked substance, as it was largely just a barely concealed itinerary for further corporate control in all aspects of life. This became more and more transparent throughout Bush's second term (although it was pretty clear for those paying attention throughout his first term, as well).
Right now, NASA no longer seems to be benefiting from the tremendous, historical landmark achievement of putting a man on the moon. No, these days, it is constantly being attacked by neocon Congressmen who blast it for research by scientists that support the mounting (and frankly, overwhelming) evidence that climate change/global warming is real, and that there is a lot of evidence to point to human activity being the main reason behind it. NASA has been pulled into the budget debate, constantly at threat for receiving less and less funding, as a result.
Fat chance that it will score an enormous victory then, by putting a man on Mars.
Which means that this huge achievement will either be achieved by some other nation, or by some corporation.
All the more reason to this time emphasize the achievement as a human one, not specific to any country trying to outdo all others, right?
Now, we also have a flag for this admittedly lofty idea, and it is a pretty cool one, at that!
Oskar Pernefeld designed a flag that is very innovative and aesthetically pleasant, and it represents a certain idealism that transcends nationalism and rivalries, and aims for a more united world, with people feeling more unified in their sense of belonging to the world community as a whole.
It is a bunch of circles, or spheres, many of which join together at the core to show a unique looking pattern in the middle.
Very cool!
The international flag of Earth is kind of a big deal. Here's why. by Lori White
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