almost lucid thoughts

Historians have long wondered why China’s Ming emperors in the 15th century dismantled their treasure fleet, made up of the largest and most advanced ships of the time. The decision to end its far-ranging voyages — to the Middle East and East Africa — marked the beginning of China’s centuries-long decline.

Is the United States, by abandoning manned space exploration, making the same mistakes as the complacent Ming rulers? We are, unfortunately, witnessing the narrowing of America’s horizons at a time when Beijing is revealing its stunning ambitions in space.