,
in her Golden Age, displayed a genius for the creative use of
leisure which can be seen as complementary, and indeed superior, to
her genius for military and commercial ventures. There have also
been such periods of all-pervasive inspiration in the history of
other peoples * * *. The doubling of our standard of living will
present a growing challenge to the human spirit and produce graver
consequences, should we fail to meet it. We neglect the proper use
of leisure at our peril.[77]

In other words, the answer to the problem does not lie solely with the
golf course, the yacht club, the theater, or the lengthened vacation.
Much more will be required.

The intellectual stimulus of space exploration and research, which
undoubtedly will divide into numerous branches like capillary streaks
from a bolt of lightning, should be markedly useful in helping to fill
this vacuum. Space research would seem particularly applicable in this
role since it deals with fundamental knowledge and concepts which are
satisfying in terms of psychological needs and sense of purpose.

_Intensified nationalism_

Ever since World War II the era of colonialism has been on the wane.
Many nations have proclaimed, won, or wrested their independence during
that period. Others appear to be on the verge of doing so. At any rate,
it is clear that in the decades ahead the world is going to see the rise
of even more independent nations with strong nationalistic feelings.

History implies that developments of this sort are often accompanied by
international unrest--because of the normal ebullience of national
adolescence and the desire to be accepted by the world community, as
well as a variety of concomitant political and economical upheavals.

For whatever trials may lie ahead on this score, space exploration may
prove to be much needed oil on rough water.

Ambitious, advanced, sophisticated space exploration in the future is
almost certain to require a high degree of international cooperation and
perhaps even a pooling of resources and funds to some degree. Already
America has found it expedient, in some cases mandatory, to depend on
facilities in other countries for her ventures into space. A good
example is the close cooperation between the United States and tracking
bases located in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and elsewhere. An even
better one is the important part played in U.S. efforts by England'