The Weakest Link

To be honest, I didn’t think I would like this book, “Packing for Mars”, because of its cover.  I know how cliché that sounds, “Never judge a book by its cover” but the first chapter was intriguing enough to reel me in.  I loved reading about the different tests that the competing people were put through.  The origami test, for instance, seemed strange to me but actually does make sense.  One of the quotes I found interesting was, “Its forensic origami: As the deadline nears and the pressure increases, do the candidate’s creases become sloppy? How do the first ten cranes compare to the last? “Deterioration of accuracy shows impatience under stress” (26).  This was interesting to me because when people think of astronauts, they think of diligent, quick-thinking, intelligent people. It’s such a clever way to test a person’s patience, work ethic, and concentration, what better way to root out those who don’t fit the profile?  Another thing that surprised me was the way some astronauts viewed their time in space.  Gene Cernan, Apollo 17 astronaut, was noted as writing, “Funny thing happened on the way to the moon: not much.  Should have brought some crossword puzzles” (27).  I feel like no matter how many times I went to space, I would be focused on the view.  Mary Roach begins to explain how many veteran astronauts became a bit bored in space, which could be understanding.  However I view myself as the Harland Williams type in the movie “Rocket man”, I’d make the best of it.  Astronaut Norm Thagard had said, “Life on Mir was mostly mundane” (27).  Supposedly putting up with boredom is in an astronaut’s training manual to make the cut.  

That being said, I like all the psychology behind an astronauts training.  This chapter revolves around analyzing an astronaut’s psyche, I feel.  It was funny how lunch time played out, when Applicant A initiates the start of the meal, but didn’t begin eating right away himself as he knew they were all being scrutinized.  Even the way their etiquette and plates were before, during, and after the meal were observed which seemed like a curious thing to test them on.  How about when the applicants were told to build themselves and everyone else with Legos?  The Lego representation of yourself could have bright, flashy colors, while the others are all dull and look drab.  This could mean the applicant could be arrogant, selfish, not a team player, etc. and it’s interesting that children’s toys can be utilized by adults to test the mind.  Basically, the thing with this chapter that I found to be most alluring was the many ways a person’s personality/mind is examined completely to judge who will be the next spaceman.