Remembering Ray Bradbury: An illustrated life
By
Nick Wakeman
Even in his later years, Ray Bradbury, who died this week, was a firm believer in science and technology. Editor Nick Wakeman shares his 2005 interview with the science fiction icon.
I was sad to hear the news about Ray Bradbury’s death. But at 91, the science fiction writer lived a good long life. We should all be so lucky.
I had the chance to interview Bradbury in 2005 after the author of the Illustrated Man and Fahrenheit 451 received the Thomas O. Paine Award for the Advancement of Human Exploration of Mars.
We talked a lot about the advancements of technology and the importance of space exploration.
We also talked a lot about history. When I asked him if he was optimistic that man would go to Mars, he said, “Oh we will. There will be people like myself, kicking butt to do it.”
But then he quickly began talking about Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Giovanni Caboto (also known as John Cabot.)
“Three explorers in three ships started it 500 years ago and people told them not to do it,” Bradbury said.
He was a believer that we need to keep science and technology forward. While government needs to take the lead in space exploration, competition is important.
“The sooner China gets competitive [in space], the better. If the Russians really get back into it, that's even better,” he said.
Click here to read the interview and share your thoughts.
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