Many thanks for the cover story “Live from Mars” [Aug. 20]. As an 11-year-old science geek in the summer of 1976, I thought the world had gone mad with a certain Romanian gymnast named Nadia Comaneci on the balance beam taking pride of place on TIME’s cover, with the landmark accomplishment of the first Viking-probe landing on Mars relegated to the upper-right corner. This week’s issue restores some semblance of order to our galaxy: Mars on the cover, and no mention of sports until later on.
Philip Iau, SINGAPORE
The landing of Curiosity was a singularly brilliant achievement by the U.S. Even the crowd of scientific troglodytes that perennially harps “money could be better spent” would recognize this amazing achievement.
R.K. Barnes, WEDDERBURN, AUSTRALIA
What can we learn from Mars? It is easier to spend over $2 billion on the Red Planet than on fellow Americans. Adventure trumps people and infrastructure. If only citizens and bridges were as glorious as space treks.
Michael Driver, ICHIHARA, JAPAN
NASA’s accomplishment with the most recent rover is significant, but if the U.S. wants to continue its space program without going broke, the agency needs to make a fundamental change. The most expensive part of space exploration is leaving Earth’s atmosphere. Tremendous amounts of money are spent on rocket fuel alone just to thrust past gravity and get payloads into outer space. If more resources are invested in alternative methods like the space elevator, an idea taken seriously by many scientists, then the costs of outer-space travel could be drastically reduced.
Geoffrey Stines, TORONTO
After reading the article on the landing of Curiosity on Mars, I can’t help thinking how much more successful and better funded a global space agency could be. Coming from an African country, an engineer like myself has little chance of contributing to an all-American NASA, or any European agency. It would be great to stop the petty politics and national pride in the name of science and work as a global team.
Andrew Morgan, LONDON
Female Factor
I read with disbelief the article about the impact of female competitors on the London Olympics [Wonder Women, Aug. 20]. Why no reference to Katie Taylor? As the current holder of not only an Olympic gold medal but also the Irish, European and world 60-kg titles, surely she deserves a mention. It is understood that she was influential in the decision to include women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympics. Her achievements inspired spectators to raise the roof in the London arena and lifted the small country of Ireland badly in need of some positive news.
John O’Brien, DUBLIN
Great Plains
As Mongolia develops, it runs the risk of going the way of China’s Inner Mongolia, where large swaths of grasslands have been destroyed [Hesitant Steppes, Aug. 20]. The most challenging work for Mongolia would be to balance rapid economic growth with its unique geography and environment.
Lin Buwei, NANJING, CHINA
Localnomics
I thoroughly enjoyed the article “Go Glocal” [Aug. 20] by Rana Foroohar on the rules of the new economy. But I was disappointed to see almost no mention of the new economy also being a green one. The need for a low-carbon economy at local, national and global levels has already become a major impetus for new ways of doing things.
Stuart Thompson, CAPE TOWN
U.S. industry will make America great again, not some very noisy politicians.
Olivier Comte, NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FRANCE
While companies study the differences in regional markets, they can also adopt a “glocal” vision that explores similar needs and values around the world. This is how manufacturers, service providers and tech firms can benefit from economies of scale while satisfying regional needs.
LuÍs Filipe Lages, LISBON
Acclaimed Critic
Re Milestones [Aug. 20]: I started reading Robert Hughes in the mid-1970s in the U.K. He was acerbic, witty and descriptive. Time has always had great critics in all areas, and Hughes was outstanding.
David Perry, AUCKLAND
Jerusalem Divided
Re “The Ultra-Holy City” [Aug. 13]: I take issue with the characterization of Avraham Stern as the Stern Gang’s “fascist founder,” which puts him in the same category as those who committed the Holocaust. He fought for the establishment of Israel in his own way, which may not be acceptable to everyone but certainly does not justify labeling him a fascist.
Felix Fischler, BOYNTON BEACH, FLA., U.S.