We Stopped Dreaming (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

[Rahul]

Remind me, is this a scientific fact or nationalistic hyperbole?

I get the point entirely and I see the damage it can do (and is doing). I personally think this is exactly the kind of egotistical nonsense that will undermine genuine, disinterested scientific discovery.

Former Soviet space official on US moon landing:

SAGDEEV: I think, as many other Soviets, we had mixed feelings. There was some sadness to know that we were not anymore space leaders. But I think at the same time I think overwhelming feeling that Armstrong and all the steps down on the moon surface was on behalf of all of us too. On behalf of all the humankind.

http://www.theworld.org/2009/07/former-s...n-landing/

Although I missed the televised landing and it was years before I saw the footage of the actual landing, I was deeply moved by the rejoicing of people around the world who viewed the accomplishment not so much as an American feat but as a giant step for humanity. "They" felt part of the "we" who put the men on the moon and all identified with the astronauts as human beings.July 20, 1996 was a day on which the world took a giant leap toward unity.

http://www.wherewereyou.com/frames/intl.html

The "success of America" is a "success for every living man" asserted the Swahili-language Ngurumo of Dar as Salaam.

http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/17...2539216923

The flight of Apollo 11 met with an ecstatic reaction around the globe, as everyone shared in the success of the astronauts. The front pages of newspapers everywhere suggested how strong the enthusiasm was. NASA estimated that because of nearly worldwide radio and television coverage, more than half the population of the planet was aware of the events of Apollo 11.

http://blog.nasm.si.edu/history/apollo-1...the-world/