Richard Garriott at SXSW
Ultima creator and private astronaut Richard Garriott gave a presentation at SXSW on Saturday, talking about Man on a Mission and various space travel concepts related thereto. For those of you who’ve followed his talks on this topic in the past, there won’t be much in the way of “new and surprising” commentary from the “second-generation astronaut”. That said, these revelations came as news to me:
{Garriott is] passionate about finding ways to fund his own future journeys, for one thing. On the recent trip he had created a software that warned astronauts when they were approaching spots where they were supposed to take photos. Previously astronauts had to watch out the window and try to visually line up the photo they?d gone up with with the scene below.
He also did work protein crystallization for ExtremoZyme, Inc., a biotechnology company he co-founded with his father. The proteins they used have important cellular functions and are associated with common human diseases. The weightless environment of space helps form superior crystals which researchers on earth to study to learn more about the molecular structure of these proteins for protein engineering and drug design.
This statement, meanwhile, will resonate with Ultima fans:
“I have a passion for exploration,” he said, “I have a passion for understanding and I have a passion to create things for others to explore.”
Ain’t that the truth?
That last quote would make a great bumper sticker. Better than “SAVE THE PLANET | KILL YOURSELF”, as cool as it is. Exploration, Understanding and Creation are some pretty good principles for virtue extrapolation as well.
What’s weird is that, without hearing any RG news, I was speculating with Maria a couple of days ago that he was probably able to contribute to the mission by helping with the skiff/ship/sailors/charts (metaphors) since he has some skills. Glad he was indeed inspired and did some good work while up there.
The problem is when people who don’t have a superior work ethic and sense of common mission go into space. The analog is the recent murder spree in Afghanistan, but it’ll be a fly-by shooting from a rogue pilot with illegal equipment in space. We’ll welcome HAL if it keeps the rest of the crew from bullying or stealing from us.
Richard Garriott is such an amazing dude. What an entrepreneur, he didn’t make those ultima games or the protein crystallization for the good of mankind. He did it for money. He did it for himself. To help finance his trip to space. It was also the perfect timing and event to promote his game.
He’s a man that doesn’t let others stand in his way.
When you see him speak in interviews and the way he holds himself. You can tell, he has an immense pride for himself and his accomplishments.
He’s earned every bit of it.
Maybe that’s why humility is the root virtue. The result of his subconscious trying to balance his hubris. Or maybe it’s just a coincidence.