How Space Exploration Changed the World—and Your Investments
The Journey of Space Exploration
On October 4, 1957, an R-7 ICBM rocket launched from the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. It reached space and left a 23-inch polished metal sphere. This sphere had four antennas that broadcast radio signals. It was the Earth's first man-made satellite.
Key Milestones in Space History
- A month later, a dog named Laika became the first animal to orbit the Earth.
- Twelve years later, Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon.
At no point in this sequence of events did technology move backward. Technology can't go backward. We build on past tech, always improving it.
The Space Race and Technological Advances
The U.S. and Soviet Union's space race sped up tech advances. These advances benefit everyone today. Over the years, we have seen:
- Battery-powered tools
- Velcro
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Virtual reality
Would someone have invented these anyway? Yes, likely so, but not until now or even some time in the future.
Economic Growth and Invention
The strong, steady economic growth we saw coincided with a battle for tech supremacy between these two global powers.
A successful invention creates efficiency and value. A series of successful inventions creates a global boom that is difficult to slow down.
While we may label a slowing of such growth a “bust,” we can never go back to a time when such inventions didn’t exist.
The Impact on Daily Life
- You will never have to rush to a phone booth to make a call.
- You will never have to fax anything.
- You likely don't even know the process of making a smoke signal.
When the "professionals" say how terrible things are, ask yourself: Are we more advanced than 10 years ago? What are the odds we will continue to advance, and what will life look like 10 years from now?
Investing in Future Growth
Invest in companies to participate in this financial growth. Diversify your investments across industries, geographies, and sectors. This will help with the bumps of risky investments. It will let you join in the global growth to come.
Conclusion
Our technological progress has only just begun.
So, what do you think? Are you happy with how your investment portfolio has performed? Would you consider a more passive but successful approach? Can you let go of the stress of watching the market? Your portfolio exists to meet your needs in the distant future.