When the Impossible becomes Possible

I recently heard an interview on one of my favorite National Public Radio shows, Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, with Dr. Ellen Stofan. She is currently the Under Secretary for Science and Research at The Smithsonian Institute and was previously the Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum. The “panelists,” who are comedians, were quizzing her with their space related questions. They asked, “did Matt Damon return from Mars?” and “did we really land on the moon?” along with other profound comedic questions.

She had an interesting response, after laughing off the inane, comic questions of the panelists: “Don’t scoff at science fiction, remember it had to be imagined before it could be invented."

I remember the first manned (monkeyed?) space shot, John Glenn’s first orbit around the moon, the moon landing, and eventually the space shuttle and space station. All seemed impossible when President Kennedy announced the nation’s goal toward space exploration, crewed space flight, and an eventual moon landing. We learned it was not impossible, and now we have rovers on Mars.

On an earthlier note, I thought it would be impossible to kill my zucchini plants, but I did! I also noticed two pots of mint, both of which are dead! If I can kill zucchini and mint, maybe I ought to start on cockroaches next. If I imagine a cockroach, yellow jacket killing machine, someone will invent it.

Last week I had to make a run to Los Angeles. Doctor, dentist and my usual sushi gorge, a visit with my sister, cousins, and some tennis with friends. On my way to the airport for the 6:00 a.m. flight out of Walla Walla, it finally happened, a deer in the road. Somewhere before Dixie, I slammed on the breaks to avoid the deer meandering in front of me. I stopped, the deer stared me down, and casually strolled to the other side of the highway. My heart skipped a few beats; I took a deep breath and never blinked again until I pulled into the airport parking lot.

After my deer encounter, I’ve decided to start putting effort into imagining a deer sensor with lights or a mini-siren. It would alert drivers to a deer in the road, keeping it from becoming roadkill if the driver blinks, changes radio station, or takes a quick look at an incoming text. If I continue to imagine it, maybe someone will invent something that fits nicely on my cute little Mustang convertible. Impossible?

I recently purchased a new computer, which arrived a few days ago. I dreaded the impossible task before me, the smooth transfer of programs and applications from the old to the new. I am moderately “tech-savvy” but wanted to be sure I didn’t transfer the same problems from the old to the new machine. And would Eric be available to help me set up the printer from my old computer to the new one?

On a fluke, just for fun to see just how frustrating setting up the printer would be, I hit “print” after completing a test document. It printed! My computer found the printer, and I didn’t need to call Eric and have him google which drivers I needed to add, subtract, or change! Thankfully, someone at Apple imagined and implemented what I refer to as the “miracle printer program.”

Ok, agreed, my computer bar is set somewhat low. I can quickly and efficiently find my documents, my email, and I can print! But, to me: this was the impossible becoming possible. The imagined becoming reality.