Do you believe humans will soon land on the planet Mars and create settlements there? Does that seem like a pipe dream? After all, it would take almost two years after launching  for a space ship to get there, another two years to return to earth. And there are the problems of food, water (both unavailable on Mars) and oxygen  (of which there’s not enough to support life).

But before you laugh at those who predict that to happen, hear what English scientist Roger Bacon had to say in the 13th century, almost 800 years ago. This he wrote: “Machines for navigating are possible without rowers, so that great ships, suited to river or ocean, guided by one man, may be borne  with greater speed  than if they were full of men. Likewise cars may be made so that without draught animals they may be moved --and flying machines are possible, so that a man may sit in the middle, turning some device by which artificial wings may beat  the air in the manner of a flying bird.“

Bacon made this prophecy 600 years before the first self-propelled vehicle--run by steam engine--came into use. And it was many more years before the first automobiles, airplanes, telephones and radios appeared.. But he was the kind of person who understood that human beings have tremendous, unlimited creative ability and he wasn’t afraid to say so. And that got him into big trouble.

Because  to most people of his day those predictions were unbelievable, ridiculous and probably immoral. And the religious and political leaders felt threatened by these and other ideas of Bacon. They lived in a world in which there was little education. Most people were illiterate and uninformed, and that’s the way the kings and priests wanted them. The ignorant are easier to  deceive  and control than the informed. As a result Bacon spent more than 10 years in jail.

I mentioned in an earlier column that some Europeans, scientists and others, were tortured and killed for things they wrote or spoke. Things which challenged the long-held--often for hundreds of years--social and religious assumptions of the time. 

But it’s not just fear of the authorities that make most people--probably all of us at times--uncomfortable with new ideas. Ideas that threaten to make changes in the way we live. It’s also peer pressure--the discomfort of disagreeing with the general way of thinking of the social circle you belong to.         

In a democratic country with freedom of speech it’s relatively easy to disagree with the government and other authorities. You’ll always find others who agree with you. But disagreeing with your family and the people you hang out with, that’s another matter requiring more courage and independence.

Now we don’t have to face the very serious consequences of our views as Roger Bacon did. But it’s still hard to cling to your own opinions when good ol’ Bob and Joe and Carol and Jane, your beloved buddies, think those opinions  are stupid or evil.

Well, if you decide to defend your views you’d better first know what you’re talking about. If your buddies explain why they think you’re wrong you should have to explain why they’re wrong. Don’t tell them why you disagree with your town council if you haven’t bothered to learn anything about its policies. You need to find out what facts and opinions for and against those policies are. Hopefully your local media has been checking out the details. Also you can phone or speak directly to the councillor that represents you. It’s evidence you need.

And, as I’ve often mentioned here before: To be informed about provincial, and national-international affairs check out a wide variety of TV, radio and newspaper sources.  If you’ve done that over quite some time, years perhaps, you begin to realize which ones are serious about checking the facts and seeking opinions on both (or three or more) sides of issues. And which are prone to see everything from only one perspective and give too much space to the extremists and conspiracy theorists.

Some people, like Bacon, are excited about change in our communities and our world and are in favour of acting upon it. Others do not, in general, like new ways of doing things and try to get them stopped. And in some cases the change-lovers are right, while in other cases the old-way folk are right. It’s your job to be well informed about both .

To comment on columns contact Esther or me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 306 384 8657 or 110 - 201 Cree Place Saskatoon,  S7K 7Z3