Failure of Imagination: Stolen Line

[RoyGBiv]

This is a bit off the trend of the current topics, but this just hit me. I was randomly channel surfing and landed on _From the Earth to the Moon_, specifically the episode that dramatized the aftermath of the Apollo I disaster.

One of the astronauts, whose name I forget, was testifying about the disaster, and it was his presentation that the episode implies led to convincing several of the congressional members doing the investigating to lay off. During his testimony he was asked what was the root cause of the disaster, and he answered that it was primarily a "failure of imagination." He then offered that Congress should "end this witch hunt" and let them get back to business.

"Failure of imagination" is probably the most famous phrase from the 9/11 report, and it was used in a similar manner. I can't help but wonder about whether the line was purposefully stolen.

Anyway ... just thought I'd mention it. I had kind of a "holy crap" moment when I heard it coming out of my television.

[Robbien]

1. Just googled the "failure of imagination" phrase

What a surprise the variety of issues being blamed on a "failure of imagination". From Auschwitz to the new $50 bill. Basically it means a bureaucratic banality in getting things resolved.

Doesn't surprise me the space program is also under that phrase's umbrella.