Space

Two chapter epigraphs from this book:

"The immensity of the universe becomes a matter of satisfaction rather than awe; we are citizens of no mean city." Sir James Jans, British physicist. [9]

Something wrong with his awe-gland, maybe? Though the cosmos as a city is an intriguing idea.

"It is a brazen conceit to suppose that a machine can be built even one-half as capable as the mind of man." Scott Crossfield, X-15 test pilot. [51]

This is the same Crossfield who flew throught the sky unaided, twice as fast as an X-15, by the power of his mind alone!