The View-Point

Evita and Boredom

A quote from a July 10, 2006 news story on Space Tourism reads:

"... British billionaire Sir Richard Branson is banking on a lot of pent-up demand. "Of all the businesses I've started, this is by far and away the most exciting."

His new company, Virgin Galactic, is already taking reservations for suborbital flights from the paying public.

For $200,000, you're promised a three-hour flight, with several minutes of weightlessness. And you can float around the cabin if you want to...." (from Space Tourism Isn't Necessarily Out of the Question)

The question is, who can afford to pay $200k for a 3-hour thrill-ride? Obviously this venture is aimed at the super-rich. After all, if you've got $200k burning a hole in your pocket, I suppose you'd be on a constant look out for the latest and greatest thrill. Perhaps Branson's new operation could be considered the New Drug for the uber-rich.

Our old friends Rice & Lloyd Webber, while specifically addressing fame, have characterized this top-of-the-world attitude best in the following lyrics from the beloved musical/opera, Evita:

... High flying, adored
What happens now, where do you go from here?
For someone on top of the world
The view is not exactly clear
A shame you did it all at twenty-six
There are no mysteries now
Nothing can thrill you, no one fulfill you

High flying, adored
I hope you come to terms with boredom
So famous so easily, so soon
It's not the wisest thing to be...

(from Evita, "High Flying, Adored")

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