The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe Essay Example for Free

The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe Essay Tom Wolfe’s book, The Right Stuff, is about the lives of several pilots and astronauts who were involved in tests and experiments conducted by the United States after the Cold War. These experiments were in line with the space race between the United States and the then Union of Soviet Socialists Republic. These pilots were subjected to several experiments using experimental high speed aircrafts which are all rocket powered. Because of the complexity of the program, the pilots were tested and screened, and not all would pass these tests. The extensive nature of the research led to several effects on the pilots, their lives, and their families. In order to be chosen, or even to be just a part of the project, all of these people should possess one important aspect, which is known by many as â€Å"the right stuff†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of tough competition with the USSR, the United States chose only the best of the best for their experimental projects like the Project Mercury. Many people tried out for several experiments, but eventually, some of them would have to go home, as some would be able to continue with the experiments. It is a very extensive project, as well has a very demanding endeavor. There are a lot of requirements, and if the people involved fail to have one of these requirements, they will more or less be out of the project. As Tom Wolfe puts it, the people who can only continue would be those who possess the â€Å"right stuff† (Wolfe).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Tom Wolfe’s book defines the right stuff as having all the requirements and passing all the necessary tests in order to be a pilot or a spaceman. But that is not all; the right stuff would also have to include a strong heart, perseverance, and courage. It is through the mixture of all these trains that one would be able to attain the â€Å"right stuff† that the project calls for.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One important aspect of the right stuff is about bravery. Being in the project, one must be brave in order to remain there. It is now just man vs. other man in competing for a spot in the project, but also man vs. himself. He is responsible to his actions as well as his decisions, which is why he needs to be firm enough not to be swayed away by his fears. Also, it is not bravery wherein you just have to risk your life, as anyone could easily do that. Instead, he should be willing to be literally a lab rat, wherein anything can happen to him. Afterwards, he should be able to keep his cool, as well as retain his reflexes and the experience in order to do it again for the next day, then again the next day, until the research calls for it to stop.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There were various tests that these pilots and astronauts would have to undergo over and over again – an infinite set of mind and body exhausting activities that would really put anyone to their limits. The whole process is compared to a stepped pyramid or a ziggurat, wherein one has to move along the high and steep steps in order to go up. Through this way, that person can prove that as he goes up, he really does deserve to be one of those who were elected to do the job, because they were the right ones and because they had the right stuff to begin with. Everyone aims for the top, no matter how steep it is, though everyone gets only one chance to prove that they really have the right stuff. It was something that not all man can do, and the ones who do it are really the best.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Tom Wolfe defines the right stuff as the culmination of every skill and every talent that a person has, provided that he passes every test that was set for him in order to qualify for the experiment. It is not pure brawns, or pure brains, but instead, it offers the best of everything. People possessing the right stuff really have to be good at many things, especially those which are greatly needed in the experiment. Works Cited: Wolfe, Tom. The Right Stuff. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1979.