SSTFProgress
TrackinDaKrakenNeil claimed, and I think we should believe him, that he said “a man” but the radio glitched.
athatetIt “works” in that we know what he meant, but it literally doesn’t work without the “a”.
‘Man’ is often used in the same way as ‘mankind’ which is how I’ve usually seen the quote interpreted. Clearly the preposition ‘a’ makes a very big difference but it still makes sense.
‘Man’ is often used in the same way as ‘mankind’
Yes, which is why without the “a” doesn’t work. He wasn’t saying “A small step for mankind, one giant leap for mankind” because that’s nonsensical.
He was saying he (a man) was literally taking a step with his leg, but it was a figuratively large step for the species because of where/how he was taking that step.
wonderingwandererIt would be redundant and self-contradictory without the “a.” That’s why it doesn’t make sense without it.
You chill.
I would still leave that up to interpretation. I think it can make sense however I am having trouble putting my interpretation into words.
Two alternative redemptions of the ‘a’ not being present: It could be viewed as an ellipsis, it does sound slightly more pleasant to me without.
And it would also just be really silly if the first statement said upon stepping onto a celestial body no human has set foot on before is a self contradictory statement is