The analogy used by the newspaper reporter is generally considered a weak analogy. While both scenarios involve complex challenges, the comparison between putting a man on the moon and curing the common cold relies on fundamentally different types of problems.
Reasons why it's a weak analogy:
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Nature of the Problems: Putting a man on the moon involved overcoming engineering and technological challenges that were primarily physical and quantifiable. In contrast, curing the common cold involves biological complexities, including the nature of viruses and the human immune system, which are not fully understood and are influenced by numerous variables.
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Progress in the Fields: We have made significant advances in aerospace engineering and technology, allowing for the successful moon landing. However, the science of virology and immunology is still developing, with many viruses (including those that cause the common cold) evolving rapidly, making it difficult to create a universal cure.
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The Scope of Goals: The moon landing was a singular, achievable goal that could be planned and executed. Curing the common cold, on the other hand, involves ongoing research and numerous strains of viruses, making it a more complicated and less defined goal.
In conclusion, while both statements suggest a disparity between human achievement and a persistent problem, they are not truly comparable, rendering the analogy weak.