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#1001 Re: Human missions » Is this advertising? - NASA to offer website sponsorships » 2005-04-26 11:32:58
The Aldridge Commission said that making space exploration a larger part of our culture was a mission critical undertaking.
Our culture is shaped by big media. Therefore we either bribe, cajole or coerce big media to join the party or we accept space exploration as remaining outside mainstream American culture.
= = =
Big media will never value what they are given for free.
Coerce them into paying some money - - create some sunk costs - - and they will fight to build public support to recoup their investment.
In for a dime, in for a dollar.
Edited By BWhite on 1114536934
#1002 Re: Human missions » Is this advertising? - NASA to offer website sponsorships » 2005-04-25 15:13:19
This gives NASA another $8 billion for its missions.
Co-rection, Bill. That gives the US treasury 8 Billion. But say Congress passes a law (i hear they do that from time to time), and allow NASA to keep the money it makes, what makes you think those same politican's won't slash NASA budgets because "they can make thier own buck now."
Put a different spin on the idea- say another federal agency, i dunno, the EPA, started charging networks access rights to broadcast pictures of trees- or the interior department started charging for shots of Mount Rushmore...
NASA is a public agency, paid for by public funds- how do you legitametly sell access to a public agency that works for the benefit of citizens?
If Congress did that (swapped media money for tax dollars) and left NASA without sufficient funding to actually get to the Moon, then there would be no media money. Catch-22.
Besides, my plan is 100% non-exclusive - - everyone can buy access - - and six to twelve months after the mission, the video, audio and data feeds revert to the public domain.
= = = = =
Michael Griffin is on record (2003) saying that NASA needs about $20 billion per year to get serious lunar exploration underway. Get $12 billion in media access rights - - 100% non-exclusive - - and some of that shortfall is closed up.
= = = = =
Care to argue? Come to ISDC in Washington, I have this paper up on the agenda. 
#1003 Re: Human missions » Is this advertising? - NASA to offer website sponsorships » 2005-04-25 12:33:49
#1004 Re: Civilization and Culture » Should a space station be a piece of Cultural art? - An abandoned Rover or cultural artifact? » 2005-04-23 23:02:40
Actually, instead of some NASCAR-like plaster-it-with-stickers approach, if you're going to commericalize the next step in space, it makes much more sense to simply go to, say, General Motors, and say "We want a Mars rover that can {specifications}. You can make it look as much like a Pontiac/Chevy/GMC/whatever as you want, use the image in advertising as much as you want. We'll spare some astronauts to do the dog-and-pony show at auto conventions. In return, provide us with a few units gratis."
For the rover repair module, simply offer a similar deal: rights to promotional use in exchange for paying for the actual unit. It's NASA's problem to fly it to Mars (or wherever). Some large sign will be put on the side saying "Tire Kingdom" or whatever.
It would look much less busy than your idea, and the promotional value to the corporations is enhanced by its exclusivity.
:up:
And since I am an advocate of methane/LOX internal combustion rovers, Detroit could also sell some genuine rovers to wealthy Terran space fanatics.
Start with a Hummer or that giant Ford Excursion (and they said the Expedition was an Explorer on steroids) swap in a methane/LOX engine, as much composites as possible, make the doors solid panels with layers of Transhab fabric and put an airlock on the rear door (with the ability to connect to a pressurized trailer) and voila!
A Lunar or Mars rover. . .
#1005 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-22 13:59:48
George Bush is a http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca … ]Chicagoan
Too bad he lost the city 82% - 18% or something like that.
#1006 Re: Not So Free Chat » Interstellar colonization - Finally, a destination » 2005-04-22 11:27:14
Heh!
We are the Borg.
#1007 Re: Not So Free Chat » Interstellar colonization - Finally, a destination » 2005-04-22 08:47:31
Our species ability to do it may be a thousand years away however the discovery of this http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, … html]solar system assures me that humanity will have a place to go, and thrive, if we leave the Sol system.
And as I recall, Tau Ceti has asteorid belt resources and is much closer.
= = =
If we can survive and thrive in the Main Belt between Mars and Jupiter we can survive and thrive at these other places as well.
Getting there? Okay that's still the hard part.
#1009 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-21 14:30:50
I am sick and tired of a bunch of people trying to tell me that God wants a bunch of conservative judges on the court and that's why we have to change the rules of the United States Senate... John Kerry
#1010 Re: Not So Free Chat » Apropos of Nothing *4* » 2005-04-21 11:46:29
Got a good job in the city;
Working for the man every night 'n day.
#1011 Re: Not So Free Chat » Apropos of Nothing *4* » 2005-04-20 22:39:23
Dont know where else to put this. . .
I like this http://img156.exs.cx/img156/1489/snack7ov.gif]clickable smiley
![http://img156.exs.cx/img156/1489/snack7ov.gif]clickable](http://img156.exs.cx/img156/1489/snack7ov.gif]clickable){kind=link}
#1012 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-20 18:25:44
More http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s … punishment except the lemmings will sweep it under the rug, again. ???
#1013 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-20 14:03:39
I am http://www.misspoppy.com/catalog/xcart/ … speechless - - and that is very rare. :;):
#1014 Re: Not So Free Chat » Rabid Anti-Americanism? » 2005-04-20 13:43:30
Certainly an big show of outrage is grossly over-reacting, and in that Bill has a point.
In a metaphorical sense collectively glancing over, muttering "stupid", then proceeding to bust open a comet would be the most sensible approach.
Yup. That is pretty much my whole point. :up:
#1015 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-20 13:41:43
I read it on the internet so it must be true.
No, FOX radio. . .
#1016 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-20 13:33:06
Tom Delay disrespects the http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s … s]internet:
"Absolutely. We've got Justice Kennedy writing decisions based upon international law, not the Constitution of the United States? That's just outrageous," DeLay told Fox News Radio on Tuesday. "And not only that, but he said in session that he does his own research on the Internet? That is just incredibly outrageous."
:band: :band:
#1017 Re: Not So Free Chat » Rabid Anti-Americanism? » 2005-04-20 13:15:07
"I'd say 95% stupid/silly and 5% vaguely anti-American."
*Coughs* I think that is kinda anti-American in itself...
Nah, the Russian aerospace institutions hate NASA... first stabbing us in the back over ISS parts (getting NASA to cough up perhaps as much as $600M), gloating over Shuttle (kept operating in part because of Bruan), and basically doing what they can to keep NASA down or stuck and embarressed.
What in the heck does the supposed Bomber Gap have to do with this? ...The CIA got suckerd because the Communists were smart and moved their bombers around to different bases for our spy planes/satelites to see, not because of any "air show" nonsense We aren't dumb, thats stupid leftist folk-lore.
If the Russian areospace industry "hates" us its because we have a concerted and very deliberate policy of starving them of cash.
It may (or may not) be good policy for us, but its still a legitimate reason for their hostility. And if they can pay us back by trolling the "New Age" elements in our society, shame on them for trying and shame on us for falling for it.
That lawsuit? Its a troll!
Don't feed the trolls!
When we "get our knickers in a knot" over somethign stupid like an astrologer filing a lawsuit (total BS by the way) and start whining about "anti-Americanism" it reveals our own underlying insecurty - - just like the insecure man who buys a giant cigarette boat.
= = =
By the way, which "scientists" support the astrologer? As I recall, some Russians can be surprisingly (and genuinely) superstitious.
Edited By BWhite on 1114024580
#1018 Re: Civilization and Culture » An Ethics Exam for Mars Citizenship - If you were rejected, what would you do? » 2005-04-20 11:30:27
You are not a Jedi yet.
David Brin says Jedi are elitist scum.
#1019 Re: Not So Free Chat » Rabid Anti-Americanism? » 2005-04-20 11:22:53
Sometimes Bill, sometimes... but not this time. If that were a Russian impactor instead of an American one, do you think that Russian aerospace engineers would be siding with crazy hug-a-comet lady? Russian engineers hate NASA, no secret about that.
Hate us? Nah.
Its psy-ops via mockery. And we get psyched out pretty easily.
Didn't Kruschev take 12 new bombers (thats all they had) and have them fly repeated loops duirng a Moscow air show? I recall reading that the CIA told Eisenhower the Soviets had HUNDREDS of a new advanced bomber - - the fabled bomber gap.
We got played.
They know that the new age moonbats in America will buy into this "spirits in the comet" nonsense. And they are playing it.
= = =
Edit: We get all riled up about it and they win. Laugh it off and we win.
Edited By BWhite on 1114017872
#1020 Re: Not So Free Chat » Rabid Anti-Americanism? » 2005-04-20 11:08:18
When I was in first year law school we had a HUGE class-wide argument over a friviolous lawsuit that was actually filed in the circuit court of Cook County.
Some Chicago Bears season ticket holders (all lawyers) got together and filed a consumer fraud complaint saying that it was false advertising for the Chicago Bears to hold themselves out as a "professional" football team. It was the "Bears suck" lawsuit.
Some of us first year students thought the lawsuit was baseless and frivolous and should be dismissed but still was pretty darn FUNNY!
Others were outraged and thought the lawyers should be formally disciplined. HUGE argument lasted for weeks.
= = =
Is this Russian lawsuit patently ridiculous. Well d'oh!
I'd say 95% stupid/silly and 5% vaguely anti-American.
But if we are to survive as the most powerful nation on the planet, we need to learn to take a joke at our expense.
#1021 Re: Not So Free Chat » Rabid Anti-Americanism? » 2005-04-20 10:08:02
Bah! Why does everything have to be about US?
Guys buy big stereo speakers, and oversized power boats to compensate for a perceived inadequacy, well, elsewhere.
Americans wrap themselves in the flag, and exaggerate perceived international slights for similar reasons.
#1022 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » LED to Replace Lightbulbs? » 2005-04-17 18:21:09
Living on Mars will be very constraining, psychologically. Being able to "re-decorate" your personal living space simply by adjusting the colors of your lighting will impart a sense of control which I believe will be emotioanlly healthy.
*I totally agree. Will be great for folks who suffer from seasonal affective disorder or (on Mars) something akin to it.
Heck, they could probably even make the LED pulse and "flash" a bit too? Set an entire wall or room outfitted with LED display on "Party" and you won't need a mirrored ball. :laugh:
The possibilities will probably be endless.
--Cindy
Why wait for Mars? http://www.blacklight.com/items/led05r]Buy now.
Ravn]http://www.photonlight.com/ravn/index.html]Rav'n party light.
I need to go find that classic Nintendo quote. Here it is!
"It is ridiculous to claim that video games influence children. If Pac-Man affected kids born in the eighties, we should now have a bunch of teenagers who run around in darkened rooms and eat pills while listening to monotonous electronic music." - Kristian Wilson, Nintendo Inc., 1989
Can you say Rave! 
Edited By BWhite on 1113784043
#1023 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-04-15 18:44:16
http://www.frc.org/img/item/AD05D01_LARGE.jpg]Fascism - - American style
![http://www.frc.org/img/item/AD05D01_LARGE.jpg]Fascism](http://www.frc.org/img/item/AD05D01_LARGE.jpg]Fascism){kind=link}
If you oppose George W. Bush getting 100% of his judges approved, you HATE the Baby Jesus.
Cobra, here is your scepter. Atheists beware. :;):
#1024 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Any Good Artwork of Proposed HLLVs? - Yeah I like to look at big rockets » 2005-04-15 17:01:55
Today, even Boeing buys Zenit in preference to Delta.
They merely sell Delta to NASA. :;):
Edited By BWhite on 1113606156
#1025 Re: Human missions » Post central for information on CEV III - Continued from previous » 2005-04-15 11:02:59
Lunar orbit station would also be unstable, as I recall, and not easily maintained. L1 would seem the logical choice =IF= there were to be any forward base to support lunar exploration.
The ONLY reason for doing the Moon (beyond Bush said so) is to exploit lunar resources. Primarily PGM IMHO with lunar LOX exported to L1 and LEO as a minor fringe benefit.
Okay, reason number two might be to get some experience under our belt. Practice, for the main event.