A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

Dayton3 · 2002-07-02 20:57:04

Hows this for a lobbying effort for Mars Direct.

Why not have members of the Mars Society (I don't know how many members there are) each mail a copy of Zubrins "The Case For Mars" (along with a brief letter asking for Congressional support) to their Congressman and Senators. Plus a dozen or so key people in the Executive Branch (President, Vice President and et cetera).

Each person in the Mars Society can probably afford a couple of copies of "The Case For Mars".

Alot of them would be discarded. Alot would be of little notice. But some Congressman WOULD read them. Some congressional aids would read them.

And the simultaneous arrival of 5,500 copies of the same book all arriving in Congressional offices would definitely get peoples attention and bring alot of attention to Dr. Zubrins plan.

Palomar · 2002-07-03 10:07:41

Each person in the Mars Society can probably afford a couple of copies of "The Case For Mars".
Alot of them would be discarded. Alot would be of little notice. But some Congressman WOULD read them. Some congressional aids would read them.
And the simultaneous arrival of 5,500 copies of the same book all arriving in Congressional offices would definitely get peoples attention and bring alot of attention to Dr. Zubrins plan.

*I think it's a marvellous idea, and I'll consider doing it.

I wish the Mars Society would draw up and publish a pamphlet, based on "The Case for Mars." It could be, say, a 7-page booklet with the basics outlined as concisely but fully as possible, a few illustrations, the org's web site address, etc. These could be purchased in bulk by Mars Society members and distributed. It would just very handy if, say, someone sitting beside you on the airplane trip expressed interest [perhaps you're reading Zubrin's book or reading at the MS -- or related -- web site/message boards on your laptop]; simply ask if they'd like a pamphlet explaining more, and give it to them if they answer yes. These pamphlets would also be easier, and more affordable to many people, to mail to governmental officials.

Just a thought.

--Cindy

Phobos · 2002-07-03 18:40:11

I wish the Mars Society would draw up and publish a pamphlet, based on "The Case for Mars." It could be, say, a 7-page booklet with the basics outlined as concisely but fully as possible, a few illustrations, the org's web site address, etc. These could be purchased in bulk by Mars Society members and distributed. It would just very handy if, say, someone sitting beside you on the airplane trip expressed interest [perhaps you're reading Zubrin's book or reading at the MS -- or related -- web site/message boards on your laptop]; simply ask if they'd like a pamphlet explaining more, and give it to them if they answer yes. These pamphlets would also be easier, and more affordable to many people, to mail to governmental officials.

The Mars Society might be able to increase its membership rolls and financial well-being by engaging in some other publicity stunts to. Maybe they could rent a few billboards and advertise. Considering all the porn that exists on all those billboards between L.A. and Phoenix on interstate 10, a Mars Society billboard would stick out like a sore thumb and would probably get noticed more. Hmm, how should such a billboard be designed?

Palomar · 2002-07-04 11:56:42

Maybe they could rent a few billboards and advertise...Hmm, how should such a billboard be designed?

Black background.

Light sources on both bottom and top of billboard.

Color photo of Mars in the center ::or:: a dual image of Mars, i.e. one photo of the Valles Marineris Hemisphere and another of the Syrtis Major Hemisphere side-by-side.

I suppose we'd get in trouble using "Got Mars?" -- because of the milk industry ads -- so how's about "Want Mars?" in huge red letters above or below the photo(s) of Mars.

Include snail-mail and website addresses.

Running around the border of the billboard have representations of the Flags of each nation with a Mars Society branch, with the name of each nation beneath its respective flag.

Perhaps at the bottom have something like "First Landing on Mars by 2015!"

Canth · 2002-07-04 12:27:11

I like the pamphlet idea. You could actually make pamphlets specifically geared to politicians as well as the ordinary public. In addition a simple easy to use polished website with good explanations of the marssociety and its various goals and projects would be very good for attracting new members/converts. The current website is mediocre and likely drives many people away. The whole public outreach of the marssociety could be much much better. Pamphlets and posters in public libraries, museums, etc. will gain supporters. The case for mars needs some revision as well to reflect the current situation. The pace of space activists needs to go from sluggish to frenzied. Lots of activity draws people in and gains attention. Currently the marssociety is sponsering four major research projects and a yearly conference.This is a good accomplishment but we cannot take time to appreciate it when we should have had men on mars before the founding of the marssociety. We have a need for growth which is not being fullfilled.

Palomar · 2002-07-04 13:11:51

*There's also the option of buying Mars Society T-shirts at the "Mall" on the web site. I tried to access it twice today, with an error message. When I first joined the Mars Society, they also had pins for sale. Members wearing a simple pin or T-shirt is free advertising for the Society.

--Cindy

MS member since 6/01

Phobos · 2002-07-04 18:31:52

Black background.
Light sources on both bottom and top of billboard.
Color photo of Mars in the center ::or:: a dual image of Mars, i.e. one photo of the Valles Marineris Hemisphere and another of the Syrtis Major Hemisphere side-by-side.
I suppose we'd get in trouble using "Got Mars?" -- because of the milk industry ads -- so how's about "Want Mars?" in huge red letters above or below the photo(s) of Mars.
Include snail-mail and website addresses.
Running around the border of the billboard have representations of the Flags of each nation with a Mars Society branch, with the name of each nation beneath its respective flag.
Perhaps at the bottom have something like "First Landing on Mars by 2015!"

Not bad ideas. I might have to try out my graphic design skills (if you can call them that ) sometime and do an impression. I like the idea with the flags, it adds a kind of sophistication to it I think.

Adrian · 2002-07-05 19:25:05

Great stuff guys, but don't ignore previous work done by this by the Mars Society, notably Operation Congress and Operation President. No sense to have an unnecessary duplication of efforts or any kind of conflicting outreach projects.

Strange and mysterious ideas are brewing around in my head about some kind of New Mars projects or events... hmm... I will have to think about this.

Canth · 2002-07-06 22:51:54

Good luck with your ideas, I think that the newmars members will support you in anything you suggest. I suggest a nice looking easy to use website explaining the goals Ideas etc of the mars society. This would be geared towards the curious to attract and draw attention and interest. It could be a branch of new mars. I find the new mars website much less intimidating than the mars society wesite if you know what I mean. The general public outreach of the mars society seems to be mediocre, with new mars and doctor zubrins books the crown jewels of the effort. Still it could be better.

I have been thinking if Doctor Zubrin took it in his heart to release the case for mars free to all via the internet it could go a long way towards helping the mars society. I don't know how he or his publisher would feel about that but it is worth a try.

Echus_Chasma · 2002-12-15 18:30:15

A thing about politicians, You can't send them one form with thousands of signatures, because its easy to stick your signature on a piece of paper with a letter some has already written. Like I was in England on holiday and this dude came up with a signature thing in the streets asking people if they want to sign a partition to release a random prisioner who was apperently innocent. I thought what the hell and signed it.

It is a hell of alot more effective get everyone to write letters that are different from each other and send thousands of them off.

soph · 2002-12-15 21:23:48

a simplification of the site would be ridiculously easy. make easy to read buttons (news, the plan, contact, job opportunities, involvement, store, etc.) on a sidebar, with major news stories on the front. a nicer backround, say blue on white, or something like that. a picture of mars at the top right.

a chatroom would be very nice. maybe link directly to these forums.

all this is so easy that i could probably do it, and im only a sophmore in high school. granted, i have more computer knowledge than most adults (ive built a computer from parts, installed an OS and all major programs in 8 hours), but its nothing that an amateur couldnt do with frontpage and an hour or two. hell, if somebody wants, i could code a sample in html.

TJohn · 2002-12-16 12:00:15

I say jump on it, soph! But you probably need to get permission from The Mars Society first. Good Luck!!

soph · 2002-12-16 14:05:21

give me a week and ill have a homepage ready (without links and all, just what it would look like. links are easy to do).

soph · 2002-12-16 15:32:28

ive got a little something done on word if anybody wants to see it. given another day or two i could have it much nicer. what i did is the basic format...imho its a lot more friendly, and less overwhelming.

soph · 2002-12-16 18:21:18

http://www.angelfire.com/space/zentrand … ociety.htm

if anybody cares to see my preliminary work.

if anybody likes it, i could expand on it

netscape doesnt like it, but ie does. netscape is kinda picky ???

Echus_Chasma · 2002-12-17 16:03:27

Looking good.

soph · 2002-12-17 17:23:07

word code...well lets just say i have to translate it to "clean code." thatll take me about a week. then i can start to expand on it.

Dook · 2004-01-15 14:30:25

Seems to me there are some very good ideas here. I think the book mailing is a little too costly. How about pamphlets instead? Should be easy to have a few thousand or so nice pamphlets made up with the Mars Society logo and a short plan of attack for putting humans on mars in 10 years. Maybe even have a picture of The Case for Mars book (publisher might contribute a few penny's to the effort) on the back or somewhere? We could then mail them to members of congress and other leaders. Not sure how many Mars Society members would contribute but a few dollars per person may just cover it. Now is the time for action since mars is getting attention.

Actually I just noticed Mars Society has a Graphics and Productions Task Force with the responsibility for making brochures. Gary Hollingshead (garyah@imagineering-usa.com) is the contact.

prometheusunbound · 2004-01-26 09:40:17

Seems to me there are some very good ideas here. I think the book mailing is a little too costly. How about pamphlets instead? Should be easy to have a few thousand or so nice pamphlets made up with the Mars Society logo and a short plan of attack for putting humans on mars in 10 years. Maybe even have a picture of The Case for Mars book (publisher might contribute a few penny's to the effort) on the back or somewhere? We could then mail them to members of congress and other leaders. Not sure how many Mars Society members would contribute but a few dollars per person may just cover it. Now is the time for action since mars is getting attention.

Books are too long to grab the attention of the congressmen and I think most would look at the cover and have the preconception that it is the writings of a cult. Congress does get tons of writings from cults looking for support. I don't think we would like to make that sort of impression, and I doubt a phamplet would explain enough what mars direct is. I think the focus should be on respected scientests, as they are more acceptive of such a scientific argurement whereas polticains are swayed more by poltical argrumentum. Polticains will listen to scientests en masse if the scientests are convinced. If we go to the "Big" scientests, we might be able to put enough visions of glory and sugarplums in their heads to fight for it. . . .

el scorcho · 2005-03-05 00:47:27

*Peter Griffin laugh*

You know congressmen can't read! They've only recently been conditioned to drool at the sound of an entitlement (although beltway psychologists have made great strides in teaching a few of them simple sign language). :laugh:

In all seriousness, though, I do think there needs to be some sort of mailing to Congress, although the whole Case for Mars book would be likely to fall on deaf ears. These guys are constantly being bombarded by lobbyists and special interest groups, and they probably get very bored very quickly. If they see a big thick book sitting on their desk full of technical mathematical and engineering jargon, they won't give it a second thought and they sure won't invest any time in sitting down and reading it.

What we need to send is a bright, colorful pamphlet they can stuff in their jacket pocket and glance over on their way between sessions. It should display CG renderings of Mars Direct and/or Mars Semi-Direct, FMARS and MDRS photos, as well as quotes from NASA officials as to its feasibility and a very prominent, very optimistic cost estimate--$20 billion over ten years or something on that order.

But they can't do anything if there's nothing for them to act upon. Therefore, we find several prominent members of both parties in both houses who have expressed some support for space exploration. We then convince those individuals why they should introduce an exploration bill, which can be supported in the pamphlets.

Hey, it's worth a shot.

Rxke · 2005-03-05 02:26:06

What about that film/documentary that's being finished right now? It looked very promising to me, I'm talking about the one discussed http://www.newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1653]here

el scorcho · 2005-03-05 12:26:07

Posted on Mar. 05 2005, 03:26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What about that film/documentary that's being finished right now? It looked very promising to me, I'm talking about the one discussed here

That looks like a very interesting film to me. I watched the trailer two or three times the other day. Does anyone know anything about the scale of release? Will it be a nationwide theatrical release or something more along the lines of an online dvd purchase?

Whether it's done nationally/internationally or just sent to the Discovery Channel and played on various associated networks like TLC, it will bring new people to the Mars movement. People will want to hear about humans on another planet after all these years of rovers going less than one kilometer from their landing site and humans stuck in orbiting tin cans with supply shortages. ???

New Mars Forums

Announcement

#1 2002-07-02 20:57:04

Re: A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

#2 2002-07-03 10:07:41

Re: A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

#3 2002-07-03 18:40:11

Re: A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

#4 2002-07-04 11:56:42

Re: A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

#5 2002-07-04 12:27:11

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#6 2002-07-04 13:11:51

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#7 2002-07-04 18:31:52

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#8 2002-07-05 19:25:05

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#9 2002-07-06 22:51:54

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#10 2002-12-15 18:30:15

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#11 2002-12-15 21:23:48

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#12 2002-12-16 12:00:15

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#17 2002-12-17 17:23:07

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#18 2004-01-15 14:30:25

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#19 2004-01-26 09:40:17

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#20 2005-03-05 00:47:27

Re: A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

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Re: A Mass Mailing of "The Case For Mars" - Mass Mailing to Congressman

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