First Words - an introduction and plan

Adrian · 2002-08-18 16:52:47

First Words will be New Mars' contribution towards World Space Week (WSW), which occurs from October 4th-10th. What we're going to do is to create a website in which people from across the world can tell us what they think the first words will be spoken on Mars, and let other people see and discuss their entries. In addition, we'll showcase entries from luminaries spanning the whole 'celebrity' spectrum, from SF writers to politicians, and actors to scientists. For visitors to the website who want to find out more, we'll have several original articles telling people about Mars and links to other online resources.

People will be able to submit entries in up to five different categories, and there'll be prizes available. As well as cash prizes, we'll attempt to get in-kind donations from publishers for books, and similar things. There'll be a mailing list that people can subscribe to, and they'll receive emails for each day of World Space Week.

The website will be online at least two weeks before WSW for testing, but entries will only be accepted at the start of WSW, and winners will be announced a few days after the end of the week.

New Mars is a part of the Mars Society, so this will also be a Mars Society project. Consequently, we'll make it known that these two organizations are involved with prominent logos and links.

The purpose of this project is, simply enough, to get a lot of people talking about Mars. The 'First Words' format provides a quick and compelling hook for all people, and has the potential to create a lot of fun and debate.

Over the past year, the New Mars community has grown to almost 300 dedicated users and I think we're ready to make a splash. I'm hoping that some of you will be able to volunteer your time, even if it's only for the few minutes it takes to print and send off a letter.

At the time of writing this, we've got about six weeks - not a large amount of time by any stretch, but enough to get it done. I'm going to detail specific tasks that need completing in another thread, with others containing information on template letters, press contacts and so on.

Most importantly, if anyone has a suggestion or a comment, please say it; I'm a co-ordinator, not a dictator (well, in this forum at least ).

Pat Galea · 2002-08-18 23:50:26

what they think the first words will be spoken on Mars

"Good luck, Mr. Gorsky!"

:-)

Phobos · 2002-08-19 17:35:48

Cool idea about the first words website. It'll be interesting to see what kind of spin people from different countries put on it.

Adrian · 2002-08-28 17:25:08

Until now, the First Words idea has only been circulating with the Mars Society, which is quite a sheltered environment. To make sure that it wouldn't bomb on public release, I told a mailing list I'm subbed to about it. Sure, it's an SF mailing list, but I can promise you that the people on it are otherwise normal people

Anyway, they loved it! Here's a sample of some of the ideas they had:

"Mind the.... oh grrrrreat, that's really gonna impress CNN."

"It looks like some kind of tripedal machine... OH MY GOD! NO! ARGGGHHH! <static> ...just kidding."

"Oh crap, I left the keys in it."

"What's that emblem on that hillside over there? Looks like two yellow arches..."

"Is your mike off?... Good! I can't wait to be the first man to pee on Mars!... The mike's on?!... Once again Nasa makes history."

clark · 2002-08-29 09:23:05

"Good luck, Mr. Gorsky!"

LOL! Very good Pat.

Anybody else get the refrence?

Adrian · 2002-08-29 10:12:06

I knew I recognised that quote! I had to check it up in Google to be sure though. Alas, it is an urban legend, albeit an amusing one.

Pat Galea · 2002-08-29 14:12:27

Alas, it is an urban legend, albeit an amusing one.

Indeed, but it is such a beautiful story, it really ought to be true!

Phobos · 2002-08-30 15:06:37

LOL! That's that first time I've heard about the "Mr. Gorsky" legend.

PaganToris · 2002-08-31 15:13:44

Well i like the idea of the first week words and Adrian i thnx u should make me a forum adminastrator if u want but anyways yh the words are quite nice Adrian have u ever thought of makeing a forum about pluto i thnx that it would be verry cool to talk bout pluto we can eat Cooked fish and kikc back with the Ice Eskamos ill do all the fishing but i thnx it would be kinda cool to go to pluto yes it might be a tad bit cold but isnt that why they maid Space heaters and Jakets
and also we will have Phobos do the cooking and ill season them up to makethem taste good it would be a Nice thing to go to Pluto Yes indeed it would

Phobos · 2002-08-31 22:36:35

Pagan, it seems you've been spending a little to much time around the liquor cabinet.

PaganToris · 2002-08-31 23:00:57

Well Phobos it seems as if u have been spending a bit to much around the liquor cabinet ive been spending to much time around the Fridge were all the BEER is

Scott G. Beach · 2002-09-05 13:00:22

The first person to set foot on Mars will say, "With the consent of the Peoples of the United Nations, I claim this world in the name of the Provisional Government of Mars."

The draft Constitution of the Provisional Government of Mars is appended to an essay titled "The Problem of Owning Mars" (click here).

Scott G. Beach

Phobos · 2002-09-05 21:33:23

I don't think the UN should have any moral authority to take it upon itself to select who and who may not go to Mars unless they are choosing people for specific UN project on Mars. But the whole planet should be open to everybody provided they have the means to go and once we get space elevators operational I think we'll be a lot closer to making Mars "all of mankind's." No UN permission should be needed. So I'm going to get a little nervous if the UN claims "provisional" rulership of Mars.

Scott G. Beach · 2002-09-06 00:15:47

No UN permission should be needed. So I'm going to get a little nervous if the UN claims "provisional" rulership of Mars.

Phobos:

My proposal for a Provisional Government of Mars provides that the Mars Society will function as the Provisional Government, with the endorsement of the UN. This is my suggestion for getting around the private property prohibitions in various international space treaties.

Scott

Adrian · 2002-09-06 04:31:18

Okay guys, let's take it to the Martian Politics forums please...

AltToWar · 2002-09-29 02:00:54

Another small step for man, and it's about goddamn time!

A.J.Armitage · 2002-10-02 18:53:23

"Uh, I think I forgot my line."

Palomar · 2002-10-02 19:46:03

*I know what my first words on Mars would be:

HI, BEAUTIFUL!

--Cindy

srmeaney · 2005-07-22 17:53:37

The invasion has begun?

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#1 2002-08-18 16:52:47

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#2 2002-08-18 23:50:26

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#3 2002-08-19 17:35:48

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#4 2002-08-28 17:25:08

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#5 2002-08-29 09:23:05

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#6 2002-08-29 10:12:06

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#7 2002-08-29 14:12:27

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#8 2002-08-30 15:06:37

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#9 2002-08-31 15:13:44

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#10 2002-08-31 22:36:35

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#11 2002-08-31 23:00:57

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#12 2002-09-05 13:00:22

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#13 2002-09-05 21:33:23

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#14 2002-09-06 00:15:47

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#15 2002-09-06 04:31:18

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#16 2002-09-29 02:00:54

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#17 2002-10-02 18:53:23

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#18 2002-10-02 19:46:03

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

#19 2005-07-22 17:53:37

Re: First Words - an introduction and plan

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