Recent American attitudes about NASA and space exploration

[swampyankee]

I run polls on my blog and I can't help but notice a serious bias in favour of space exploration when it comes to tech minded people.

It appears I can't ask questions about space exploration without the bias leaking in. However, I can run a poll on "what is you favourite operating system" or "what is your favourite browser", which do seem to work out fine.

That is odd.

I worked in the market research (polling) industry; in general, polls where somebody is asked to answer a question posted on a normal website, like a blog or this forum, are considered highly unreliable, due to a very strong selection bias. The industry -- or at least the company for which I worked -- tries very hard to avoid biased samples, as some quite famous errors have resulted.

[Zvezdichko]

interesting back of envelope calculation
Britain public spending on Olympics currently projected at 9 bn sterling
UK has held 3 games over last 100 yrs, so lets say it has spent 27bn on such

Britains current annual contribution to ESA - about 270 million sterling
Project that over 100 years ...well, you do the math

When you make a silly argument (comparison) its all too easy to shoot it down in flames. Better off just not making silly arguments

Oh, come on. You haven't been a member for 100 years, right?

It's still a big number because you give the money for the games ONCE. Or perhaps within 3-4 years. And yet when we talk about the global contribution of your country you haven't had an interplanetary lander since 2003.

[mutleyeng]

Oh, come on. You haven't been a member for 100 years, right?

It's still a big number because you give the money for the games ONCE. Or perhaps within 3-4 years. And yet when we talk about the global contribution of your country you haven't had an interplanetary lander since 2003.

and if you wanted to make an argument that Britain should contribute more so to have a greater global contribution to planetary sciences, that is entirely reasonable line of argument. Coming up with how much people spend on wine instead, IMO is not

[Swift]

I compare different things just to show that many people are in fact limousine liberals.

"Limousine liberals" is considered a derogatory term. Please don't use it and please keep this conversation polite and non-personal.

[Zvezdichko]

and if you wanted to make an argument that Britain should contribute more so to have a greater global contribution to planetary sciences, that is entirely reasonable line of argument. Coming up with how much people spend on wine instead, IMO is not

Then we agree.

[Swift]

OK. I accept your criticism that I didn't do any research. Let's bow to the almighty Mr. Garrison who knows about everything:

The rude comments in Space Exploration are entirely too common. We will start handing out infractions until people learn to behave.

[Garrison]

and if you wanted to make an argument that Britain should contribute more so to have a greater global contribution to planetary sciences, that is entirely reasonable line of argument. Coming up with how much people spend on wine instead, IMO is not

Of course Britain is contributing to Planetary science in other ways:

http://www.e2v.com/news/e2v-imaging-...ssfully-lands/

[Ara Pacis]

Zvezdichko, since you're not in the US and I assume don't pay US taxes to support NASA, have you considered donating money? Or do your taxes/donations go to the ESA and support NASA that way? It's not an argument, I really want to know where you're coming from and why.

[Zvezdichko]

Zvezdichko, since you're not in the US and I assume don't pay US taxes to support NASA, have you considered donating money? Or do your taxes/donations go to the ESA and support NASA that way? It's not an argument, I really want to know where you're coming from and why.

No, I'm Bulgarian and my taxes go to the local space institute and (hopefully) the upcoming joining of ESA. As a co-founder of our local Mars Society I give money to this organization.

I would gladly donate money to NASA if possible - just to support all these cool missions!

[Ara Pacis]

No, I'm Bulgarian and my taxes go to the local space institute and (hopefully) the upcoming joining of ESA. As a co-founder of our local Mars Society I give money to this organization.

I would gladly donate money to NASA if possible - just to support all these cool missions!

I wonder if an international society to accept and pass on donation would help or if it'd be allowed (or if it's already being done).

The funny thing about taxes is that people will often pay more if it's their choice but will gripe if they don't have a choice. If, as someone mentioned earlier, that Americans only paid $7 apiece for the Curiosity mission, then I suspect that most people would either gladly (or more likely without a second thought) increase that donation to $10. I think there's a lot that can be done to incentivize funding without privatizing NASA.

[Garrison]

I wonder if an international society to accept and pass on donation would help or if it'd be allowed (or if it's already being done).

The funny thing about taxes is that people will often pay more if it's their choice but will gripe if they don't have a choice. If, as someone mentioned earlier, that Americans only paid $7 apiece for the Curiosity mission, then I suspect that most people would either gladly (or more likely without a second thought) increase that donation to $10. I think there's a lot that can be done to incentivize funding without privatizing NASA.

I think it also comes down to how the questions are asked. $2.3billion is a lot of money(though not in relation to the total US budget obviously) and I think there a a sort of 'sticker shock' when people hear those sorts of numbers, ask people if they would be willing to donate $10 of their taxes to a mission like Curiosity and I think the answers would be much more positive.

[mutleyeng]

we can all dp our bit within our own boarders.
The planetary society has been working with roscosmos, and id imagine a Bulgarian branch of that society can help harbour a good working relationship. Put pressure on our own govts, bring the russians in to make sure exomars happens. Its that kind of thing we should be focusing on

ETA - sorry, you said Mars society not Planetary Society - me bad

[LoneTree1941]

we can all dp our bit within our own boarders.
The planetary society has been working with roscosmos, and id imagine a Bulgarian branch of that society can help harbour a good working relationship. Put pressure on our own govts, bring the russians in to make sure exomars happens. Its that kind of thing we should be focusing on

I've been a Planetary Society member since 1981; it feels good to know I've had my name planted on Mars and several missions to the outer planets. I hope everybody will join. As a member you receive a bimonthly Planetary Report from the society, about 20 pages, that's quite good with some excellent photographs and articles on future plans and involvement.

[JeDi]

Our goal should be a starting point, not an ending.

[Imagine the clapping smiley here.]

Wise words worth quoting every now and then!