The future of NASA

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Yeah, I really don't know much of anything about what science our gov't bankrolls.

Originally Posted by Alex

But it is also saddening that CP and others look at the manned space program and thinks "why doesn't the government do more science funding." It makes me wonder if manned space flight promotes actual science funding or instead gets the government off the hook to a degree from funding real science since we're all oohing about people living in low earth orbit for a few months at a time and the beautiful photos of a shuttle launch against a pre-dawn sky.

I agree with this. Perhaps if instead of spending billions on sending people into space, they could hire some decent PR firms to educate the public on what real science the gov't is promoting, and make it palatable and exciting? I understand that "pure" science is a hard sell, but the more practical stuff should be marketable.

I suspect that many of these agencies don't actually want too much light of day on their projects, because if the teabaggers hear about them they are going to start screaming about tax money being wasted.

The more I think of it, the more the idea of gov't PR in all areas sounds smart, especially in an era of supposedly increasing transparency. Along with visibility comes the requirement of relateability. If our society is truly moving in a progressive direction, it needs a bit of polish to get people on board.