Admission

[susandennis]

I have never been interested in or curious about the space program. There, I've said it. In the early days, with the rest of the nation, I watched men (yeah, then it was mostly) in funny suits take off for the wild where ever. I watched but I didn't care and, honestly, I still don't and now I don't even watch.

Until there is decent shopping out there...

And I think that's it for me. I cannot relate. Honestly it's kind of like car racing to me. All testosterone and speed with no destination.

Yeah, I know wonderful things have come from the space program - bla bla bla. But, also a lot o' money's been put into those funny looking outfits. I'm ok with out riding with the Russians.

I don't have to be smart and intelligent about every single thing. I can be pretty about some.

Comments

[johncomic.livejournal.com]

Well, this is one of those areas where we differ -- I am a total space geek. For me it's not about testosterone and speed -- it's about the marvels of science and sense of wonder and magical gosh-wow and all that...

[susandennis]

It's also very interesting to me that so very many of my friends feel just like you do. I rarely ever admit to my agnosticism.

[johncomic.livejournal.com]

I accept you nonetheless. :)

[susandennis]

And I appreciate that!

[zimzat.livejournal.com]

While I'm fascinated with space travel, love shows like Star Trek (some of them, anyway), and look forward to going out and doing it ourselves (space exploration, that is)... I've become very jaded about the possibilities. We've put ourselves on the moon how many years ago now, and we still haven't managed to do it again? Totally lame. Anything they've announced regarding NASA has been lame in comparison, and the big hoopla about the last shuttle just puts a nail in the coffin that I just don't care about them anymore. Let private entities handle that from now on.

actually, you may really be smart about this one

[henare.livejournal.com]

each shuttle launch (like, the one that just happened) costs NASA $1.5 *billion* dollars. until lately, we used to do one of these every few weeks. think of all the shopping that could do ...

[i'm a fence-sitter: i think some good has come out of the space program, but there has to be a happy middle place where we can have some cool science with some cost savings ... ]

[howeird]

I'll have to post something on my LJ about my love/hate relationship with NASA and the Congress which refuses to adequately fund it. But to comment on yours, I think most of America agrees with you. It does look like boys (and tomboys) playing with Things That Go Boom. NASA has had no clear direction for 35 years.

[kyrielle]

To me, it's not the speed or the racing. It's the hope, the dream, the "someday we may be more, if we keep reaching".

And partly, I think, it's just that I grew up on it. I was 6 when the first shuttle launched. Sometimes, it's just what you grow up with - and I grew up with the sense of wonder and hope and expectation. I loved the science and the possibility, and how it dovetailed with the science fiction I enjoyed.

I hope we'll continue reaching for space. But, while I'm sad to see the shuttle program end - it is, after all, what I grew up with - we couldn't keep it going and reach in a different way. And while we've gained a lot and learned a lot, at some point, it's time to say "this is more of a dead end than a path now" - and I'm willing to accept that, perhaps, now was the time for the shuttles.

But I think I'll always thrill to see a shuttle rising, even if it's only going to be old videos now. "3...2...1...liftoff!"

[jadeejf.livejournal.com]

I feel similarly, though I don't voice it because I have a good friend who works (worked?) at NASA. I just don't get it.