Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Our Man In Black

Posted by timothy on from the don't-trust-'em dept.

bot writes "A recent Slate article covers the onerous responsibilites of the Planetary Protection Officer. He is tasked with preventing contamination of earth by alien organisms, and 'forward contamination' (contamination of other planets with earth germs). There is also a published protocol (PDF link) for avoiding Martian bugs."

9 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Ok... by cybermace5 · · Score: 5, Funny

    That would be the job to have, if only for the right to list "Planetary Protection Office" on your resume.

    --
    ...
  2. But... by TexasDex · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...it's too late! The ailiens are already here! See?! They left this mark on me! I must do their bidding...

    --
    The Cheese Stands Alone.
  3. You'd think I'd learn... by ibullard · · Score: 5, Funny

    First I find out that being a spy isn't all about gadgets and women. Then I find out being an archaeologist isn't all about running from traps and nazis'. Now I find out that protecting the earth from alien life forms doesn't involve talking to alien dogs and bug guns.

    WHY DO YOU LIE TO ME, HOLLYWOOD!!!
    *sob*

  4. I want this job by unformed · · Score: 5, Funny

    What better way to pick up chicks than "It is my civil duty to protect you from alien lifeforms."

  5. Avoiding??? by El_Smack · · Score: 5, Funny

    "protocol for avoiding Martian bugs"?!?

    Didn't NASA just spend a couple hundred million bucks trying to *FIND* Martian Bugs? Crap, when a few ice crystals were found, JPL wet itself. Had we found an actual bug, who knows what kind of party would have been thrown?

    --


    There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
  6. Forget the Mars mission by xs650 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Rummel has two primary tasks: to ensure that outbound spacecraft aren't contaminated with biological material from Earth "

    Humans are biological material. So much for the manned mission to Mars.

  7. The Reason For Lies by notcreative · · Score: 5, Funny
    I think Mr. Nimoy said it best:
    The following tale of alien encounters is true. And by true, I mean false. It's all lies, but they're entertaining lies, and in the end, isn't that the real truth? The answer...is 'no.' - Leonard Nimoy
  8. Disaster by Luguber123 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Imagine what he's got to do to get fired from such a position.

  9. Great job title, but bad for traffic stops... by Sam+Nitzberg · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would feel bad for this guy whenever he gets stopped by a cop......

    Cop: Are you are aware you were doing 45 in a 40 - zone?

    The NASA guy: ummm. no, but if you say so...

    Cop: Where were you going ?

    The NASA guy: home - I'm going home from work

    Cop: So, where do you work?

    The NASA guy: I'm the planetary protection officer - it's my job to protect the earth from interplanetary biologicals and contamination

    Cop: OK buddy, we're going downtown....