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NASA Seeking Innovative Ideas from Public
Mike Peel writes "Science Blog is reporting that NASA is seeking proposals 'for creating and managing innovative activities, events, products, services, or other types of formal or informal education methods for the purpose of disseminating information nationally about NASA's projects and programs.'" Sadly I don't think simply providing them with a list of people you want shot into space counts.
putting up some kind of special signs - along the major roads, perhaps, or on buildings. Then you print some really _huge_ images to put on those sign things; some inspirational image, like the space shuttle and an astronaut against the earth seen from space. And then, to cap it off, print some short text, something kind of punchy and really easy to remember, on top. You know, something like "The Shuttle - Don't Leave Home Without It", or "Call NASA For a Good Time". Perhaps with an URL printed small so people can go find out more.
You know, I bet that if you paid a few magazines or newspapers enough, they'll be sure to agree to print the same images too. And maybe do the same for some television show - I bet _that_ will really make people sit up and take notice!
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
If I had such a mechanism I'm likely to want to employ it first in the commercial field - since any idea is going to get copied pretty soon after it first appears. Thus even with IP control over the concept, NASA is going to be way down my list. Double that because there's no prize money involved, only cost.
For instance, I might suggest allowing people to name newly discovered stars, nebula, galaxies, craters, etc. However I'm better off just doing it anyway and selling the certificates at $10 a shot.
Mind you, on the other hand it might be worthwhile keeping an eye on submissions in case there is something that comes out that you can use in more financially interesting ways.
Most people are aware of many NASA space programs. Hardly anyone appears to be aware of NASA's aeronautics programs. You get the occasional show on the Discovery Channel but that's it. I liked the one about control an aircraft in three axes using thrust only (the project was inspired by the Sioux City DC-10 crash).
Along those lines, here's a specific idea: create a reality TV show that documents the fierce competition among potential astronaut candidates. Get people to grow familiar with and look up to astronauts once more. Show people first-hand what risky, intense, and inherently dramatic business the space program is. That's what gets people interested.
Moderator hint: a comment is neither "Flamebait" nor "Troll" if it is true.
When I worked there it was an amazing culture of self-absorbed, self-agrandizing, self-promoting bullshit artists, retired military, political appointees, and rednecks that has probably ever been assembled. It might have been funny if it weren't so painful.
NASA should send a "Highlights" DVD to every American citizen every year, right before Christmas. Which includes a free login to a NASA video site. And a summary of the ROI on NASA expenses, as well as its tiny percentage of the budget.
I've told that to every NASA and aerospace exec I've ever met. Now I'll use the webform, too.
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make install -not war
I didn't truly appreciate how hard it is to get into orbit until I played with that freeware Orbiter game (heard about it on slashdot).
Granted, the geekiness of just flying spaceships around is not exactly compelling next to the current group of shoot 'em ups. The trick would be making something that was interesting and compelling. Get some good eye candy and the right balance of 'real' and 'fun'. Maybe there are some multiplayer possibilities.
Think of it as "today's astronauts" instead of "todays army".
Considering the problems with oil and personal transportation needs, how about building that Jetson's flying car we were all promised we would be driving in the 21st century.
Oh, and robot maids would be nice too...
I lost my sig...
Put the shuttles in museums, I'd pay for a tour.
Work with the Russians to contiune support of the ISS.
Pour all new research money into developing the technologies to build the space elevator. This is the only way in our reach that can make space cost effective. We'll need much longer carbon nanotubes, a good solution for climbing the cable, and a way to bring an appropriate anchor into orbit. Get to it guys I'm getting old fast and I want a ride once you've finnished.
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Actually, the $1:DVD cost is probably right, if they mailed it in a paper wrapper with instructions. And though they'd probably have to mail only one to each household, which is about 113M. NASA's 2005 budget was over $16.2B. A $113M expense would be under 0.7% (<<0.005% of the Federal budget), which would deliver promotion of the rest of the budget's product to every citizen it's working for. Which would likely increase support for bigger NASA budgets and better national programs, reflecting Americans' actual prioritization of NASA work among all government work. And a Netflix type of distribution contract at competitive bid (including the USPS) would invest in American info distribution infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Iraq War has cost at least $300B, and will likely cost at least $1T, not to mention diverting lots of other government productivity from other services. But Americans get to see the "best" parts of the Iraq War on TV, so it gets lots of promotion, while most of NASA's valuable and popular work happens in the dark.
So thanks for recognizing the thrifty economics of a program to educate every American about NASA's work. Your support for my NASA career is thoughtful, but certainly overkill. NASA needs more educated and communicative citizens like me, rather than extra on-budget staff. If they can perform promotion like the one I suggested, with such great ROI, in keeping with NASA tradition.
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make install -not war