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Become the Fifth Space Tourist

Posted by kdawson on from the getting-high dept.

MattSparkes writes "There have been four space tourists so far. You could become the fifth — even if you aren't a dot-com millionaire. New Scientist is running a competition to send one person on a sub-orbital flight, 62 miles above the Earth. All you have to do is write 250 words on what the best ever patented invention is. Personally I think it has to be the Levitationarium." Of course if you win you'll probably have to pay the taxes.

15 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Only for UK residents by lecithin · · Score: 4, Informative

    Terms and Conditions

    http://www.winatriptospace.co.uk/blogs/patent/tand c.html

    1. This competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over who is ordinarily resident in the UK except for employees of Reed Business Information Limited, Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited or Space Adventures Ltd and their immediate families. For guidance on what 'ordinarily resident' means see

    www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cbtmanual/cbtm10020.htm.

    --
    It could be worse, it could be Monday.
  2. Brits Only! by tverbeek · · Score: 4, Informative

    Note: This contest is only open to residents of the UK.

    So no need to worry about the IRS demanding a share... just Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

    --
    http://alternatives.rzero.com/
    1. Re:Brits Only! by julesh · · Score: 4, Informative

      So no need to worry about the IRS demanding a share... just Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

      Fortunately for us Brits, prize winnings are tax exempt.

    2. Re:Brits Only! by Deekin_Scalesinger · · Score: 2, Informative

      Believe it or not, it is true. If you win a car in a church raffle in the US, you must pay applicable taxes on the prize. Sucks, but it's the truth :(

      --
      "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
  3. Best Patent Ever by eldavojohn · · Score: 2, Funny

    It would probably have to go to Edward L. Van Halen's patent awarded in 1987. You see, fig. 1 just can't be beat.

    Well, now I'm torn between that and the "The ornamental design for a unisex short with reversible condom, as shown.." After all, some of us are so busy with life that we don't have time to stop and take out a condom and put it on when we're about to have sex. For the promiscuous person on the go!

    --
    My work here is dung.
  4. Easy by Soporific · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The best invention is probably modern plumbing. Before that disease was much more rampant. Not only that, it gave everyone a throne of their own to feel like a king on!

    ~S

  5. Sliced Bread by Dr.+Eggman · · Score: 4, Funny

    There can be no question that sliced bread is the greatest invention of all time: it is the yardstick by which all inventions have since been measured.

    --
    Demented But Determined.
    1. Re:Sliced Bread by Trivial_Zeros · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'd say the greatest invention is the yardstick. It's the best invention since sliced bread!

  6. They're asking for patented ones... by Svartalf · · Score: 2, Informative

    And it's a tough call- there's so many to choose from.

    Phonograph (Edison)
    Light Bulb (Edison)
    AC Power System (Tesla)
    Remote Control System (Tesla)
    Bladeless Turbine (Tesla)
    Steam Engine (Watt)
    Hot Air Engine (Stirling)

    And so forth...

    Each of the above has had an impact or will have an impact on all of our lives in a very major way. It's a shame, really, that they're limiting the competition to UK citizens.

    --
    I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
    1. Re:They're asking for patented ones... by xoyoyo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There are, especially as:

      Thomas Savery invented the Steam Engine, Joseph Swan invented the light bulb and Edison only invented half the phonograph, the french having figured out the recording part.

      Perhaps a more useful 250 word essay would be on how the patent system enshrines the myth of the individual genius, when in fact technology moves forwards by little increments.

  7. The Wheel by Toutatis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's one of the best inventions of mankind and it was actually patented.

  8. The greatest invention, in my opinion by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'd have to say it is "One Click Shopping" patented by Amazon.com. Truly, the greatest invention since this one.

    --
    It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
  9. Fist Say: by Fist!+Of!+Death! · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah ok - but what is there to do there?

    --
    Nothing witty
  10. Gah! by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I hate marketing. Suborbital is NOT SPACE TOURISM! The other four space tourists entered orbit -- a controlled entry into space, and stayed there. A suborbital trip is a rocket ride. Fun, yes, but not space travel.

    --
    Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
  11. oooh! by tuxette · · Score: 2, Funny

    I better make sure my Multi-Pass is up to date!

    --
    People say I'm crazy, I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...