Comments on: Shuttle Atlantis Home! Prompts Me to Look to America’s Future … and I’m Troubled

By: Neil Conry

Neil Conry — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:50:15 +0000

Awesome article as usual, thank you for posting all this helpful stuff on a regular basis.

By: Pat Owens

Pat Owens — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:27:25 +0000

I think it may be all about “motivation.” I, too,lived through the 60s and watched every launch, and remember the feeling of pride, awe, and unity when man walked on the moon. Yes, we had the goal the Kennedy had set, but the driving force, the real motivation, was the Cold War. It all boiled down to a pissing contest with the USSR. Without the Cold War, I don’t think we’d have landed on the moon even to this day.
What we need as a country, as a world, is that kind of motivational impetus. To me it is the planetary havoc we are wreaking on our own world. The sad fact is, this planet cannot support us forever, and unless we establish at least one self sufficient human colony elswhere, sooner or later we are doomed to extinction. I’m glad to see that the U.S. apathy towards climate change, renewable resources, etc., doesn’t seem to be shared by other countries. Perhaps we can be ridiculed into caring by the rest of the world.
I can think of no more important scientific or technological motivation than the survival of the human race. If we can somehow instill the importance of that into our school system, then perhaps the next generation of leaders will be able to do what we can’t: pay attention to the most basic of instincts, survival.

By: Ted Magnuson

Ted Magnuson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:52:25 +0000

Dr Jeff, As computing and HDTV technology continue to advance at a rapid pace, as the costs of these tools drop, it is a tragedy to see the vapid use to which this resource is to often put. To further complicate progress and discovery, Instead of increasing efficiencies in healthcare, energy and the arts and sciences, we too often see fillibustering, and stalling while the last dollar is plucked from obsolete technologies. When will clearer heads prevail?

Incidentally, I understand the LCROSS probe found significant ice on the moon. Any chance this could be the start of providing life sustaining elements for that environment?

By: Doug Smith

Doug Smith — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:45:56 +0000

I teach 7th grade science and constantly stive to to bring out the innate creativity and immagination in all of my students. I also try to demonstrate a hunger for and agressiveness for learning each day. However, I feel the way the system is arranged today significantly diminishes our effectiveness. We have policy dictated to us from people who don’t even know, or understand, our children. All children are not alike…and never will be. Education should be directed from a local level on ALL matters. Presently I don’t think we are set up for this. Our leaders don’t have enough backbone to tell the State, or even leaders at the National level, when something isn’t right and isn’t working. Personally I don’t think education should be micromanaged. It would be great if we had strong leaders at the local levels, at the community level, that could direct educational matters. I think everybody would benefit…The nation, state, community, parents, students, and teachers. Just my two cents.

By: Lyle

Lyle — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:51:34 +0000

I’m optimistic about the future of space flight because of the growing interest of private businesses. Virgin Atlantic is taking reservations now for flights to low orbit. As that gains in popularity among the rich, the price will come down because other businesses will begin investing in it. The future of space flight is best left up to the free market.

By: Rachel Hughett

Rachel Hughett — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:39:20 +0000

As an elementary school science lab instructor, I strive every day to ensure that my students are receiving the instruction they need. I fought for a Promethean board in my room last year and got it. I use it every day with all of my classes from PK to 3rd. This year I introduced my second and third grade students to the Gizmos website to encourage them to use technology in their math and science experiments. I have also fought hard to bring the science fair back at my campus. We will be kicking off the process in late January despite the misgivings of some at my school. I am not alone at my campus though. Every year we introduce new technology to our campus and struggle to find the time between testing to ensure that the students are exposed to it. We have a science and technology night to showcase some of the activities that our students do all year long and to encourage our parents to get excited about what’s happening in these fields. All these things are just some of the steps that we can take to ensure the children of America are exposed daily to science and technology. I wish there was more that I could do, because I too remember the the excitement of my first shuttle launch. We must prepare to wage war against apathy and misunderstandings in regards to the benefits of studying and working in these fields. We must educate our parents and students about what they mean to our future as a planet. Without us fighting for advancement in these fields, our future is lost.

By: Neal Wiser

Neal Wiser — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:45:40 +0000

I feel your pain regarding NASA’s future. Personally, I believe that the future of the United States is intimately tied to our achievements in science and technology. These achievements are among the things that define us as a modern nation, one that inspires peoples from all nations and one that leads by example.

Unfortunately, like so many of the problems we face today, our current predicament is caused by short-sightedness and lack of courageous leadership. Joining space advocacy groups like SaveNASA (http://savenasa.ning.com/) can help by adding your voice to those who share the belief that human spaceflight is a critical endeavor.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:49:36 +0000

I love the post! I find it quite sad that we accomplished something 40 years ago that we cannot accomplish today. I think this may stem from increased lobbying in Washington. Our politicians could care less about funding something that doesn’t directly help them get elected. It is much better for their careers to add earmarks for private industries that give them campaign money. It is a very sad truth and I doubt it will change anytime soon.

By: DrJeff

DrJeff — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:21:00 +0000

This is in reply to Heather's comments- I'm not sure why what I said in this post seems egotistical. I'm an American. I'm an American taxpayer. America has a space program. America has been a leader in both space exploration, and more broadly, science and technology. So let me lament about issues that directly impact the future of my country in the hope that what I write can have some positive impact. And please know that I do not do this in a bubble. My view has been and always will be global. I am worried about the health of the planet, and ALL our children. PLEASE SEE THIS. I view exploration as something that is innately human, and something that knows no national boundaries. PLEASE SEE THIS. But I am an American, and I hope that those beyond our shores recognize that there are millions of Americans that support global views and a global vision, and that all Americans MUST NOT BE JUDGED THROUGH THE PRISM of what comes out of the White House and Congress - regardless of the Administration in office. To do that is naive. For the record, I was proud to vote for Barack Obama, particularly for his global vision. And I fully respect the opinions of those Americans who did not vote for him. But let me also be clear here as well-AMERICANS VOTED HIM INTO OFFICE, not the rest of the world. So Heather, please don't lecture Americans about when we should have addressed the issues I wrote about in this post. Many of us Americans have been REALLY trying for "the past 10 years". HERE is what I've been doing for 25 Years. Don't shoot the messenger.

By: DrJeff

DrJeff — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:55:53 +0000

I’m posting this for Heather Burton
heatheralisonburton@gmail.com

Hello Jeff
Thanks for the opportunity to share in your debate.
With kind regards
Heather

Here is my reply – I have answered various of your points so I have made my replies obvious.

Dr. Jeff – Won’t such action surely help erode our larger ‘brand’ as a leader and innovator in science and technology?
HeatheratSussex – It is possible to continue to lead and innovate in science and technology without leading and innovating in ‘EVERY’ discipline. Are you sure this isn’t just ego speaking?

Dr. Jeff – Are we taking science and technology education seriously? Are PARENTS taking science and technology education seriously? Do Americans know that our national prowess in science and technology is about the future of our children, our standard of living, and the American dream?

HeatheratSussex – How do you educate the great uneducated in subjects that are perceived to be difficult? How much easier it is to learn about law or media, where the rewards are perceived to be realised so much sooner for less effort.

The German education for physicists can last up to 11 years before they receive their doctorate. Why should someone with flair and acumen for learning bother to study a difficult subject for 11 years when the rewards are so poor?

It is not just Americans you should be worrying about; all societies are facing the same ennui and apathy.

Dr. Jeff – It’s about the science and technology required to address global problems from energy, to climate change, to managing limited resources in the midst of growing populations.

HeatheratSussex – I agree this is something that America should be addressing – but should have been addressing for the past 10 years, not just now that Obama has arrived. Unfortunately the Bush years will be seen as those which stunted science and innovation, which pooh-poohed climate change and exploited limited resources. The global perception of America is one of not caring for the rest of the world, the ‘we-are-alright-Jack’ syndrome. Time to be a little more modest and caring, a little less egotistical and dominating.

Dear Dr. Jeff – I don’t think this is necessarily what you want to hear, but it is worth my saying it just the same.