NASA restores some astrobiology funds? Options

[Guest_BruceMoomaw_*]

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1106

No word on HOW he'll restore them, though -- or how much.

[nprev]

[RANT MODE]

I hate to sound all starry-eyed, idealistic, and unrealistic....but, dammit, why does science (defined in this tirade as pure research for the sake of acquiring abstract knowledge that invariably proves serendipitous) always have to fight for its very existence???

I think Sagan had the right idea: educate the public & thereby align priorities in public spending. I know that Bruce & other science journalists are doing their level best, and God knows we need them to keep on keepin' on, but we as a community need a charismatic figure of some sort or another marketing hook, distasteful as it may seem. To paraphrase the late & great: Who (or what) will speak for UMSF? Any takers? Any ideas??

[/RANT MODE]...mostly.

[mars loon]

I do extensive public outreach to educate the public exactly as you describe, more then 8 different venues in March alone. I can say first hand that the public of all ages does respond positively

many are listed here:
http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=1972

FYI: Cosmos is being rerun on the Discovery Science Channel with updated graphics. Last night (tuesday) the topic was mars, and the program holds up very well.

and yes, we scientists must promote the importance of scientific research to the public to maintain funding

ken

[nprev]

I do extensive public outreach to educate the public exactly as you describe, more then 8 different venues in March alone. I can say first hand that the public of all ages does respond positively

many are listed here:
http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=1972

FYI: Cosmos is being rerun on the Discovery Science Channel with updated graphics. Last night (tuesday) the topic was mars, and the program holds up very well.

and yes, we scientists must promote the importance of scientific research to the public to maintain funding

ken

Well, as a lifelong spacefreak layman, I am truly grateful for your efforts, ML, and I know that you make a difference- thanks!

Still, to steal a quote from the excellent movie Bulworth, "We need a spirit...not a ghost". Mass outreach is essential to audiences that aren't even vaguely aware of UMSF in any way...which is, sad to say, the vast majority of the American population.

Carl Sagan was arguably the most influential public science educator in history, largely because he was the first to really leverage the formidable power of television. I strongly doubt that many (if not all!) of the planetary missions after Viking and Voyager would have flown without him & his media presence in the '70s.

We need his spiritual successor, now more than ever.