Are Space.com boards really pro-space anymore?

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BReif

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I have been following the Space.com message boards ever since I joined these boards when I first "discovered" Space.com several years ago. When I first joined these boards, the majority of the people who were commenting on them were pro-space people. They were both pro-human spaceflight and pro-robotic spaceflight, and there seemed to be an understanding that both were needed for there to be wholistic and complete space program for the US, Russia, and any space-faring nation (see here spacefaring civilization). I am also a member of the National Space Society, which is a sponsor of Space.com. NSS's primary concern is the creation of a spacefaring civilization through both human and robotic spaceflight.<br /><br />Recently, I have found that the posts that have appeared on these boards have been increasingly anti-human spaceflight, and even anti-space altogether. In fact, the veracity of these anti-space posts is becoming increasingly evident. I am beginning to think that SDC is now more an anti-space rather than a pro-space community, and this doesn't sit well with me. Other than a few pro-space people that continue to promote human spaceflight, in fact all spaceflight, till they're blue in the face seem to be making little impact. It seems, despite these few people, more and more anti-spacers are showing up here. Not that I wish to squelch the views of anyone, I do not seek that. But I am beginning to perceive a concerted effort to squelch the views of pro-spacers on these boards.<br /><br />Maybe I am all wrong about this, but this is what I am perceiving. What do you all think?
 
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tap_sa

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To me all the anti-people seem to be anti-NASA, and simultaneously pro-MyLatestWackyIdeaForSpaceRideRequiringJustAnOunceOfUnobtainium.
 
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CalliArcale

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Well, I know I'm pro-spaceflight. Human and robot. I think most of the people here are VERY much pro-spaceflight. However, a lot of us are so passionate about it that we argue bitterly over the right way to do it, and that can make us look anti-space at times. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />For instance, don't assume that because somebody is strongly opposed to the CEV "stick" design that they're anti-space. On the contrary, most of the people opposed to the CEV are very strongly pro-space. They're just anti-CEV.<br /><br />There has been a lot of negativity around here lately. Again, it's because passions run high on these subjects here. Plus, most of us aren't getting our usual human spaceflight fix from NASA TV. It makes us cranky. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> It would be nice to see more positivity about human spaceflight. But don't mistake that lack of positivity for an anti-space outlook. I think you'll find very few people here who really don't want space missions. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>
 
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jatslo

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It seems to me that the free space section of these boards is a dominate force, which is frustrating for me, because I came here to read about science in general, and not anti-BUSH, or Pro-Bush politics, if you get my drift. There was a time when we could just scroll down the " Last 24-Hour" screen and see all science, but now it is almost entirely free space "garbage" that has nothing to do with science at all.<br /><br />I don't know when free space launched, and I don't care; what I care about is science, and people's individual right to be heard without fear of reprisal, and/or ridicule ...<br /><br />I suspect that you are referring to "Free Space"; is this a correct assumption?
 
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BReif

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Actually, Missions and Launches, though I suspect that some of the political bantering on Free Space is creeping into what is posted in Missions and Launches.<br /><br />My concerns, though, would extend to all the boards, including Free Space. My focus, though, is Missions and Launches, Ask the Astronomer, Space Science.
 
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jschaef5

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I'm pro for anything that flys <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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BReif

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Yes Calli, it is true. One could easily mistaken Anti-CEV, or ANti-Shuttle, or Anti-ISS with being anti-human space, or even anti-space altogether.<br /><br />Perhaps I am a guilty of "jumping to this conclusion". However, I still have concerns about the negativity that is going on on the boards.
 
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jatslo

Guest
I don't hangout in there/here too much, unless there is "Breaking News", but pro-exploration of manned and unmanned vehicles is my {sig} when I do. The survival of humanity depends on its success, and I can not think of anything more serious than that, other than my immediate family, that is. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />
 
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tohaki

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I'm very pro-space, pro-human spaceflight and pro-robotic spaceflight. We don't all seem to agree on how to go about it though.
 
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5stone10

Guest
There are several negative creeps who patrols these boards ...<br /><br />... but maybe it would help to stop thinking in pro and anti terms - but rather in terms of critical-thinking.
 
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space_dreamer

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I still love manned space flight as much as ever! <br /><br />NASA has changed direction of its future plans a lot in the last five years. This had created many different space enthusiast “camps” people who favour X30, X33, SLI Orbital space plane, space capsule(CEV), Pro ISS anti ISS, Mars Vs Moon, EELVs Vs SDLV, <br /><br />… There is a lot of people who seen there favourite project get cancelled so there’s a lot more to argue about these days! <br /><br />
 
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john_316

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I also think another thing that is upsetting a few people here on this board is also dealing with the shuttle not flying and the Columbia tragedy and the grounding and all the hoopla along with it. It feels like a knot in the stomach because we are years away from a new rocket system and months away for a potential return to flight. <br /><br />Its very irritating for some including me to hear return to flight every 6 months or year. Its annoying but we are supposed to have faith that things are going to be up and running again. I just hope those guys don't loose their edge after so long a delay in space operations with the shuttle.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />
 
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mlorrey

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Me too. I don't know if NASA creates and cancels so many projects because they think it attracts people to space advocacy or not, but a lot of us who are critical of a lot of things NASA does are very pro-spaceflight but also very disappointed in NASA: it isn't so much all the stuff they've cancelled, as that they never seem to get any project far enough along to complete it. The few rare exceptions are so badly compromised by budget cuts and porkbarrel politics that they are rarely steps forward.<br /><br />I will say that this seems to mostly be a feature of manned spaceflight. The unmanned spaceflight program, being dominated more by scientists than by contractors and congressmonsters, has kept a very positive impression with me, going back to the days when I was an kid in junior high school who received a whole package of photos and materials on the Voyager probes from NASA for free.<br /><br />While the results of the unmanned programs have impressed me, it is not enough to send robots out there. We belong out there, as private citizens living our lives and engaged in private enterprise, not under the thumbs of bureaucrats and busybodies.
 
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toymaker

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I am very pro-space.<br />I was for manned space flight but changed my opinion after learning more and more about space exploration. Or at least I am not supportive of current goals and means of NASA.<br />I am 100 % pro space science. <br />Actually it might be ironic-people seemly are interested in space exploration, learn about and as consequence become sceptical of manned exploration performed in the way it is now.
 
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mikejz

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I might want to point out there Space.com has two 'boards' one being this, and the second being the Board of Directors of Space.com/Imaginova. Lou Dobbs being the founder of Space.com<br /><br />Neil A. Armstrong<br />Chairman, AIL Technologies, Inc.; Apollo Astronaut<br /><br />Joe Deitch<br />Chairman and CEO, Commonwealth Financial Network<br /><br />Lou Dobbs<br />CNN<br /><br />John Higginbotham<br />Chairman, SpaceVest Capital<br /><br />Ray Rothrock<br />Managing General Partner, Venrock Associates<br /><br />Dan Stone<br />President and Chief Executive Officer, Imaginova<br /><br />John A. Williams<br />Senior Vice President/Diversified Business and Development, Gannett Co., Inc.<br /><br />Mark Wright<br />Director, Blue Chip Venture Company<br /><br />Jack Wyant<br />Managing Director, Blue Chip Venture Company
 
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kdavis007

Guest
There are 3 types of people here I have noticed who complain about space exploration.<br /><br />1. People who hate space travel no matter what...<br />2. The Saganites.. They think the space travel is just for scientific purposes only. <br />3. People who just want to complain no matter what....<br /><br />
 
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lunatic133

Guest
I'm so glad I'm not alone here ... now to be honest, there have been trolls and people who complain about space, human, robotic, and some combination of the two, since I joined in the summer of 2003. I'm sure every one of us here who was around back then got annoyed at Rapdstar or Vaclaraz at one point, unless of course you were on their side. However as strange as it seems, it almost seems like the arguments have lost the life they used to have. The reason I hardly ever come here anymore is that we have pages and pages of threads and yet they all say the same thing:<br /><br />poster1: this nifty space thing happened / didn't happen<br />poster2: nasa is bad because they're wasting their money on the shuttle/iss/cev and taking money away from real projects<br />poster3: i agree human spaceflight is stupid<br />poster4: you are ignorant and short sighted if human spaceflight goes then your science will go next!<br />poster5: robots suck humans rock<br />poster4: no both robots and humans are good<br />poster6: There WERE no WMDs in Iraq!!!!!11one ... oh yeah and space is a waste of money<br />poster 3: no you're wrong we're never going anywhere in space to think otherwise is ignorant all space is good for is science<br />all posters: ANGST!!!! <br /><br />I don't see as much anti-space but I see A LOT of anti human spaceflight, and I won't say that there's more vitriol than normal because there always was, if anything it's just the same old arguments rehashed so many times that nobody seems to really care about what they're saying anymore. It's really sad, I think.<br /><br />And for the record, I'm still pro-space, both human and robotic. I used to be pro-human only but now I think robots are good too.
 
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gunsandrockets

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" I think most of the people here are VERY much pro-spaceflight. However, a lot of us are so passionate about it that we argue bitterly over the right way to do it, and that can make us look anti-space at times." <br /><br />"For instance, don't assume that because somebody is strongly opposed to the CEV "stick" design that they're anti-space. On the contrary, most of the people opposed to the CEV are very strongly pro-space. They're just anti-CEV." <br /><br />"There has been a lot of negativity around here lately. Again, it's because passions run high on these subjects here."<br /><br />Exactly right.
 
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askold

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"But I am beginning to perceive a concerted effort to squelch the views of pro-spacers on these boards."<br /><br />Squelch? By asking somebody to defend their position with logic and facts?<br /><br />The fact is that, since Columbia, the US just barely even has a manned space program. And that minimal program supports the ISS which itself has minimal goals - primarilly micro-gravity research and long-term human spaceflight studies. The successor manned space program isn't even in the blueprint stage.<br /><br />I think it's perfectly legitimate to inquire why NASA is spending so much money for so little result.
 
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jwsmith

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gunsandrockets writes: >> " I think most of the people here are VERY much pro-spaceflight. <<<br /><br />There are many people who not only pro space but are pro human space flight/settlement here. True you have to look for them but recently they have conducted a serious exercise called "Lets Plan a Mars Settlement" and another called "Lets Plan a Moon Settlement" <br /><br />I only come by here about three times a year to check out what is happening and sometimes if there is something interesting I will stick around for a few weeks before I leave for another 6 months or so. There are only two of the forums I ever visit, "Missions" and "Business" but they do provide some very good content.<br /><br /> />> However, a lot of us are so passionate about it that we argue bitterly over the right way to do it, << <br /><br />This is good, it brings the best ideas out and when there are good discussions I take ideas from both sides. If it takes 10 tons of garbage to find 3 ounces of diamonds, so be it. 1000Planets, Inc started right here on these forums and we are actually accomplishing things with the help of some of the people here. <br />Some do not know it and others do, but good ideas are good ideas and will be adapted from where ever they come from. <br />If there is any one here that wants to do more than just talk they are invited to join Us. <br /><br />Garbage and all, thanks a lot folks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2">John Wayne Smith, CEO</font></p><p><font size="2">1000 Planets, Inc</font></p><p><font size="2">Http://www.1000Planets.com</font></p><p><font size="2">203 W.Magnolia St.</font></p><p><font size="2">Leesbutg Florida 34748</font></p><p><font size="2">Ph: 352 787 5550</font></p><p><font size="2">email jwsmith42000@aol.com</font></p> </div>
 
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no_way

Guest
i have a very simple position. i would like humanitys economic frontier expand beyond to where its now ( GEO at the farthest ) and i strongly dislike anything that gets in the way of that. Theres tons of stuff that is currently going on in space field that either directly or indirectly helps that goal. But there are also very big activities ( and a LOT of various proposed activities ) that actively get in the way and obstruct that progress, also either directrly and indirectly. Some of these angles like mars zealotry, big government jobs programs etc involve ( manned ) spaceflight. I oppose those not because i dont like spaceflight, but because IMO they get in the way of progress.
 
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explorer11

Guest
I've only been here a couple of weeks and haven't made a whole bunch of posts, but I can sense some of the tension you're talking about. I think YOU may be noticing changes in the local attitude for the reason that in the past 12 months or so, the space industry has been going through radical changes. Once more, these changes are minute compared to the changes that are soon to come. Whenever there is change, people get defensive and on edge. Maybe what you're noticing is merely a community going through a phase.<br /><br />With NASA phasing out the shuttle and phasing in the CEV and VSE, NOBODY wants it to go wrong. People just want everything to go write. The problem is that everyone has a different idea for what is right and what is wrong. It's something that is only human.
 
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explorer11

Guest
I've only been here a couple of weeks and haven't made a whole bunch of posts, but I can sense some of the tension you're talking about. I think YOU may be noticing changes in the local attitude for the reason that in the past 12 months or so, the space industry has been going through radical changes. Once more, these changes are minute compared to the changes that are soon to come. Whenever there is change, people get defensive and on edge. Maybe what you're noticing is merely a community going through a phase.<br /><br />With NASA phasing out the shuttle and phasing in the CEV and VSE, NOBODY wants it to go wrong. People just want everything to go write. The problem is that everyone has a different idea for what is right and what is wrong. It's something that is only human.
 
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