Honesty, Openness, and Censorship

[promytius]

How can science advance when perfectly legal, logical and accurate phrases are ripped out of existing statements?

 

[COLGeek]

Such as?

 

[promytius]

NASA says removal of 'first woman, person of color' language from Artemis websites 'does not indicate' moon mission crew change. This whitening of all government publications is anti-truth, anti-reality, and will have a chilling and depressing effect on science, which deals in truths and does not 'edit' for clearly political reasons that have nothing to do with science, and everything to do with honesty and our American way of life. If you think this is specious, poll NASA.

 

[COLGeek]

This example is a political one, part of the current US President's agenda. While politics are not our focus on this site, this example does cheapen the experiences of those who have gone before and will contribute to science in the future.

A political discussion will not change/degrade those accomplishments, nor will it be expanded on here.

Vote your opinion when the time comes.

 

[promytius]

I voted, that's irrelevant. I absolutely agree there is no place for politics in science, which brings us back to these dictated, non-scientific new rules.
Politics should play no part at all, and yet: here we are!
Tell me then, how to discuss the effect of governmental intrusion on science while keeping politics out?
If our science is controlled and "edited" by "politicians", how can we comment outside of the political state we find ourselves in?
Close this if you must, however, that in itself would be stifling truth, yes?

 

[COLGeek]

You comment by contacting your elected officials and voicing your opinion. Nothing posted here will change current policy or their actions/support.

Raise enough ruckus, with enough local supporters, then you might make a difference. Go to a town hall, write in to the local paper, attend a protest/rally, start a petition, etc.

Here, we'll not indulge in any political mudslinging. That will not help and will create a bad outcome for those who do so.

 

[Classical Motion]

I'm betting the midterm election will be historic too. Long long overdue. This political science has made life miserable. All science is political, and has been used that way. Telling us how we should live and what's important.

And how to raise our children. And who is important over others.

The authority of morality.

I reject it. And will vote that way.

 

[Helio]

NASA says removal of 'first woman, person of color' language from Artemis websites 'does not indicate' moon mission crew change.

Hmmm. Please show the evidence for this.

I quickly found a nice NASA story on Samone Wilson -- An engineer "at NASA’s Stennis Space Center regularly test rocket engines and propulsion systems that will help land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon."

The caption on her pictures states: "NASA Public Affairs Specialist Samone Wilson seeks to inspire an Artemis Generation through her work in the Office of Communications at NASA’s Stennis Space Center."

 

[CParsons]

Hmmm. Please show the evidence for this.

I quickly found a nice NASA story on Samone Wilson -- An engineer "at NASA’s Stennis Space Center regularly test rocket engines and propulsion systems that will help land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon."

The caption on her pictures states: "NASA Public Affairs Specialist Samone Wilson seeks to inspire an Artemis Generation through her work in the Office of Communications at NASA’s Stennis Space Center."

Archived version: https://web.archive.org/web/20250311145023/https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/
Current version: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/
Reference article: https://www.space.com/space-explora...es-does-not-indicate-moon-mission-crew-change

 

[Helio]

Thanks, CParsons. It would have helped if the OP was posted in the Space.com article thread, which addresses this issue.

I hope this is a temporary pendulum effect since honoring minorities is respected for both political parties.

 

[COLGeek]

I am guessing the OP meant for a broader discussion beyond this one instance ( that unfortunately is not limited to the aforementioned NASA topic).

Regardless, we should be proud of those who were "firsts" and "different". Doing so, in no way, diminishes others who also contributed to and accomplished great things. This is not an "either/or" discussion.

 

[Helio]

I am guessing the OP meant for a broader discussion beyond this one instance ( that unfortunately is not limited to the aforementioned NASA topic).

Yes, good point, but a link to it in the OP would have provided helpful evidence for the claim.

Regardless, we should be proud of those who were "firsts" and "different". Doing so, in no way, diminishes others who also contributed to and accomplished great things. This is not an "either/or" discussion.

Indeed. The meritorious accomplishments of anyone should be honored, but especially so for any minority since they offer even greater inspiration for other minorities. If you polled women astronomers, for instance, I would bet the person that inspired them the most was another woman who earned her way to the top.