The problem is real, but I don't think it's fair or accurate to blame NASA for it. NASA is not to blame for Americans being disinterested in science and exploration. In fact, NASA has one of the best publicity teams in the entire government. Seriously. Just contrast people's opinion of NASA with their opinion of NOAA. Heck, NASA's PR is so good, people think they're the only agency doing anything in space at all, which isn't true. Fact is, spaceflight retains a certain cool factor which non-NASA fields lack. Kids instantly recognize NASA's name, and know that it's related to space. How many of them know about the National Science Foundation, NOAA, the FAA, or even the Parks and Wildlife Service? How often do you hear kindergarteners say they want to be an astronaut when they grow up? And how many do you hear say they want to be a molecular biologist?<br />.<br />No, NASA doesn't have bad PR. They actually have very good PR. The problem isn't NASA failing to sell itself. It's a much bigger problem than could ever be blamed on NASA or any single government agency. It's a cultural problem. We as a society do not value science. And you can't expect the government to fix that because we *are* the government. "By the people, of the people, for the people." If the majority doesn't give two hoots, neither will Uncle Sam.<br /> <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>