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On the other hand, video of astronauts floating in space probably did more to get kids into STEM than most other things in the 20th century. The cultural appeal
by bastawhiz 2y ago
On the other hand, video of astronauts floating in space probably did more to get kids into STEM than most other things in the 20th century. The cultural appeal of space has a real impact on society.
- aphantastic 2y agoI was about to say the same. At a time when the plurality of kids want to be YouTubers when they grow up^, I can’t help but feel that more investment into the “cool factor” of STEM would not be misplaced. What kind of impact would kids across the nation seeing astronauts decked out in head to toe custom Prada have on the future of our domestic research&development efforts? It’s hard to quantify, but I imagine it has to be more than whatever the minuscule additional cost a bit of flair on the space suits might add to the program. https://www.statista.com/chart/31014/most-popular-future-jobs-with-united-states-teenagers/ https://www.statista.com/chart/31014/most-popular-future-job...
- anonzzzies 2y agoIs that the floating in space part and the robots and rockets surrounding it, or whatever the space suits look like? For now, space suits need to be safe and practical.
- bastawhiz 2y agoSafe and practical are not orthogonal with aesthetically pleasing!
- anonzzzies 2y agoSure, but that's a matter of taste, so until we have money left as those things are taken care of, no need to spend money on aesthetics. And we are not that routinely sending people into space.
- bamboozled 2y agoI think you’re right I always loved the spacesuits. I begged my grandma to make a silver Gemini suit for me for Halloween once. Loved it forever. I felt the same about the space x suits though, boring. Look like pyjamas
- ivewonyoung 2y agoAnd yet the US President didn't even congratulate the first private spacewalk ever in the world recently accomplished by an American company, for purely political reasons. So sad to see.
- __m 2y agoWhy would the government congratulate a private company?
- ivewonyoung 2y agoBecause it's an American accomplishment? For example here is Biden congratulating GM's Mary Barra as the leader and innovator of EVs after not inviting Tesla to an EV summit in 2021. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UduPjk9gonw https://youtube.com/watch?v=UduPjk9gonw Tesla produced about 200k EVs that quarter and GM produced just 26. Unions donate a lot so they have a lot of sway and control.
- bastawhiz 2y agoI'm not sure that's really an accomplishment that will inspire kids.