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From: rwojcik@bcsaic.UUCP (Rick Wojcik)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle,talk.politics.misc,misc.headlines,misc.misc,rec.music.misc
Subject: Re: First concert from space--update
Keywords: Global concert, superstar
Message-ID: <10325@bcsaic.UUCP>
Date: 22 Feb 89 20:48:50 GMT
References: <1885@randvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: rwojcik@bcsaic.UUCP (Rick Wojcik)
Organization: Boeing Computer Services AI Center, Seattle
Lines: 32

In article <1885@randvax.UUCP> talmy@randvax.UUCP (Shel Talmy) writes:
>A company in Los Angeles called Orbit Productions has been formed to 
>stage the first ever concert from space.  A large portion of the proceeds
>from this venture is to be donated to various charities.

I usually applaud activities designed to promote charity and I don't really
want to spoil anyone's fun, but it seems to me that our space program (and
that of the Soviets) has suffered egregiously from people who want to turn it
to some nonscientific purpose.  The shuttle program suffered a spectacular
setback, not just because astronauts died, but because certain politicians
wanted to turn it into a real media event.  There is no justification whatever
for sending Senators, teachers, and singers into orbit.  The Soviet Union
shouldn't be sending up astronauts from different nations just to score
political points.  There is more than enough work up there for scientists and
professional astronauts.  Countries such as the US and the USSR use up huge
resources to keep these activities going, and it is a shame that people can't
understand the worth of the investment without a sugar coating.  Perhaps we
need these kinds of activities to keep the space program alive, but I think
that people would be much more receptive to it if our leaders tried to
promote the space program from loftier motives--e.g. the advancement of
science and the destiny of the human race.

I apologize to Shel and others in her company for being such a curmudgeon.  It
is just my personal opinion that we are not yet at a point where the activity
that they contemplate is justifiable.




-- 
Rick Wojcik   csnet:  rwojcik@atc.boeing.com	   
              uucp:   uw-beaver!ssc-vax!bcsaic!rwojcik