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From: tneff@well.UUCP (Tom Neff)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Space muzak (Mission Status Report  #12)
Summary: these frivolities are as much NASA's doing as anyone's
Message-ID: <11232@well.UUCP>
Date: 4 Apr 89 21:15:47 GMT
References: <18927@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> <2520@phred.UUCP>
Reply-To: tneff@well.UUCP (Tom Neff)
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 29

Before wasting too much time flogging the "media" as villain of choice
re: astronaut wakeup music and other such frivolous non-events during
mission coverage, I wish readers would remember that it's NASA who
chooses to spoon feed these things to us via press releases and
NASASELECT coverage.  Obviously this is part of what NASA wants us to
hear about the mission.  They think, and the media for the most part
agree, that this is the kind of thing that amuses America and keeps us
happy about our space program.  It should surprise no one, least of all
the folks at CNN or NASA public affairs, that the elite minority of
informed space junkies (i.e., we) think it's a waste of time.
Why should they care?  We're a captive audience.  It's the apathetic
majority they're trying to tickle.  I happen to think they're doing it
the wrong way, but again, my opinion doesn't count for much in the
demographic they're shooting for.

At least we don't hear QUITE so much about what they had for breakfast
the morning of the launch, these days. <grin>  Maybe because it's some
kind of green disgusting ROBOCOP-type paste?

btw speaking strictly as a slack jawed dumb viewer, nothing they've
ever showed during a mission can beat (a) the orbiter against the
turning earth as seen by the Canada arm or other remote camera, or (b)
the orbiter landing in Florida.

--
Jedi disclaimer: My opinions sound good. You should share them now...
-- 
Tom Neff                  tneff@well.UUCP
                       or tneff@dasys1.UUCP