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Oh, you're going to call your senator to tell them how important it is the raise NASA's budget? (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by baxterfp

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[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]filmfiend999 38 points39 points ago

This should be a subreddit. /letterstoreps

I work in public advocacy, it works.

[–]fashizzIe 4 points5 points ago

letter store ps?

/s

[–]filmfiend999 0 points1 point ago

Cool. Wanna moderate?

[–]AdamisforEve 2 points3 points ago

so do i, and i second that motion

[–]TheIcelander 7 points8 points ago

All I ever get back is a nice FOAD letter. It would probably help if I weren't in a district where old, conservative people outnumbered young liberals three-to-one.

[–]jared030858 2 points3 points ago*

what? Obama slashed the budget. this isn't about politics its about common sense.

Edit: someone deleted a question I will post my answer here. Yes economics does play a part in this and economics is tied to politics and we are in a recession which requires less spending etc. etc. I am saying that space exploration and colonization is the next step in humanity and funding of space programs (not just in the usa but all over the world) is needed.

[–]TheIcelander 2 points3 points ago

What I meant is that my opinion doesn't matter at all to my representative because I won't vote for him anyway because he's been elected by a bunch of fundies and thinks science is the devil.

[–]yarnage 8 points9 points ago

Conservatives typically provide more funding for science so you might be better off than you think.

[–]YesNoMaybe 11 points12 points ago

Conservatives typically provide more funding for science

source?

[–]ilovepudding 5 points6 points ago

source - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Q8UvJ1wvk

[–]YesNoMaybe 1 point2 points ago

I'm not saying he's wrong because I really have no idea but I would like to see some numbers. Whether or not republicans in Congress have raised or lowered the funding for science-based programs, many republicans campaign on reducing funding for programs just like that, especially since that they've made cutting taxes their #1 priority. While many might blame or credit the president at the time, I don't think the president matters as much the people actually making the budget.

Also, I can't agree with his logic about Republicans not wanting to be poor so they want to make sure they don't introduce non-science into the science classroom and possibly prevent America from being leaders in science. That's bullshit. I live in SC and I can tell you that these ignorant assholes around here, pretty much all republican, would gladly have intelligent design taught in the classrooms and blame liberals (said with a voice of disgust) for that not being the case.

[–]yarnage 10 points11 points ago*

Neil deGrasse Tyson of course :)

Though the trade-off is they will work bias in if they can but Democrats usually don't care so it's tough figuring out what is the ultimate good here.

Not sure why I'm being downvoted though...

[–]jared030858 6 points7 points ago

Because its become political and people are very fierce with politics and any ideals that go against theirs, they see it as a personal attack. Instead if one does not agree with something one should not upvote nor downvote.

[–]Gray_Fox 5 points6 points ago

That too, but I genuinely find an issue with Tyson's statement, or rather, with how people have interpreted it.

Most science funding is due to Republicans because of our defense spending during the Cold War. They weren't funding space science--they were funding defense, which just happened to encompass it at the time.

Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan. What happened during this time? The space race--and of course this was for defense, ergo the Republican funding en masse.

The fact is, space technology has never been funded a truly useful amount for research to happen to better our lives. Both the Republicans and Democrats suck at funding space.

[–]freshyoungman 0 points1 point ago

I cannot agree more!

[–]freshyoungman 0 points1 point ago

I cannot agree more!

[–]keiyakins 3 points4 points ago

Yeah, I typically only upvote things I really want people to see, and only downvote trolls and people so stupid I can't live unless I pretend they're trolls. And spam of course.

[–]jared030858 0 points1 point ago

Sorry if you saw first post, wrong discussion. Well yeah, trolls should be downvoted if not obvious or funny, and stupid people just need guidance towards knowledge.(this coming from an intelligent person) Spam is a given.

[–]scottny 2 points3 points ago

I'm a big fan of NdGT, but where did he get his source from?

[–]yarnage -3 points-2 points ago

No idea :)

[–]forresja 7 points8 points ago

I downvoted you because he asked for a source and you just said it was Dr. Tyson instead of actually providing one. That isn't the same thing.

[–]bhig3 6 points7 points ago

here

Quick google search

[–]invalidusername2 1 point2 points ago

and because of that smug smiley.

[–]yarnage 0 points1 point ago

Dr. Tyson was the source...Oh I think you mean citation (which is NOT what he asked for).

[–]DankDarko -3 points-2 points ago

yes google is hard

[–]forresja 3 points4 points ago

If he's claiming to provide a source it shouldn't be left as an exercise to the reader to figure out what that source is.

C'mon, man. This is r/space, shouldn't we act like scientists even a little bit?

[–]yarnage -1 points0 points ago

I'm puzzled. I would have thought everyone on /r/space would have watched the video quite some time ago...though I would hardly call that an "exercise". I don't need to spoon-feed you everything.

[–]bynarte -1 points0 points ago

Can you please provide the link to him stating this?

[–]kurfu 1 point2 points ago

"Does it accomplish anything positive?"

Yes! It keeps the shredder-operator employed.

[–]Pyro627 0 points1 point ago

I should try this. I even know one who used to be head of the CIA or some such.

[–]psilocybinmushrooms 48 points49 points ago

If anyone's interested it's from this video.

[–]JakeSanchard 8 points9 points ago

If this was a post and not a comment, this will make it to the front page quicker than it made it to my heart.

[–]charlestheoaf 1 point2 points ago

It already has, that's where I first saw it. But it might still make it again :p

[–]ttake -1 points0 points ago

Beautiful

[–]belandil 4 points5 points ago

Downvote memery.

[–]HazzW 31 points32 points ago

This subreddit used to be good. Now it is just images/gifs and memes. How did it become like this?

[–]likufanele 12 points13 points ago

Check out /r/Astronomy

[–]powercorruption 4 points5 points ago

4 months later they'll migrate there.

[–]Hukka 1 point2 points ago

And we'll all be safe to come back here. The Subreddits Cycle.

[–]YesNoMaybe 8 points9 points ago

Now it is just images/gifs and memes.

Really? Sure, there are a handful of memes & images (some of them really cool) but at this moment on the /r/space front page there are numerous informative and interesting articles and videos related to space. One on SpaceX & Mars tourism speculation. One on electric propulsion of satellites and future trends of launches. Information on solar flares & plasma loops. I can go through the list of posts one by one and a majority of them are exactly what I would want/expect from this subreddit.

Seriously, what exactly are you expecting? That every single post must be a unique, interesting, and informative read for you? Lighten up. There are loads of great posts on this subreddit. The occasional, or even frequent, funny image or comment doesn't ruin the rest of it.

[–]evilada 1 point2 points ago

Hear hear.

[–]PinkBalloons 2 points3 points ago

93k subs :(

[–]danweber 1 point2 points ago

Better than me. I was expecting Condescending Wonka to say "good luck with that."

[–]BritishEnglishPolice[M] 2 points3 points ago

Hello! New mod here. I'm going to make a post soon asking what the community would like :)

[–]surells 2 points3 points ago

My god you are the mod of everything. THE PIGS ARE WALKING!

Oh, and welcome.

[–]BritishEnglishPolice 0 points1 point ago

Thanks! What are your personal opinions on these submissions?

[–]surells 2 points3 points ago

You means gifs and the like? I don't really have any answers. On the one hand I think tighter moderating would produce a higher quality subreddit, but on the other hand I think any mod should be aware that they are ultimately the servants of a subreddit, not it's masters, and it's not up to them to decide what it should be.

Personally I think the ideal would be a republic rather than a pure democracy. If you have the general consent of the users to improve /r/space, even if they might be annoyed at some individual decisions, you're doing it right. However, never go down the AskScience route, that would be to far. This is a community for those interested in space, not an easily defined service like AS.

Sorry, I realise that was a bit waffly and insubstantial, but its the best I can do. Thanks for asking my opinion on the matter.

tl:dr I'd say this is not the place for memes and gifs, and if the general feedback is that most people agree then enforce that, but gently, let people get off topic and be relaxed, don't be the thought police.

[–]I_Will_Allow_This 0 points1 point ago

I'm going out on a bit of a limb here, but are you from the UK by any chance?

[–]BritishEnglishPolice 0 points1 point ago

Yep!

[–]johnnypixel 17 points18 points ago

Why didn't you just make this a self post and write down the points you're trying to make here and encourage actual discussion? You got as far as the title then just took part in karma-whoring.

Why did you go with pointless gif spam? There's plenty of subs for that. This isn't supposed to be one of them.

This just pushes down other posts and if someone's browsing their frontpage they'll potentially miss out seeing actual content.

What is about Karma you love so much to free the need to post the same gif for the billionth time?

[–]chrisbooth12 6 points7 points ago

Can we please leave shit like this off this sub?

[–]seagramsextradrygin 4 points5 points ago

Looks more to me like he's saying "You'd better not be fucking around."

[–]leap_barb 2 points3 points ago

I loved this episode of Cosmos. It was one of the more inspiring episodes that made me go into teaching. Although I'm not a science teacher it really is nice to see kids who want to learn.

Relating to the post: it is nice to at least send your opinion to your representative so they can see that people are interested in how our tax dollars are spent. Better than remaining silent.

[–]Mindwolf 2 points3 points ago

I just emailed both my Senators and my Representative. I have very low expectations, but I did my duty. It's better than not doing anything.

[–]keiyakins 0 points1 point ago

Try to get a call, or better yet snail-mail in. If your handwriting is neat, hand-write it, even.

[–]Mindwolf 1 point2 points ago

A call is a good idea. Don't know about snail-mail though.

What did other people write?

[–]forwardthefoundation 1 point2 points ago

After NdGT's speech 2 weeks ago:

Dear Senator ___, Having reviewed the remarks of Dr. Tyson at the Senate Commerce hearing on the future of our space program, I feel it is necessary to voice my support for his proposal. This is the most promising idea put forward to date to help get Americans back to work. Exploration requires innovation, manufacturing, and education in STEM fields. Please support making America the nation it has the potential to be.

Thank you, forwardthefoundation

[–]psychometry 7 points8 points ago

And another subreddit is ruined by months-old reddit users flooding it with gifs...

[–]evilada -5 points-4 points ago

It's a gif. Relax there, chicken little.

[–]SimilarImage 15 points16 points ago

Age User Title Reddit Cmnt Points
2 months ElanRosenfeld Hey guys, during this holiday season, in which you may or may not be celebrating something, I just wanted to remind you all of one very important thing. /r/atheism 145 1124
6 months notBrit You're Awesome /r/gifs 48 565
1 month zation101 Carl Fucking Sagan /r/funny 27 465

This is an automated response

FAQ | Send Feedback | Report Error

[–]cosmaximus 2 points3 points ago*

Someone gave me a harsh taste of reality. The only reason we even landed on the moon was to trump the Russians. Has it not been for trying to one up them our government wouldn't even care about space. It's so sad.

Edit: that being said I would still make a call or a letter. I for one would volunteer myself for any space exploration colonization.

[–]lolmeatshield 0 points1 point ago

Right there with you. Although, more than colonization, I just want to fly a space ship. And not some big bulky shuttle or transport, I want something with a little style. :D Space, The final frontier.

[–]cosmaximus 0 points1 point ago

I just dream of one day looking down at the earth from up there. I can't imagine a more beautiful sight. Maybe Saturn and her rings. I realize this dream will most likely not be a reality. But god damn every time I look up at the stars I'm in awe that there are whole other worlds up there.

[–]yarnage -2 points-1 points ago

Someone gave me a harsh taste of reality.

Neil deGrasse Tyson?

[–]gamedude999 1 point2 points ago

No, I'm going to call them and ask them to send all of nasa's money to spacex.

[–]Ascott1989 0 points1 point ago

In 5 years SpaceX could potentially overtake NASA. The amount of potential in the private space industry is mind blowing.

[–]gamedude999 0 points1 point ago

As soon as they go public I'm going to buy as much as I can.

Elon is going to be a trilionaire out of this. And if not it'll still be a great ride.

[–]Ascott1989 0 points1 point ago

I agree with you there.

[–]StaffSergeant 1 point2 points ago

Please do it. Don't worry, Americans have always hated NASA and a very small portion of the population thought going to the moon was a good idea. Some things are worse the risk and expense.

[–]danvar81 6 points7 points ago

I love Sagan and space n shit, but remind me why it is important to raise NASA's budget?

[–]Jimmysal 18 points19 points ago

“(Space programs are) a force operating on educational pipelines that stimulate the formation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians... They're the ones that make tomorrow come. The foundations of economies... issue forth from investments we make in science and technology.”

― Neil deGrasse Tyson

[–]DMTMH 4 points5 points ago

I second this statement, the space program is what got me interested in science and now I plan to eventually become a particle physicist.

[–]forwardthefoundation 2 points3 points ago

I was a music major, read some Asimov, and said screw it I'm studying physics so I can be an astronaut. Back up plan is physicist.

[–]DMTMH 3 points4 points ago

For me physicist is my (more likely to happen) back up plan for becoming an astronaut. I have a few medical restrictions (I'm in pretty good shape and a hard worker and all, but I have asthma/a ton of allergies and have been diagnosed with ADD even though I quit medicating).

Oh well, until then I have Orbiter

[–]danvar81 0 points1 point ago

The absence of government funding doesn't make science disappear.

[–]Jimmysal 1 point2 points ago*

No, but it limits the breadth with which "science" is applied.

Let's explore an imaginary scenario. The government was behind the advancement and application of nuclear technology. Do you think nuclear power would be as widely used today if a company with vested interests in energy production held the majority of patents and fundamental knowledge on that technology?

Apple is filing injunctions against samsung over $500 SMARTPHONES for FSMs sake!

All joking aside, you get my meaning right? Ideally, government funding of technology is more likely to be applied in a broader scope than privatized, patented, or IP protected applications.

I've seen it happen. Right now, the company I work for is the only one on the planet that has sufficient technological expertise to complete a task under a very specific set of parameters. We're not about to share that knowledge with ANYONE anytime soon. However, the (unrelated) three letter agency grant work we were awarded millions of dollars to research over the next few years... We're MANDATED to publish our results and findings.

[–]Bandit1379 13 points14 points ago*

Here is a list of technological developments made possible by NASA, some of which you probably use in your every day life.

This is a great example of NASA technology being used for the public good.

I'll also add in a quote from Neil deGrasse Tyson's new book, Space Chronicles:

"Here's an experiment worth conducting. Sneak into the home of a NASA skeptic in the dead of night and remove all technologies from the home and environs that were directly or indirectly influenced by space innovations: microelectronics, GPS, scratch-resistant lenses, cordless power tools, memory-foam mattresses and head cushions, ear thermometers, household water filters, shoe insoles, long-distance telecommunication devices, adjustable smoke detectors, and safety grooving of pavement, to name a few. While you're at it, make sure to reverse the person's LASIK surgery. Upon waking, the skeptic embarks on a newly barren existence in a state of untenable technological poverty, with bad eyesight to boot, while getting rained on without an umbrella because of not knowing the satellite informed weather for that day."

[–]evilada 1 point2 points ago

Spectacular response, thank you

[–]Mordeth -1 points0 points ago

First off: I share your sentiment about NASA and how space exploration made lots of technical developments possible we now take for granted.

Now the sad part: NASA has actually been used as a front to give forbidden governmental aid (1 2) to american aircraft designer Boeing. So while you may frown on senators wanting to cut NASA budget, you may also want to have a closer look at those senators who want to increase it "for the good of mankind".

[–]danvar81 -1 points0 points ago

Why not fund a company that just makes cool gadgets instead of sending space ships to fix the ISS.

[–]Frigorific 1 point2 points ago

Technology advancements made by NASA eventually work their way into the public sector and provide us all with better products.

Also space exploration and our ability do any number tasks outside of the earth are pretty critical to the long term survival of humans as a whole.

[–]eagerbeaver1414 1 point2 points ago

Besides the practical reasons, which are many, I think the primary reasons are:

1)It is cool

2)It is there

3)humanity's collective goal to discover the nature of things.

4)With all the money we sink into destroying, imagine what would be possible if we all decided to sink the money into discovery instead.

5)We are capable.

Haven't we all had those moments or phases in life where we know we are wasting our precious little time on this Earth? (I'm talking to you, World Of Warcraft). And then we think "what could I do if I stopped screwing around". Collectively, we are screwing around. It's time to get to work!

[–]wisenheimer 0 points1 point ago

I have the same arguments, but it is not for NASA, it is for pussy.

[–]Clutter 0 points1 point ago

What do you think our goal as a species should be, if not to one day develop the means to explore the stars?

[–]danvar81 0 points1 point ago

I don't think we have a goal as a species.

[–]liverandonions 0 points1 point ago

Carl Sagan and George Harrison looked kinda similar. Never noticed that before.

[–]Second_Foundationeer 0 points1 point ago

Or just as important, sign the petition and send letters to your congressmen about fusion and the alcator cmod

[–]JamesLiptonIcedTea 0 points1 point ago

For a second I thought this might have been a modified version of the original .gif to say "YOU'RE RETARDED".

Because really, even though they would definitely read it, I doubt they would take it seriously. Whatever, just my opinion, I'm not here.

[–]EatenOffTheWeb 0 points1 point ago

carl sagan? 2 upvotes

[–]slartzy 0 points1 point ago

convince "Quotation marks"them"Quotation marks" comma to give nasa more money comma so they can build a death moon period the military would jizz over this dot dot dot comma although since i own the moon they will have to sign a lease period

[–]Niyeaux 0 points1 point ago

Let's do this: http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/r5y6f/can_we_organize_a_call_your_representative_day_to/

[–]LORDJEW_VAN_CUNTFUCK 0 points1 point ago

I seriously don't understand why this gif is so popular. Sagan looks fucking furious in it. "You're awesome" doesn't fit the situation at all.

[–]ex_logica 0 points1 point ago

LOVE OF SCIENCE = LOVE OF NASA

AMIRITE?

[–]rh_zoid -2 points-1 points ago

I was listening to metal while watching this gif... and it changed everything.

[–]TorchicBlaziken -1 points0 points ago

This is the first time I've ever seen Carl Sagan on reddit outside of /r/circlejerk.

[–]InfinitySnatch -1 points0 points ago

Was expecting Condescending Wonka.

[–]grammar_connoisseur -4 points-3 points ago

how important it is the raise

ಠ_ಠ

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

In terms of typos, this is pretty minor. It didn't affect the message so I see no reason in pointing it out.

[–]baxterfp[S] -3 points-2 points ago

I've found that more people pay attention to grammatically incorrect postz

[–]baxterfp[S] -2 points-1 points ago

Hate on the grammar all you want. I'm simply saying, I was hoping to get a couple people to reach out and do something today with their spare time. To do so, I need to turn some heads. In 5 minutes time, this is what I came up with.....and I based it off the rules of the playground:" If you think something contributes to conversation, upvote it. If you think it does not contribute to reddit or is off-topic in a particular community, downvote it."

[–]grammar_connoisseur 3 points4 points ago

Wait, why would you reply to your own response? Forget to switch out to your novelty account or something?

[–]baxterfp[S] -4 points-3 points ago

No matter what I say.

[–]leftasmokingcrater -1 points0 points ago

no,YOU'RE awesome,Carl

[–]HireALLTheThings -1 points0 points ago

It's the subtle bob of the eyebrows that really makes me feel like I really, truly, am awesome when I see this gif.

[–]Leumas_Loch -1 points0 points ago

This is my new favorite GIF

[–]awesomechemist -1 points0 points ago

I've made it my goal on reddit to upvote every single usage of this GIF.

[–]MaxChaplin -1 points0 points ago

What I expected.

[–]spacegypsy -1 points0 points ago

It's Obama not the senators...

[–]eclecticEntrepreneur -1 points0 points ago

No, I won't. I don't believe in funding things with funds collected via violence.

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