Counter-Programming Against The Rich People In Space Meme
Keith’s note: OK space fans. While the focus of this taxpayer policy advertisement is not a majority opinion, it is not an infrequently heard one either. To be certain, the organization trying to push for tax reform abducted the images and symbolism of the Branson/Bezos flights and used it for a gratuitous flyby attention grabber – because, why not? It works.
Meanwhile, outside the space bubble, out in the real world, where people are unemployed, facing disease and possibly eviction, and otherwise not experiencing the happiest, forward-looking of times, seeing ultra-rich people cavorting in space is perhaps not the best way to advertise the promise of space. I’m not suggesting that these commercial efforts stop. Rather, that people in a position to influence events and public commentary pause for a moment to think of ways to counter the negative impact of the space tourism thing with mention of space-related things of basic, commonplace societal benefit.
NASA is not going to do this since NASA has never really demonstrated that skillset. And they will never have it. Rather, its something that others should be thinking about right now. Just a thought.
This angry taxpayer ad is not the only one to borrow the space meme to make a point. There are many others. You may not go for what Big Oil is trying to put forth in their ads, but they do portray space as something hopeful. It is possible. Just sayin’
Or this ad which speaks to young people who think about space – a lot.
Oh yes, then there’s this space program analogy in an op ed yesterday about preparing for the next pandemic – from the President’s science advisor …
As bad as covid-19 has been, a future pandemic could be even worse — unless we act now, Opinion, Eric Lander, Washington Post
“These goals are ambitious, but they’re feasible — provided the work is managed with the seriousness, focus and accountability of NASA’s Apollo Program, which sent humans to the moon.“
As Sir Richard said after he landed, he is supporting 1800 engineers (and their families and the surrounding economies. For ever 1960’s dollar spent directly on the Apollo program, between $9 and $13 were generated in the U.S. economy. Conversely, when the Shuttle was grounded, 2500 workers at Cape Canaveral lost their jobs. With no other jobs (at the time), the workers moved away. It is said that 10,000 jobs were affected in Brevard County, FL. Entrepreneurs like Branson, Bezos and Musk are creating new technologies that will benefit everyone.
It should also be pointed out that we are NOT bundling thousand dollar bills and sending them into space. They go to feed engineers, scientist, technicians, (at Boca Chica in particular) heavy equipment operators, welders and others.
[OFF TOPIC ATTACKING UNEMPLOYED DELETED]
But attacking the entrepreneurs will not solve the problems here on Earth!
Ad Astra!
In hindsight it was a mistake for Branson and Bezos to go on their rides. Their intention was to demonstrate confidence in their systems, which would help bring in customers as well as provide some publicity. Probably there was a bit of hubris also. But I think most of us who have followed the trials and travails of these two projects, whether we like either of these two guys or not, understood the overall reason for their flights, and the underlying goals of both companies to promote space travel. But I think what happened is that the general public has never heard of these projects, or long ago forgotten whatever they may have heard years ago. From their viewpoint all of a sudden two billionaires, one of whom was already especially unpopular, are spending their wealth going for rides into space. Not a good visual at the current time.
Either way the damage is done, the best thing for them to do now is just lay low until the furor dies down which it eventually will. Then just quietly start up the tourist flights in a few months. I think the overall success of these programs is going to be primarily driven by word of mouth as people who go on the rides will naturally share their experience with probably everyone that they know (many of who presumably can also afford it). And if some celebrities go for rides that will help also, although at least for the short term I would suspect many of them will avoid it because of the current negative publicity. But any further hoopla about the start of tourist flights on the part of Branson and Bezos will probably be counterproductive at this time.
Picture this:
3 caravelles sailing into the west.
From the balcony of her palace Queen Isabella watches them sail away.
Courtier: Your majesty, I’m afraid you’ve lost your jewels for nothing.
Queen Isabella: No. Columbus will sail due west and open a new trade route to China.
Courtier: And if he fails? Your jewels could have alleviated so much poverty.
Queen Isabella: It is an investment in the future.
Courtier: Ha!
Commentator steps into frame.
Commentator: Columbus did fail. He never reached China. But he did discover two new continents that led to a new world with dozens of new nations, new wealth, new trade.
Courtier: Who the hell are you?
Cut to shots of New Shepherd & SS2.
Commentator: Our first baby steps today towards a new tomorrow.
End.
Changing the messaging just requires a budget.
The “optics” of those two flights had good and bad points, we can conclude that the commercial space companies had better make their case about how they benefit the world in general (and the US since they employ lots of US residents). If they sit back and allow others to define them they will be making a mistake.
As Kieth, et al have said – these Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic and Boeing and other companies do pay taxes and they employ lots of people. The fact that Amazon may not pay the taxes that people think that it should does not affect other companies – Blue Origin, etc.
We have seen Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson and business leaders donating money to causes of their choice, that is a good move.
Yes. They pay taxes, and they employee lots of people, who both collectively pay more taxes, and individually pay at a higher rate.
Still. Some say that every billionaire represents a policy mistake. It’s the kind of comment that rings true until you realize that disposition of collected tases is something that governments do poorly.
An interesting vid.
https://www.youtube.com/wat…
Here’s an easy one: weather satellites have saved 10s of millions of lives over the past 60 years and helped prevent billions in storm damage.
Don’t make hay over public vs private space since most people simply can’t tell what’s what. In a world full of 5 second attention spans, get your message across quickly and country simple.
consider
Bezos donations
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07…
Branson donations
https://marketrealist.com/p…
Musk donations
https://www.vox.com/recode/…
With 375 views and 3 comments, I don’t think that video is getting much traction…
One has to wonder how much angry taxpayer policy advertisements cost- especially when they are condemning allegedly frivolous money spending.