Coulronaut: (I just made that up.) From the greek Koulon, meaning limb and Nautes meaning sailor. Derived from Coulrophobia - fear of clowns.
I've had "exchanges of opinions' with a few people over this, so I'll relate. As you know by now, Guy Laliberté was blasted into orbit yesterday under the infamous Space Tourist "Program". By forking over 35 million dollars, one can book a flight on the Soyuz spacecraft, dock with the ISS and pretend to be an astronaut for several days. Some Apologist blatantly stated that my envy of his success and hatred of the rich hindered my thought processes...Bitch, please. My feelings on this are very direct and visceral; unless you are a trained professional, you have no business being there.
Am I envious...yeah, I'd like to have a little more money...really, who wouldn't! What hatred? I don't hate the man, I don't even know him! For the record, I'm not bitching at a wealthy Canadian entrepreneur...we live in a Capitalist Society, I expect them to be around! If i'd had more business savvy, I could've been one of them! He created a billion dollar industry by re-vamping an age old entertainment. Give credit where credit is due and this one's grand!
My thought processes are clear enough, thank you, that I understand what a business/employment/marketing opportunity is. Hundred of thousands of people have worked for Cirque and received payment in one form or another, even I. The organization can bolster that they have created employment in impoverished countries and what not...but that alone doesn't justify anything. He's a philanthropist whose foundation strives to bring potable water to everyone. He'll use his space-time reminding us water is Life and must be shared by all or something to that effect. That's fine too but we should learn not to waste it in the first place and that problem could almost fix itself. How much of that Blue Gold do you think went up in smoke with this 'mission'? Mind you, as a Cynic and a Realist, I believe everything in the world is outta whack but allowed to functions that way! I see the good in things but mostly the bad that's intrinsically linked to it.
The problems I have with the whole Space tourism issue are many fold. Does an individual have the right, by paying for his seat, to be called an astronaut? No, he doesn't. My analogy was this. Having the money, I could, in theory, pay for a spot on the Canadiens roster, get a few periods of ice time then call myself a professional hockey player. I would need to train hard, Hell, I can't even skate! But damn, I have money therefore I can make the rules. Right. Sidney Crosby would send over his Timbits li'l leaguers with orders to skate up and down my ass before he'd hear me call myself a Pro. The different space agencies call them Spaceflight Participants but I'm sure they're called worse things, behind closed doors! I have more respect for the kids who dream of becoming astronauts. They will study, work and train more than any of us ever will. Should they be accepted within the ranks of the Astronaut Corps, they will have EARNED their place, not PAID for it.
Is it ethical, to satisfy the egotistical whims of a mil/billionaire simply because Space Exploration (as a whole) is strapped for cash? Nope, not in the least. Again, I analogized. Lets pretend that Montreal is in dire need of funds and rents out a firehouse a week at a time. Since the pretend me always wanted to be a fireman. I'll simply write a check, pick out a station and play fireman with the real heroes for awhile. After my time is up, I'll salute everybody, go home a hero to many, save the naysayers. Sure, the city has cash in its coffers and I satisfied my ego for time. But what if my actions or lack thereof, cause an accident with injuries...or worse, loss of lives? What then? Everybody who was in favor of this would jump on the "Lynch Him!" hypocrite bandwagon and cast the first stone. I know, I know, most of you are saying: "Dude! come on, stop being so negative, what could possibly go wrong?" Well, lets see...what can go wrong in the most inhospitable environment known to Man...I guess you have a point there, after all, he is wearing a protective clown nose. That should stop micro-meteorites cold!
As much as NASA downplays this, they're happy that people are willing participants in this type of market. Sure, they'll never admit it but they indirectly benefit from this. The Shuttle fleet will be mothballed next year and eventually replaced by the Orion Spacecraft. (that, in itself, is another big story) In the mean time, they'll need Soyuz to continue servicing the ISS. Those millions can only help with that since A: the Russian agency is low on funds and B: that's less money the Yanks have to dish out. Well, it works on paper...reality is probably far, far different.
Upon return, his PR machine will go into overdrive. He will be on every bloody newspaper and magazine this country can print. Exclusive 1 on 1 radio and TV appearances for the next six months then he'll write a book on his experience - (I'm calling it now...you know this is gonna happen within a year, year and half). He will be deified by the media as a Man with a Vision...but what vision is that, exactly? He set up 100 million dollars on 25 years for his foundation (Charity, the old tax haven standby). We know he has cash and can do what he wants with it, that's not the debate. His foundation is a noble cause, I agree. It is appalling and inhuman that in the 21st century, entire countries have no access to drinking water. Every living being, by birth, has the Right of Life. There are many other clean water/air/soil foundations out there...this one is no different. Until we breed out cruelty and apathy from our gene pool, it, too, is doomed to fail.
I have no ill wishes towards the man. This trip will be the Apex of his Life...but not mine. I refuse to have it shoved down my throat and I refuse to acknowledge greatness where none exists. The furor will die down one day...but not soon enough.
I've had "exchanges of opinions' with a few people over this, so I'll relate. As you know by now, Guy Laliberté was blasted into orbit yesterday under the infamous Space Tourist "Program". By forking over 35 million dollars, one can book a flight on the Soyuz spacecraft, dock with the ISS and pretend to be an astronaut for several days. Some Apologist blatantly stated that my envy of his success and hatred of the rich hindered my thought processes...Bitch, please. My feelings on this are very direct and visceral; unless you are a trained professional, you have no business being there.
Am I envious...yeah, I'd like to have a little more money...really, who wouldn't! What hatred? I don't hate the man, I don't even know him! For the record, I'm not bitching at a wealthy Canadian entrepreneur...we live in a Capitalist Society, I expect them to be around! If i'd had more business savvy, I could've been one of them! He created a billion dollar industry by re-vamping an age old entertainment. Give credit where credit is due and this one's grand!
My thought processes are clear enough, thank you, that I understand what a business/employment/marketing opportunity is. Hundred of thousands of people have worked for Cirque and received payment in one form or another, even I. The organization can bolster that they have created employment in impoverished countries and what not...but that alone doesn't justify anything. He's a philanthropist whose foundation strives to bring potable water to everyone. He'll use his space-time reminding us water is Life and must be shared by all or something to that effect. That's fine too but we should learn not to waste it in the first place and that problem could almost fix itself. How much of that Blue Gold do you think went up in smoke with this 'mission'? Mind you, as a Cynic and a Realist, I believe everything in the world is outta whack but allowed to functions that way! I see the good in things but mostly the bad that's intrinsically linked to it.
The problems I have with the whole Space tourism issue are many fold. Does an individual have the right, by paying for his seat, to be called an astronaut? No, he doesn't. My analogy was this. Having the money, I could, in theory, pay for a spot on the Canadiens roster, get a few periods of ice time then call myself a professional hockey player. I would need to train hard, Hell, I can't even skate! But damn, I have money therefore I can make the rules. Right. Sidney Crosby would send over his Timbits li'l leaguers with orders to skate up and down my ass before he'd hear me call myself a Pro. The different space agencies call them Spaceflight Participants but I'm sure they're called worse things, behind closed doors! I have more respect for the kids who dream of becoming astronauts. They will study, work and train more than any of us ever will. Should they be accepted within the ranks of the Astronaut Corps, they will have EARNED their place, not PAID for it.
Is it ethical, to satisfy the egotistical whims of a mil/billionaire simply because Space Exploration (as a whole) is strapped for cash? Nope, not in the least. Again, I analogized. Lets pretend that Montreal is in dire need of funds and rents out a firehouse a week at a time. Since the pretend me always wanted to be a fireman. I'll simply write a check, pick out a station and play fireman with the real heroes for awhile. After my time is up, I'll salute everybody, go home a hero to many, save the naysayers. Sure, the city has cash in its coffers and I satisfied my ego for time. But what if my actions or lack thereof, cause an accident with injuries...or worse, loss of lives? What then? Everybody who was in favor of this would jump on the "Lynch Him!" hypocrite bandwagon and cast the first stone. I know, I know, most of you are saying: "Dude! come on, stop being so negative, what could possibly go wrong?" Well, lets see...what can go wrong in the most inhospitable environment known to Man...I guess you have a point there, after all, he is wearing a protective clown nose. That should stop micro-meteorites cold!
As much as NASA downplays this, they're happy that people are willing participants in this type of market. Sure, they'll never admit it but they indirectly benefit from this. The Shuttle fleet will be mothballed next year and eventually replaced by the Orion Spacecraft. (that, in itself, is another big story) In the mean time, they'll need Soyuz to continue servicing the ISS. Those millions can only help with that since A: the Russian agency is low on funds and B: that's less money the Yanks have to dish out. Well, it works on paper...reality is probably far, far different.
Upon return, his PR machine will go into overdrive. He will be on every bloody newspaper and magazine this country can print. Exclusive 1 on 1 radio and TV appearances for the next six months then he'll write a book on his experience - (I'm calling it now...you know this is gonna happen within a year, year and half). He will be deified by the media as a Man with a Vision...but what vision is that, exactly? He set up 100 million dollars on 25 years for his foundation (Charity, the old tax haven standby). We know he has cash and can do what he wants with it, that's not the debate. His foundation is a noble cause, I agree. It is appalling and inhuman that in the 21st century, entire countries have no access to drinking water. Every living being, by birth, has the Right of Life. There are many other clean water/air/soil foundations out there...this one is no different. Until we breed out cruelty and apathy from our gene pool, it, too, is doomed to fail.
I have no ill wishes towards the man. This trip will be the Apex of his Life...but not mine. I refuse to have it shoved down my throat and I refuse to acknowledge greatness where none exists. The furor will die down one day...but not soon enough.
