I just read this article on MSN about the Arecibo Observatory being in dire need of funding. Arecibo

The director's last comment referencing Google painted across the dish is especially distressing.

Arion

---

I just read this article on MSN about the Arecibo Observatory being in dire need of funding. Arecibo

The director's last comment referencing Google painted across the dish is especially distressing.

All very stupid politics and all very "socialist" in that everyone claims it to be "someone else's problem."

Reminds me of:




CONTACT YOUR SENATOR NOW. ASK HIM WHAT HE IS DOING ABOUT IT.

Regards,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Operating within a construct such as ours, it is sometimes enough to be happy that these instruments survive at all, no matter what the shpiel(s) empowering it may be.

---

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

The Washington Post has a front page link to almost a page indside on the financial position of Arecebo telescope. It is not a happy tale.

That will make all congressional offices aware, but only personal letters/e-mails to your Senators and Congressperson will make any difference.

I am in DC area and our Congressman's office is less than a mile from home. I'm so cheap that I bike to the building to hand deliver letters that are important to me. My letter on this subject will be hand delivered Monday. You do your part and either e-mail of use a stamp to let your representatives know your thoughts.

duke

Nice work Duke!

---

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Hell, let 'em paint GOOGLE on it if that gets them the money what difference does it make?

What's 'distressing' about that? Who cares?

---

Founder of BOINC team Objectivists. Oh the humanity! Rational people crunching data!
I did NOT authorize this belly writing!

Hell, let 'em paint GOOGLE on it if that gets them the money what difference does it make?

What's 'distressing' about that? Who cares?

Also distressing is that the big science would have to resort to that sort of 'prostitution'.

There is also the danger that whomever pays for the blo*-paint-job also then gets to directly or indirectly dictate the observatory 'orientations'...

Is this all a game of politics or accountants? Regardless, real Science and the lives of the scientists and other people supporting Arecibo are getting trashed, American-style!


Regards,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Hell, let 'em paint GOOGLE on it if that gets them the money what difference does it make?

What's 'distressing' about that? Who cares?

I for one! First off Arecibo is where we get our data from for this project and I'm just a bit tired of all the darn commercialism. Once you taint a scientific project with commercial BS (whose only object is profit) then there's no pure science left.

---

Once you taint a scientific project with commercial BS (whose only object is profit) then there's no pure science left.

I agree.

However, I (also?) believe that, since a majority of people live under the premise of "How does this help me?", will allow 'Science' to have it's Day In The Sun, with the understanding that something will be spun off into the private sector. Anyone remember 'Tang'? Yes, the Apollo Project was a science bonanza out-the-wazoo, but the commercial possibilities made sure Congress didn't argue too much about the cost.

---

Once you taint a scientific project with commercial BS (whose only object is profit) then there's no pure science left.

I agree.

However, I (also?) believe that, since a majority of people live under the premise of "How does this help me?", will allow 'Science' to have it's Day In The Sun, with the understanding that something will be spun off into the private sector. Anyone remember 'Tang'? Yes, the Apollo Project was a science bonanza out-the-wazoo, but the commercial possibilities made sure Congress didn't argue too much about the cost.

Exactly!

Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw once:

"Earth First. We'll strip mine the other planets later!"

It is sad that without prospects of commercial gains that science rarely gets the chance to move forward in this day and age.

Still, when you consider the technological innovations of recent decades (at least the ones that the public gets to share and play with), it is pretty evident that nearly all were driven by either commercial or military motives.

Digital camera technology for example, was developed to guide munitions during the first round of the gulf war, then duplicated and mass-produced to make very wealthy corporations richer. When it comes right down to it, we'd not have those pretty pics of the Martian surface without commercially motivated scientific advancement.

I'm not defending commercialism, I'm just pointing out that sometimes it gives us scientific advancements which non-funded institutional scientific enterprises simply won't.

Lobby your legislator(s), or better still send a check to Arecibo.

---

Keep on crunching, all...
SETI@Home Forever!

___Tklop (Step-Founder, U.S. Air Force team)

Do not forget that some large proportion of arecibo operation belongs to military use. Their authority could be switching from active scientific use to more active military use. Because just few months ago they refreshed antenna painting. That painting along should cost some serious sum.

People might remeber a few months ago I posted here arecibo site sat images from google earth and asked venue details but both Eric and Kevin tried to hide 2 large hangar like buildings. ;-)

http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=38178

---

Mandtugai!