…Like Everybody Else

NASA where is your dignity? When I was a child you were the end all – the supreme authority – the hope of the world and its future. Now we look on all that you do and I suspect wonder at why we are not farther along than we are. When we watched long years ago at the supreme adventure of mankind – a landing on the moon – we envisioned fantastic exploits to come. Now we are relegated to a world dominated by pseudo-intellectual dominances of our reality. Where is NASA when the world needs it most?

Google has endeavored to consume everything on its path and now it has ventured into the realm of astrophysics and the realm of our dreams. Google Moon is an extension of Google Earth that essentially maps the exploration of the Moon and even Mars. I have always had a problem with Google and its rather mediocre use of resources. Simply acquiring technology for the sake of business is so mundane. Why have we not come to expect more? Is Google acquiring NASA technology too? What is this so called “partnership” all about anyways?

Google Moon is a fascinating look at something that was supposed to be conquered almost 3 decades ago –WTF is this about? I remember vividly the feeling, the experience of hope and potential so many felt way back when, and now I ponder the exact moment when we went astray. Did we really land there? There were so many reports that it was all a façade and that we were being duped even back then, can this be so? Is Google, the Internet phenomena, just now planning what we thought had already been done so many years ago?

Google – The Walmart of Technology

What I would really like to know is why a rich, but second rate by comparison, entity like Google appears to rule every precipice of the most sophisticated communication tool ever devised? I am talking about the Internet and what we are allowing to become of it. In my exploits I have conversed with some of the most brilliant and sophisticated people on the planet, but Google seldom gives the time of day to anyone. Their arrogance is not the problem however; the issue is power in the wrong place.

NASA should be leading the way to visual or literal exploration of extraterrestrial places and without any allegiance or partnership with a search engine company gone wild. Come to think of it, how come Google either has to buy or borrow technologies in whatever domain they choose to enter? We have been conditioned to think that “geeks” get things done and that they are some sort of semi-scientists, when nothing could be further from the truth actually.

Science Versus Geekdom

I am not setting out to offend any of my geek friends (or enemies for that matter), but I think we need to clarify the difference between technical wizardry of any kind and actual science. Geeks come up with some of the most fascinating and useful technology and gadgets. Take Digg for example; You cannot exactly call this social media powerhouse science. Kevin Rose is certainly no scientific genius, but he has provided something of value (just how much is arguable).

True Scientists are simply not in it for the money or the bragging rights – most of them are in it for the art and innovation. This intent or mentality is fairly evident in the end result. A good example of (if a tongue in cheek one) of the difference between the two mind sets is this: If 200 geeks built a space shuttle and it exploded on takeoff – they would simply say; “WOW!” However, though a few scientists might actually have the “Wow” reaction – most would be dutifully and immediately figuring out what went wrong. This was a bad example I know, but the point is that just being smart is not enough and Google has nothing to do with science! So, what the hell is NASA thinking about?

On The Moon Or In It

Did NASA really put us on the Moon or is it a believable fallacy? My logic tells me that we did it, but then the same logic asks the question; “What does NASA need with Google?” The people I once knew there would have actually made their own startup and used it to teach kids about the lunar landings. Perhaps Google has simply become the Internet version of broadcast TV ala 1969, but whatever their reasons for teaming up with Google, I know I am sorely disappointed.