Using Their Noodles
I was skimming through the international news, skimming over the five-hundredth report about the playground bully's latest escapades in Iraq (more about that later ... I'm researching) when I found an interesting story on the BBC.Ostensibly it's about the latest paying space-traveller, Gregory Olsen. I've got to admit, this guy isn't just taking a holiday up there; from what I can see he's the head of a big electronic sensor company in the States and is taking along some research projects to make the trip productive. I really hope that he gets good data from the whole experience, and that he has a lot of fun as well. And yes, I am a little jealous.
But it was the last paragraph of the story that caught my eye the most...
Apparently, as well as performing some essential maintenance, etc, the two highly-trained, highly-respected crew members of ISS Expedition 12 will also be undertaking what must be their most nerve-wracking mission ever. They will, at great risk to their own self-esteem, be filming a Japanese Instant Noodle advertisement.
While I applaud the business sense behind this move, is the ISS really in such dire need of funding that they have to start hiring the place out as a film studio?
Just a little food for thought, Sleepsville.
Based on news stories detailng the decline of Russia's govermental commitments to funding its participation in the ISS and NASA's "issues" with the shuttle, it seems only logical that external funding becomes a more significant option to prolong the existance of the only non-terrestrial habit for humans.
On one hand I find it unsettling that external forces/corporations may have an increased voice regarding future ISS missions based on their own goals, but on the other hand I consider any funding that prolongs mankinds exploration of space to be commendable.
How long will it be before the next ISS's mission launch is funded by a worldwide corporation, who while ensuring the future of the ISS, will ultimately have a primary objective which is to apply a Pespi Cola graphic to the outside of the ISS, followed by a worldwide media blitz of the event promoting the qualities of the promoted drinks benefitial health benefits.
Reality appears to be following the frequently proposed future of a world made and controlled by corporations, rather than governments, that exists in today's modern fiction.
Well said Anonymous. It does look like the world of the mega-corporations is slowly rolling into view, and when that starts to involve space exploration I can't stop myself shivering in apprehension. If you've read Heinlein's Friday you'll understand why.
Thanks for popping by.
I've read "Friday" and i'm shivering. I would worry if General Communications satellites go out funded by corporations. He who controls the pipeline can decide covertly or otherwise what goes on it.
Just because my favoured form of fiction is full of Corporate ruled regimes doesn't mean i want to be there.
Choice is a persons personal freedom take it away and you might as well ask for brass manacles to go with the prole suit!!
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