More of the same...
March 25, 2025 7:20 PM Subscribe
And perhaps I was giving her too much of the benefit of the doubt all along and rather than being a spineless stooge she's actually been MAGA all along. That doesn't meaningfully change my opinion of her behavior in her tenure as Acting Administrator. Willing or not, she talks like MAGA and quacks like MAGA.
posted by tclark at 7:53 PM on March 25 [3 favorites]
posted by tclark at 7:53 PM on March 25 [3 favorites]
Obligatory Whitey on the Moon by Gil-Scott Heron.
Still timely.
posted by JonJacky at 8:22 PM on March 25 [29 favorites]
Still timely.
posted by JonJacky at 8:22 PM on March 25 [29 favorites]
That’s one small step for man, another white man…
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:26 PM on March 25 [3 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:26 PM on March 25 [3 favorites]
Unsurprised. Sigh.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:00 PM on March 25
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:00 PM on March 25
Someone needs to remind them that Iron Sky was entertainment, not a roadmap.
The way they're headed, NASA will end up just like it began - run by a Nazi.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 11:52 PM on March 25 [6 favorites]
The way they're headed, NASA will end up just like it began - run by a Nazi.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 11:52 PM on March 25 [6 favorites]
This could be a feature, not a bug.
Send Elon! Send him to the moon. Send him to Mars. Send him to the deep recesses of space! The sun! More billionaires in space and private deep sea submarines! Send them out to explore the places you can't come back from! One small step for a man, one leap forward for humankind.
posted by rubatan at 12:04 AM on March 26 [18 favorites]
Send Elon! Send him to the moon. Send him to Mars. Send him to the deep recesses of space! The sun! More billionaires in space and private deep sea submarines! Send them out to explore the places you can't come back from! One small step for a man, one leap forward for humankind.
posted by rubatan at 12:04 AM on March 26 [18 favorites]
While the Artemis III crew has yet to be announced, NASA added: "It is important to note that the change in language does not indicate a change in crew assignments."
posted by doctornemo at 5:04 AM on March 26 [4 favorites]
posted by doctornemo at 5:04 AM on March 26 [4 favorites]
I was reminded of the heartbreaking story of Ed Dwight, an Air Force captain and test pilot who was the first Black man recruited into the astronaut program, on the specific orders of JFK, who saw what a powerful message it would be for the Apollo missions to be integrated, achieving the astounding feat of landing on the moon through black and white Americans working together. Few others in government or at NASA shared this vision, though, and upon Kennedy’s death, Dwight was kicked out of the program despite his strong performance.
Dwight went to have a second career as a very successful sculptor, but in looking up the details for this comment, I learned that Dwight finally got to go to space on one of the Blue Origin flights last year, at the age of 90. (previously)
posted by Jon_Evil at 5:49 AM on March 26 [19 favorites]
Dwight went to have a second career as a very successful sculptor, but in looking up the details for this comment, I learned that Dwight finally got to go to space on one of the Blue Origin flights last year, at the age of 90. (previously)
posted by Jon_Evil at 5:49 AM on March 26 [19 favorites]
I walk by a photo of Astronaut Ronald McNair almost every day. His scholars are an excellent way to be the change you wish to see in the world. Astronaut Mae Jemison is also excellent-keep working towards change. Makes me wish there were better “blind auditions” to get diverse talent past the bigots. What was it that Trevor Noah said about Elon Musk’s home country of South Africa…the Dutch studied colonization and oppression of native people with the aim of perfecting it? It’s shining through him. You would think he would use technology to support eliminating bias…
posted by childofTethys at 6:34 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]
posted by childofTethys at 6:34 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]
DOGE will claim it was a mistake and that when they make mistakes that we should point it out so they can get it right!
When you're moving fast and breaking things, you might careen out of control and break things.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:49 AM on March 26
When you're moving fast and breaking things, you might careen out of control and break things.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:49 AM on March 26
While the Artemis III crew has yet to be announced, NASA added: "It is important to note that the change in language does not indicate a change in crew assignments."
It's going to be awakward to get around the langage, but Doge will let them know what wording to use.
Just announced: Artemis III crew will have three white men and either awoman maid or a male of a darker color janitor.
Personally, I wish NASA could fire the next rocket straight up Musk's ass with a small colorful explosive charge detonating upon penetration.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:16 AM on March 26 [1 favorite]
It's going to be awakward to get around the langage, but Doge will let them know what wording to use.
Just announced: Artemis III crew will have three white men and either a
Personally, I wish NASA could fire the next rocket straight up Musk's ass with a small colorful explosive charge detonating upon penetration.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:16 AM on March 26 [1 favorite]
To prefix this comment, I have no issue with diversity goals in aggregate.
Artemis III has a crew of two people. A stated goal of having diversity goals for two people implies there must be a racial/gender preference for selection of those astronauts on an individual level. If one astronaut is selected that is not a woman, that implies the other astronaut must be a woman. Gender/racial discrimination as a requirement for a position is not legal, nor should it be.
The federal government should not be choosing individual positions based on gender/race. I'm good with making this change.
posted by saeculorum at 9:25 AM on March 26
Artemis III has a crew of two people. A stated goal of having diversity goals for two people implies there must be a racial/gender preference for selection of those astronauts on an individual level. If one astronaut is selected that is not a woman, that implies the other astronaut must be a woman. Gender/racial discrimination as a requirement for a position is not legal, nor should it be.
The federal government should not be choosing individual positions based on gender/race. I'm good with making this change.
posted by saeculorum at 9:25 AM on March 26
I have no issue with diversity goals in aggregate.
But what you go on to say is that you are opposed to affirmative action - you don't think that the process of selecting an individual person to fill a role should include consideration of gender or race.
There is no such thing as affirmative action in the aggregate because people are not selected for positions in the aggregate. If you are against race or gender being a factor in hiring/selection, you're against affirmative action full stop.
posted by prefpara at 9:35 AM on March 26 [9 favorites]
But what you go on to say is that you are opposed to affirmative action - you don't think that the process of selecting an individual person to fill a role should include consideration of gender or race.
There is no such thing as affirmative action in the aggregate because people are not selected for positions in the aggregate. If you are against race or gender being a factor in hiring/selection, you're against affirmative action full stop.
posted by prefpara at 9:35 AM on March 26 [9 favorites]
The federal government should not be choosing individual positions based on gender/race. I'm good with making this change.
Uh huh. Cuz no woman could possibly be qualified, right?
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 9:39 AM on March 26 [4 favorites]
Uh huh. Cuz no woman could possibly be qualified, right?
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 9:39 AM on March 26 [4 favorites]
If you are against race or gender being a factor in hiring/selection, you're against affirmative action full stop.
I didn't say anything about affirmative action, I said "diversity goals". Diversity goals can be met without considering gender/race. For instance, improving recruiting pipelines to ensure they are accessible to folks of all backgrounds has an effect of increasing diversity of candidates without making individual hiring/selection decisions based on gender/race. Changing the culture of an organization can make it more appealing to underrepresented populations without making individual hiring/selection decisions based on gender/race.
At an individual level, gender/race discrimination is illegal, and it should be. Saying that a population of two people must have gender/race characteristics requires selecting people at least partially based on their gender/race.
posted by saeculorum at 9:39 AM on March 26 [1 favorite]
I didn't say anything about affirmative action, I said "diversity goals". Diversity goals can be met without considering gender/race. For instance, improving recruiting pipelines to ensure they are accessible to folks of all backgrounds has an effect of increasing diversity of candidates without making individual hiring/selection decisions based on gender/race. Changing the culture of an organization can make it more appealing to underrepresented populations without making individual hiring/selection decisions based on gender/race.
At an individual level, gender/race discrimination is illegal, and it should be. Saying that a population of two people must have gender/race characteristics requires selecting people at least partially based on their gender/race.
posted by saeculorum at 9:39 AM on March 26 [1 favorite]
And the prior system of "we're race and gender neutral" always resulted in fairness to non-white christian males right? So just going back to the good old days should work our great for all.
Cause white male surpremcy was never a problem before all this woke DEI stuff right?
And when the magas select two white male christians I bet you'll be right back here saying they obviously were the most qualified for this job....
posted by WatTylerJr at 9:59 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]
Cause white male surpremcy was never a problem before all this woke DEI stuff right?
And when the magas select two white male christians I bet you'll be right back here saying they obviously were the most qualified for this job....
posted by WatTylerJr at 9:59 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]
For Some of Mankind
posted by johnabbe at 10:25 AM on March 26 [6 favorites]
posted by johnabbe at 10:25 AM on March 26 [6 favorites]
Oh for fucks sake.
Men in positions of power do not consider women for any important job unless made to. Same often goes for non white people. We know this. No disingenuous talk about how you don't mind diversity needed.
posted by tiny frying pan at 10:35 AM on March 26 [8 favorites]
Men in positions of power do not consider women for any important job unless made to. Same often goes for non white people. We know this. No disingenuous talk about how you don't mind diversity needed.
posted by tiny frying pan at 10:35 AM on March 26 [8 favorites]
Changing the culture of an organization can make it more appealing to underrepresented populations without making individual hiring/selection decisions based on gender/race.
Sure, Jan. We will solve racism by making organizational culture more appealing to underrepresented populations. That's why they're underrepresented - they're just not applying! I'm sure as soon as they start applying, the definitely not racist people making the hiring decisions will apply their race-neutral, merit-based hiring criteria and voila, diversity. A perfect plan with no flaws. And I'm sure as soon as I find out what "improving recruiting pipelines" means I will be equally excited about that too, because it will definitely work and has definitely not already failed over and over again!
#whentherearenine
posted by prefpara at 11:23 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]
Sure, Jan. We will solve racism by making organizational culture more appealing to underrepresented populations. That's why they're underrepresented - they're just not applying! I'm sure as soon as they start applying, the definitely not racist people making the hiring decisions will apply their race-neutral, merit-based hiring criteria and voila, diversity. A perfect plan with no flaws. And I'm sure as soon as I find out what "improving recruiting pipelines" means I will be equally excited about that too, because it will definitely work and has definitely not already failed over and over again!
#whentherearenine
posted by prefpara at 11:23 AM on March 26 [3 favorites]
"Scientists with the Space Medicine Team at the European Space Agency calculated that the average female astronaut requires 26% fewer calories, 29% less oxygen, and 18% less water than the average male. ... [an all-female] crew would require considerably less support and allow for a smaller spacecraft."
On merit, the majority of astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts should be women.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 11:30 AM on March 26 [8 favorites]
On merit, the majority of astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts should be women.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 11:30 AM on March 26 [8 favorites]
> On merit, the majority of astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts should be women.
And submariners
posted by Xoder at 12:15 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
And submariners
posted by Xoder at 12:15 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
If you're going to choose astronauts based on lift-off weight, calorie, oxygen, and water consumption, by rights all astronauts should be dwarves.
posted by Soliloquy at 1:57 PM on March 26
posted by Soliloquy at 1:57 PM on March 26
> If you're going to choose astronauts based on lift-off weight, calorie, oxygen, and water consumption, by rights all astronauts should be dwarves
Terry Gilliam for director of NASA!
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 3:36 PM on March 26
Terry Gilliam for director of NASA!
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 3:36 PM on March 26
Interesting how that went straight to a boisterous kids' film instead of a discussion of the efficiencies of sending people with the same brainpower but smaller bodies into orbit. Well, that's just how stereotypes work. Thanks for the demonstration.
posted by Soliloquy at 3:48 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
posted by Soliloquy at 3:48 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
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posted by tclark at 7:50 PM on March 25 [4 favorites]