An evening with Buzz Aldrin
Discussion
I hadn't realised he flew 66 missions in the Korean War - F86s IIRC. His father was well connected in aviation and knew Goddard, Lindbergh and Billy Mitchell. Unfortunately such glimpses of extra interest were snuffed out by the manager (who to be fair had only an hour).
I was surprised at the audience demographics - mostly 20-40 and as far as I could tell, exclusively white. Presume ethnics have little interest in the subject?
I was surprised at the audience demographics - mostly 20-40 and as far as I could tell, exclusively white. Presume ethnics have little interest in the subject?
A perceptive observation.
I think the Apollo era astronauts are not looked on as role models or heroes by those who do not fit the ethnic background of the astronauts themselves.
However, the fact that the audience was made up of many who were not even born at the time of Apollo does indicate that modern youngsters are perhaps beginning to show a revised interest in spaceflight, and manned spaceflight in particular. The fact that they "missed out" on the drama of that era perhaps means they are longing for something of a similar style to happen in THEIR lifetimes.
I am very encouraged by people like SpaceX which seems to have a very young and enthusiastic workforce. Even NASA these days has a lot of sub 40 year olds working in it - and they want to do something spectacular in space too - just like their parents' or grandparents' generation did.
I think the Apollo era astronauts are not looked on as role models or heroes by those who do not fit the ethnic background of the astronauts themselves.
However, the fact that the audience was made up of many who were not even born at the time of Apollo does indicate that modern youngsters are perhaps beginning to show a revised interest in spaceflight, and manned spaceflight in particular. The fact that they "missed out" on the drama of that era perhaps means they are longing for something of a similar style to happen in THEIR lifetimes.
I am very encouraged by people like SpaceX which seems to have a very young and enthusiastic workforce. Even NASA these days has a lot of sub 40 year olds working in it - and they want to do something spectacular in space too - just like their parents' or grandparents' generation did.
Eric Mc said:
However, the fact that the audience was made up of many who were not even born at the time of Apollo does indicate that modern youngsters are perhaps beginning to show a revised interest in spaceflight, and manned spaceflight in particular. The fact that they "missed out" on the drama of that era perhaps means they are longing for something of a similar style to happen in THEIR lifetimes.
I can't say, but it was obvious that the IQ and education level in and around the Sheldonian was definitely above average.Someone said that there was a plan to get a man on the moon by 2020, but I can't think that's possible...
NoNeed said:
I got my daughter tickets for tonights talk, I just wish I was not working. 
Just printed my tickets off for tonight; I work in Leeds and live in Rossendale so not far from home to the venue, but I've come to work on my motorbike *just in case* there's a M62 crash - that would totally scupper my evening!Simpo Two said:
I can't say, but it was obvious that the IQ and education level in and around the Sheldonian was definitely above average.
Someone said that there was a plan to get a man on the moon by 2020, but I can't think that's possible...
No chance. The vehicles required to put humans on the moon simply don't exist at the moment and if the go ahead to build them was given tomorrow, it would take more than four years to get it organised.Someone said that there was a plan to get a man on the moon by 2020, but I can't think that's possible...
2030 is doable though - and we might see the Chinese there.
Dog Star said:
NoNeed said:
I got my daughter tickets for tonights talk, I just wish I was not working.
Just printed my tickets off for tonight; I work in Leeds and live in Rossendale so not far from home to the venue, but I've come to work on my motorbike *just in case* there's a M62 crash - that would totally scupper my evening!
Yep, it was good that. He's still got great energy at 86. He needs to fire someone in his support team though, that business with the laptop before he came on was amateur hour.
Small girl in the audience: "Was it very tiring going aaaall the way to the moon and back?"
Buzz: "Well no...we didn't have to walk"
I hope I'm able to go scuba diving and catch a ride on the fin of a whale shark when I'm 80.
Small girl in the audience: "Was it very tiring going aaaall the way to the moon and back?"
Buzz: "Well no...we didn't have to walk"
I hope I'm able to go scuba diving and catch a ride on the fin of a whale shark when I'm 80.
Edited by CrutyRammers on Friday 3rd June 09:25
a boardman said:
I enjoyed the night and will be going to the spaceman Mike Massimino talk in October.
but my battery went flat on my phone so I never got my pic taken when I got my book signed.
and who was the guy getting 15 copies of each book signed
The heli pilots weren't too chuffed with him and the others doing that!but my battery went flat on my phone so I never got my pic taken when I got my book signed.
and who was the guy getting 15 copies of each book signed
And who was the other woman at the signing table? Was that Judy Rice? I was going to ask but got sidelined by a question about Christina's pink hair colouring and her moaning cos Buzz didn't like it blue "Yeah, damn right" he replied.
a boardman said:
I enjoyed the night and will be going to the spaceman Mike Massimino talk in October.
but my battery went flat on my phone so I never got my pic taken when I got my book signed.
and who was the guy getting 15 copies of each book signed
Yeah the missus and I are thinking of going along to that one, could be interesting.but my battery went flat on my phone so I never got my pic taken when I got my book signed.
and who was the guy getting 15 copies of each book signed
How people have the nerve to take armfuls of books up like that is beyond me, I'd be way too embarrassed.
Would have loved it to have been longer, he only just seems to be getting going at points.
An enjoyable evening and worth the trip.
Despite it being relatively short I still learnt a few new things from it. Looking forward to getting through the books!
The sarcastic round of applause as the guy with the huge stack of books left!
An enjoyable evening and worth the trip.
Despite it being relatively short I still learnt a few new things from it. Looking forward to getting through the books!
The sarcastic round of applause as the guy with the huge stack of books left!
CrutyRammers said:
How people have the nerve to take armfuls of books up like that is beyond me, I'd be way too embarrassed.
Planning to eBay them in a few years perhaps? But Buzz signs so much stuff I can't think it's a moneyspinner. I'm just happy with a book signed by a bloke that's walked on the moon - which trumps even Eric Brown I think.That's it; I waited and queued instead of getting a pre-signed copy just for the sheer privilege of seeing him sign MY book; it's something I will treasure forever; we will not see the likes of him again in our lifetimes and I suspect the likelihood of running into another moonwalker in the north is vanishingly small - let alone arguably the "best". John Young would, I suspect be the ultimate - the stuff that guy has seen and done just blows anyone else away.
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