RIP Neil Armstrong

Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, August 26th, 2012 - 44 comments
Categories: International, science - Tags:

xkcd – makes you think…

44 comments on “RIP Neil Armstrong ”

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  1. millsy 1
    26 August 2012 at 10:19 am

    Imagine if the Apollo program had taken place in this day and age?

    “hard working Americans are tired of their taxes being wasted on the Democrat’s Buck Rogers fantasies”

  2. Colonial Viper 2
    26 August 2012 at 10:42 am

    Global energy depletion and decline of empire…

  3. Maui 3
    26 August 2012 at 10:45 am

    Does anyone know what sort of health insurance plans they are on ?

  4. joe90 4
    26 August 2012 at 10:48 am

    Contrast the achievements of men like Armstrong with today. America, WTF.

    Bill Nye, the science guy sums it up with Creationism Is Not Appropriate For Children.

  5. marty mars 5
    26 August 2012 at 10:54 am

    RIP Neil – I wrote about Neil in 2009

    Buzz didn’t even take one photo of Neil on the moon – talk about grudges, not one photo. And imagine if you found out that your barber, who cut your hair for years, was sweeping the cuttings and saving them, and now selling single strands.

    I suppose those strands of hair stolen from Neil are worth a bit more now.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5780287/Why-Neil-Armstrong-remains-an-elusive-hero.html

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2009/07/moon-moon.html

  6. Dr Terry 6
    26 August 2012 at 11:05 am

    Creationism is not appropriate for ANYBODY, let alone the children! Yet seemingly intelligent people continue to believe in it. Incredible. I am one Christian who most certainly does believe in evolution with its immutable laws, and I am sure I do not stand alone. Evolutionary theory is perfectly reconcilable with Christian faith, providing Christians take the trouble to do the research whilst applying a bit of intelligence in place of superstition.

    • fnjckg 6.1
      26 August 2012 at 5:52 pm

      seek and find, ask and receive
      ya all know the rest

    • OneTrack 6.2
      26 August 2012 at 7:52 pm

      What about beliefs in “Gaia” or beliefs in “taniwha” or spirits of the land and mountains?

      • Colonial Viper 6.2.1
        26 August 2012 at 7:56 pm

        I’d say that no one pretends that those topics should be taught in school science class as equal to, or replacement for, evolutionary biology.

        • OneTrack 6.2.1.1
          26 August 2012 at 8:21 pm

          I wouldn’t be completely sure that was true. But I do know, nobody lambasts any current politician who states they have those beliefs as we have to be “tolerant” and encourage diversity. But, creationism (and christianity) seems to be in open season and nobody demands tolerance for them.

          • felix 6.2.1.1.1
            26 August 2012 at 8:58 pm

            Actually I don’t think most people really give a fuck what public officials believe as long as it doesn’t overtly affect their job in a way that’s out of step with the general sentiments of the community.

            For example no-one really cares that John Banks (always him eh?) is a dyed-in-the-wool homophobe, but they did care when he used his position as mayor to try to shut down the Hero parade because of his anti-gay beliefs.

            But anyhoo, if you “wouldn’t be completely sure” that no-one pretends that belief in Gaia or Taniwha should be taught in school science class as equal to, or replacement for, evolutionary biology (which I’m pretty sure is what you said) then let’s have some examples.

            For every example you find, I’ll find ten who want “creationism” taught as, or equal to, science.

            You can start, and whoever runs out of examples first loses.

          • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.1.2
            27 August 2012 at 2:26 am

            But, creationism (and christianity) seems to be in open season and nobody demands tolerance for them.

            After centuries of their own intolerance I figure that’s their problem especially considering that that intolerance still continues.

    • Gosman 6.3
      27 August 2012 at 9:14 am

      I have more respect for Creationists than I do for Christian’s who also accept the reality of Evolution. At least the Creationist is logically consistent. The Christian evolutionists tend to ignore some glaring contradictions between the two views, the most notable being at what stage in our evolutionary development did God decide to bestow the blessing of life after death.

      • felix 6.3.1
        27 August 2012 at 9:39 am

        Yeah you don’t care how batshit insane something is as long as it’s “consistent” – no surprises there, and no surprise that the “consistency” of a person’s insanity is worth more to you than how they actually live, behave, and relate to others.

        This is precisely why you and your subhuman views are so consistently ridiculed and ignored.

        • Gosman 6.3.1.1
          27 August 2012 at 10:16 am

          I think belief in a supreme being showing an active interest in an evolved intelligent being on a single planet in the vast universe is batshit insane as is the whole concept of an existence after death. At least the Creationist acknowledges that their belief requires an element of the mystical. The evolution supporting Christian though tends to turn themselves into a theological pretzel trying to reconcile Science with Religion.

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    26 August 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Yep, we need a space program in NZ.

    1.) It’s a hell of a goal
    2.) R&D will take off
    3.) Manufacturing will be reinvigorated
    4.) It’s a hell of a goal.

    • McFlock 8.1
      26 August 2012 at 1:27 pm

      5.) It’s a better idea to reinvigorate the economy than we’ve had in 4 years.

      • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1
        26 August 2012 at 1:50 pm

        It would do that but I think it’s effect on society would be more important. Think of what effect entering the America’s Cup had or even the RWC but instead of having a few thousand people involved and most of those only peripherally as part time administrators you’ve got tens of thousands doing full time work (research and development) that will actually make society better off. And that effect isn’t based upon winning but doing.

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.2
        26 August 2012 at 2:03 pm

        Localised energy industry + public transportation industry/R&D is going to be of far more practical use, and exportable too.

        I also suggest some additional emphasis on NZ defence. We have a lot of coastline and a lot of valuable resources people are eyeing up.

        • Draco T Bastard 8.1.2.1
          26 August 2012 at 2:19 pm

          Localised energy industry + public transportation industry/R&D is going to be of far more practical use, and exportable too.

          Would actually be included – how else do you think we’re going to power a friggen rocket? That LOX&H doesn’t grow on trees or get delivered by pixies. Space program really doesn’t convey the sheer breadth of R&D needed to get into space.

          I also suggest some additional emphasis on NZ defence.

          I’ve said before that NZs best defence is missiles which happen to use the same technology.

    • fnjckg 8.2
      26 August 2012 at 5:54 pm

      gehenna

  9. Tiger Mountain 9
    26 August 2012 at 1:08 pm

    It was lotto like odds that the mission would actually land, and then be able to return, with the minimal computing ‘power’ (2.048 MHz CPU according to several sources) of the Apollo guidance system. But it did what it had to do. Mathematics, physics and ‘space age’ materials were the winners on the day along with Armstrong.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    26 August 2012 at 2:11 pm

    And some amusement.

  11. gobsmacked 11
    26 August 2012 at 2:50 pm

    The leaders have spoken:

    John Key: “I am sad to hear of the death of Sir Neil Armstrong. He was a great New Zealander and a personal friend. President Obama introduced us. I can’t remember 1981, but I vividly remember 1969, watching television in our state house (where I grew up), as the rocket landed and Armstrong told us he had a dream. We all share that dream today.”

    David Shearer: “I completely agree with the Prime Minister. Also, Armstrong wasn’t on a sickness benefit. Just saying.”

  12. Brett Dale 12
    26 August 2012 at 3:53 pm

    RIP Neil Armstrong, you will always be remembered.

    • William Joyce 12.1
      26 August 2012 at 8:07 pm

      “The report of my death was an exaggeration”

      I know the Neil Young was tripping in the 60’s but I doubt he was an astronaut!
      Link

  13. Herodotus 13
    26 August 2012 at 5:25 pm

    I suppose we will now see a rerun of Capricorn 1 and The Right Stuff
    http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/198444/Capricorn-One-Original-Trailer-.html
    One of an amazing group of men
    RIP Neil, sad to also hear about Neil Young as well. Such a sad day to loose 2 great Neils !!

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