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NASA Scientists to Share Ideas at SETIcon Gathering
"NASA scientists will join space experts, celebrities and science fiction writers to discuss science, entertainment and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the SETI Institute, Mountain View, Calif., at the SETIcon, Aug. 13-15, 2010 at The Hyatt Regency Santa Clara House, 5101 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, Calif."
Keith's note: Alas, even though scientists engaged in SETI can scour the heavens, across many light years using exquisite, cutting-edge radio astronomy equipment, yet as far as I can tell, neither they (or ARC PAO) know how to webcast a conference to humans on Earth using a laptop and commonly available software. I did this from Everest Base Camp for crying out loud.
NASA Exploration Systems Directorate Commercial Crew Planning Status Forum
"NASA will present an overview of common themes captured from industry responses provided to NASA's Commercial Crew Initiative Request for Information (RFI) published on May 21, 2010. The forum will include a general discussion of how these common themes are being addressed by NASA; presentation of the insight/oversight philosophy; and a question and answer session. The event will be conducted on August 19, 2010, at NASA Headquarters, James E. Webb Auditorium, 300 E Street SW, Washington DC from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. NASA will broadcast the forum live on NASA TV and online via webcast. TV and Web viewers will have the opportunity to submit online questions and comments during the forum."
Keith's note: Ah great, one week advanced notice. But at least they will be webcasting and broadcasting the event - with online interaction as well.
I once had a very brief exchange with Wayne Hale about the shortcomings of NASA PIOs. I got nowhere.
As a technology journalist for more than 30 years, I have seen some bad PR shops, but NASA's is now among the worst. It is not only underfunded, but misguided in spending the money it does have. NASA TV for example, has some of the most mind-numbing content in the history of video. Hearings that should be broadcast widely are ignored or left to CSPAN. Science outreach programming is dumbed down. And on and on.
Hale said he hated to hear the PIOs criticized because they did the best with what they had. No they don't. I could do a better job of evangelizing for space/NASA with a telephone and a Rolodex than these people do with millions and all the tools of the Internet.
Just consider how badly the rollout of the Obama space proposals (like 'em or not) was handled and ask how much worse could it get. Answer: Not much.
Are there good people in the public info office? Yes. Do they feel like they are working for the Post Office? Probably.
Has it always been this bad? Nope.
I well remember a crack team of PIOs at the old Electronics Research Center in Cambridge, MA. It was staffed by a couple of old line reporters, political appointees -- but they did wonderful work.
I say dump the flaks/time-servers and hire some journalists. But do it fast while there is something to preserve.