iPod Generation Indifferent to Space Exploration

An anonymous reader writes "CNN tells us that today's young adults are no longer excited at the possibility of space exploration: 'The 2004 and 2006 surveys by Dittmar Associates Inc. revealed high levels of indifference among 18- to 25-year-olds toward manned trips to the moon and Mars. The space shuttle program is slated to end in 2010 after construction of the international space station is completed with 13 more shuttle flights. The recent 13-day mission by Discovery's seven astronauts was part of that long-running construction job.' As a result, NASA's budget will include a greater amount of public relations spending."

Sounds Fair

[Anonymous Coward]

I think that I am in the Space Exploration generation, and I am indifferent to iPods.

iPod Generation?

[garcia]

There is no such thing as the "iPod Generation". Do not go and make up a name for that group just because you need to use the word iPod a certain number of times per day on the front page.

I certainly couldn't care less about space exploration (and I'm just barely outside of that demographic. I always thought it was a waste of time and energy to do a manned Mars exploration. Let's get the moon and space station finished first -- we've already started afterall.

After that, end the programs and use the money right here.

iPod generation?? WTF

[Anonymous Coward]

OK, so the iPod came out in 2001...it's now 2006/2007...so the iPod generation can only contain people who are five or six years old
DAMN those pre-schoolers! Wrecking space exploration...next thing you know, they'll want to exclude people with "cooties" from playing with their toys.

TDz.

Re:iPod Generation?

[gEvil (beta)]

TFA's title is "NASA's vision lost on Web generation," which is still stupid and meaningless, but at least it's stupid and meaningless without dragging an overhyped brand name into it.

NASA's Vision Lost on Web 2.0 Generation

Ahhhh, much better...

Re:They need a reason to care

[j00r0m4nc3r]

They'll care about it when they run out of places on Earth to build Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts franchises

The solution is obvious...

[LighterShadeOfBlack]

...land an iPod on Mars.

Stop calling us the iPod generation.

[Red Samurai]

It's fucking insulting. I don't have an iPod, and I fucking hate the iPod. And regarding space exploration: show us something new instead of reporting "OMGWTFLOLBBQ there may or may not be water on Mars!!one" every two minutes, and you may have us interested.

Re:iPod Generation?

[Dunbal]

Where would we be now if Columbus was told not to go on an expedition, because the European youth were apathetic to exploration?

      Crushed under the heels of our Aztec overlords after their successful invasion and world conquest in 1879?

      That's usually what happens to me when I play civilization, anyway...the bastards :)

Re:well, except...

[b0s0z0ku]

And I, for one, would volunteer to send you there!

Thanks! We need more competent navigators and drive system engineers. Please send me your resume - do you have experience in hydroponic agriculture as well? It ought to be an interesting trip.

-b.

Re:They need a reason to care

[nizo]

They'll care about it when it's practical for some of them to take a trip into space or to the Moon.

Maybe NASA could drum up interest by giving travelers to the moon free iTunes store credit for each flight?

Re:This is possibly insightful

[whitehatlurker]

I knew there was a reason why my MP3 player is a SANSA. It's not that I'm cheap, it's that I support space exploration.