• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Why do kids want to be Astronauts? <essay adv>

V

vesper39

Member
So I'm writing an essay on American Culture and how specific events have shaped American Culture. I have decided to write about Space Advancements such as First Space Shuttle Launch, First Man in Space, Landing on the Moon etc.

Unfortunately, being born in the late 80's I never got to experience first hand on how these events have shaped American Culture.

I just have a few questions for those that did live through the era where shit was being sent to space.

1) Why is there the general consensus for kids "dreaming" to be astronauts when they grow up? Do you think this ideal has died down?

2) How do you think American Culture has changed from these Space Events? (ie, more sci-fi movies, novels etc.)

3) Do you feel the Government should fund for NASA's space projects? What if its funded by private companies?

4) Any events or articles/blogs that you might know to help further expand my idea on this essay!

I'm still brainstorming so any help or criticism is greatly appreciated 🙂
 
vesper39 said:
1) Why is there the general consensus for kids "dreaming" to be astronauts when they grow up? Do you think this ideal has died down?

2) How do you think American Culture has changed from these Space Events? (ie, more sci-fi movies, novels etc.)

3) Do you feel the Government should fund for NASA's space projects? What if its funded by private companies?

4) Any events or articles/blogs that you might know to help further expand my idea on this essay!

I'm still brainstorming so any help or criticism is greatly appreciated 🙂
Click to expand...

1- I do think this has died down, granted I was born in the early 90's, but even since then I feel it has died down due to a lack of media coverage of actual launched and stuff.

2- Obviously kids are influenced by movies/TV. Unfortunately most of it is complete bullshit

3- I feel there should be some government funding, though privatization would definitely help advance technology quicker (and it might get me a job sooner :thumbsup: )

PM me if you have any questions. I go to a college where big kids turn in to astronauts fairly often.
 
Its not just American kids. We've been watching the Up series lately, which is about British kids and it seems like about half of them wanted to be astronauts. But the first film did take place in 1964.
 
PingSpike said:
Its not just American kids. We've been watching the Up series lately, which is about British kids and it seems like about half of them wanted to be astronauts. But the first film did take place in 1964.
Click to expand...

I want to learn about the moon and all that!
 
American kids wanted to be explorers and go into space due to the large amount of media coverage. Popular sci-fi shows and the "space race" helped to fuel this as well as the lack of materialism and the "me" culture that arose in the 80's. Once that happened, as well as the space shuttle tragedy and various reports of government inefficiencies, interest seemed to die down. Once the internet became mainstream, most of the excitement was the "virtual world."
 
I live close enough to see the space shuttle launch every now and then. I'm not talking about at the actual site of the launch, but all through elementary/middle/high school I could see the trail of vapor following the shuttle and a little speck of bright light leading it if I looked up at the sky at the right moment.

Despite that, I never considered being an astronaut. Always wanted to be an inventor (stumbled upon engineering when I realized inventor isn't an actual job).

I think a huge portion of kids realize it ain't happening with these two requirements:

1) Perfect vision
2) College degree in engineering/science

and for the fatties 🙂p)

3) Peak physical condition
 
gophins72 said:
American kids wanted to be explorers and go into space due to the large amount of media coverage. Popular sci-fi shows and the "space race" helped to fuel this as well as the lack of materialism and the "me" culture that arose in the 80's. Once that happened, as well as the space shuttle tragedy and various reports of government inefficiencies, interest seemed to die down. Once the internet became mainstream, most of the excitement was the "virtual world."
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I think that hits the spot.

Could someone explain what the "me" culture in the 80s was like?

I love the comparison to today's digital age though. Things sure have changed.
 
I never understood the whole wanting to be an Astronaut thing. When I was a small kid I wanted to grow up and be the 4th member of Run DMC
 
they probably figure out it's not gonna happen.

i'm a great engineering student in pretty good shape and i would still have like a 20 in 20,000 chance of even entering an astronaut group.
 
Sumguy said:
I live close enough to see the space shuttle launch every now and then. I'm not talking about at the actual site of the launch, but all through elementary/middle/high school I could see the trail of vapor following the shuttle and a little speck of bright light leading it if I looked up at the sky at the right moment.

Despite that, I never considered being an astronaut. Always wanted to be an inventor (stumbled upon engineering when I realized inventor isn't an actual job).

I think a huge portion of kids realize it ain't happening with these two requirements:

1) Perfect vision
2) College degree in engineering/science

and for the fatties 🙂p)

3) Peak physical condition
Click to expand...

I thought it was even more than that list. Don't you have to be a successful test pilot and have a PHD level education? They're basically cut from a higher quality breed of human than slugs such as myself.

Its sort of sad when all the kids were saying they wanted to be an astronaut, knowing virtually none of them would be. I mean if they say "I want to be a fire fighter!" they could likely actually do that. No one had said "Sorry kid, you wear glasses so pick again!" or "Not with that B in math."

Some one at least told the British kids in Up, by 14 I don't think any one of them wanted to be an astronaut anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top